Meet Malcolm Marx’s new 41-year-old teammate

Kubota Spears’ double World Cup winner Malcolm Marx will return to Japan in December ahead of the fifth League One season and with the club’s hooker resources bolstered by a surprise new signing. 

Last season’s runners-up, who boast arguably the deepest talent pool in Japan’s top-flight, announced the arrival of ex-Japan international and veteran hooker Yoshimitsu Yasue on 1 October.  

Yasue, who turned 41 in August, left Kurt-Lee Arendse’s former club Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars in the summer and was a free agent.  

Springboks star Marx, 31, who starts for his country against Japan and his club colleagues Shinobu Fujiwara, Keijiro Tamefusa, Tyler Paul and Faulua Makisi in London on Saturday, has been a prolific marksman in Japan - with 36 tries in 49 games - and recently signed a contract extension through to June 2027.

Marx leads Kubota’s pool of hookers and has helped to nurture Japan star Hayate Era, 24, who, having won his first cap against Wales in July, started against the Wallabies on Saturday and starred in his country’s narrow loss at Tokyo’s National Stadium. 

Frans Ludeke has further options for the number two jersey with Katsuya Okuma, 29, whose yet to make an appearance in League One, and 25-year-old Rikuto Fukuda who made two appearances last season. 

Picture courtesy of Kubota Spears

Yasue, who turned pro with IBM Japan (now known as BIG BLUES Yachiyo Bay Tokyo) in 2007, has become the fifth hooker on Kubota’s books and has realistic playing ambitions after making eight appearances last season. 

The former Kobe Steelers standout was on the pitch for 259 minutes last season and made 19 carries, gained 26 metres, won four turnovers and scored one try. 

Kubota Spears General Manager and former lock Hironori Maekawa, who at 40 is a year younger than the club’s only new summer signing, explained how the shock signing came about.

"When Erasmus Skalk left the team (to join Toyota Verblitz in the summer), we needed to strengthen our hooker position, and we had planned to have another Category B player join us,” said Maekawa. 

“However, that player got injured while participating in a tournament overseas, and we received a call from his agent saying he would not be able to join us this season, which put us in a difficult position.” 

"I had heard from his (Yasue’s) agent that when his contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars expired, he had a strong desire to play for the Spears. So when I contacted him, he immediately agreed to join us.” 

Fan favourite Yasue's unveiling

Yasue, who is now back playing in his home prefecture of Chiba for the first time since leaving IBM Japan in 2009, said: “I'm Yasue, a 41-year-old rookie!"

"I'd be happy if you would support me with such enthusiasm. I'll push my old body to the limit and do my best!" 

Yasue was asked why he decided to join Kubota. 

“In my 19 years, the only thing I haven't achieved is winning a championship,” said the Top League and League One stalwart. 

“I've been to the finals before, but I want to end my career as a rugby player with the experience of winning a championship. I was touched that Spears accepted me, and I wanted to risk my life for the team." 

"I feel like I can bring something to the table in terms of experience. For example, being able to discern the intricacies of the game. Knowing the timing of 'if I play this way at this time, I'll be able to secure a win' is something that doesn't happen overnight. I personally feel that consistently playing at a high level is an important part of the Spears' journey to victory." 

Kubota travel to play Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers on Saturday in their latest pre-season game in a dress rehearsal for their season-opening match against their fellow title rivals on 13 December.   

Fukuda starts at hooker on Saturday with Okuma among the replacements.  

Yasue, who is now rubbing shoulders with players such as Bernard Foley, Shaun Stevenson and Bryn Hall, may have to be patient for his debut but his underdog story and every appearance for his new and last club as a professional will be one of the highlights of the 2025-2026 season.