Labuschagne on 10 years in Japan: I'm truly grateful

Former Japan captain Lappies Labuschagne will make his 50th League One appearance and 100th Kubota Spears appearance when he makes his long-awaited first-team return against Mitsubishi Dynaboars on Saturday.

Labuschagne, 37, has overcome a number of injury setbacks to return to League One duty for the first time since their loss to Toshiba Brave Lupus in last year’s final.

His career has gone in a completely different direction to what he envisaged growing up but he has embraced every opportunity along the way and left a lasting impression as a club and national team captain thousands of miles from his homeland.

The Pretoria-born flanker was within touching distance of representing the Springboks in 2013.

He was named in South Africa’s 2013 summer squad alongside fellow Test rookie Siya Kolisi but did not feature in games against Italy, Scotland and Samoa.

Then-Cheetahs back-row Labuschagne decided to move on to the Bulls before leaving South Africa to pen a deal with ambitious Kubota in 2016.

Kubota’s tenacious newcomer won plaudits for his Top League displays and was picked for Japan in 2019 after fulfilling the then-three-year residency requirement.

Labuschagne played in all five of Japan’s games at their home World Cup in 2019 and deputised for Michael Leitch as captain in the wins against Ireland and Samoa.

He was appointed by Jamie Joseph as captain in 2021 and won the last of his 19 caps for his adopted country in their 2023 World Cup pool stage loss to Argentina in Nantes.

Now, after 10 years in Funabashi, Labuschagne looks back on his decade in Japan with humility and gratitude.

"I'm truly grateful,” said the fan favourite.

"Looking back on it all, the first thing that comes to mind is gratitude to God for giving me this opportunity. And gratitude to the Spears club for inviting me here. I'm just so grateful to all the players, their families and coaches I've met along the way."

Labuschagne has watched from the sidelines this season as Frans Ludeke’s side has powered past sides scoring 356 points in just eight games while also boasting the second best defence in the league having only shipped 164 points.

Kubota are second in the table with seven wins from eight games and Labuschagne is eager to finally be able to play a role in the club’s title tilt.

"When you spend so much time on the sidelines, you appreciate being on the field at all. Even at practice, it's nice to be in the action and not just watching from the sidelines. I'm grateful to be back on the field and I really enjoyed it."

The Funabashi outfit boasts one of the competition’s deepest squads and the 37-year-old feels a sense of duty to contribute to the team against Mitsubishi.

"Because of the love, I don't want to let anyone down. There is a deep bond between not only the 23 players on the field, but also everyone in the locker room, including the staff."

The welcome return of Labuschagne, a player who embodies the Kubota spirit, is a timely boost for last season’s runners up and enables them to rotate players as the season reaches the halfway stage next week.

Their fit-again flanker is treating Saturday’s round eight fixture – a personal double milestone – as just another game.

"Because I've been unable to play for a while, I feel the weight of being on the field again. It's a good reminder. There's nothing special about it. I just want to get on the field, enjoy the moment, enjoy the game, and contribute to the team in any way I can."