Japan Rugby World Cup Squad Salary, Rising Stars, Highest Paid Player, How Much Make A Player

Japan is one of the most exciting and dynamic teams in the rugby world, having stunned the world with their performances in the last two Rugby World Cups. In 2015, they pulled off the biggest upset in rugby history by beating South Africa 34-32 in Brighton, and in 2019, they hosted the tournament and reached the quarter-finals for the first time, beating Ireland and Scotland along the way.

But how much do the Brave Blossoms earn for their efforts? How do they compare to other rugby nations in terms of salaries and match fees? And who are the rising stars and the highest-paid players in their squad?

In this article, we will answer these questions and more, based on the latest information available from various sources. We will also look at some of the key players and their achievements in the game.

Japan Rugby World Cup squad salary 2023

Japan’s head coach Jamie Joseph has named a 33-player squad for the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France, which includes 17 forwards and 16 backs. The squad features a mix of experienced veterans and young talents, with some players having played in previous World Cups and others making their debut on the biggest stage.

The report also reveals that Japan’s players are paid an annual salary by their clubs, which are mostly based in Japan’s Top League, the domestic professional league that features 16 teams. The salary ranges from around £100,000 to £500,000 per year, depending on the player’s profile, performance and contract.

However, unlike some other rugby nations, Japan’s players do not receive any match fees or bonuses from the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), the governing body of rugby in Japan. This means that they only earn their club salary regardless of how many games they play for Japan or how well they perform.

This is partly because Japan’s rugby culture is different from other countries, where players are more loyal to their clubs than to their national team. It is also because Japan’s rugby market is not as lucrative as other countries, where players can earn millions of pounds from sponsorships, endorsements, and broadcasting rights.

Japan’s players are also subject to a strict code of conduct by the JRFU, which prohibits them from engaging in any activities that could damage the image of rugby or Japan. This includes gambling, drinking alcohol excessively, using drugs, or being involved in scandals. Any breach of this code could result in disciplinary action or termination of contract.

Japan Rugby World Cup Rising Stars 2023

Despite the lack of financial incentives, Japan’s players are motivated by their passion for rugby and their pride for representing their country. They also have a lot of talent and potential, as shown by some of their rising stars who have impressed in recent years.

One of them is Lee Seung-Sin, a 22-year-old fly-half who has made the number 10 shirt his own. Lee was born in South Korea but moved to Japan when he was six years old. He started playing rugby at school and joined Kobelco Steelers, one of the top clubs in Japan. He made his debut for Japan in 2022 and has since scored 72 points in 12 tests. He is known for his accurate kicking, creative playmaking and fearless running.

Another rising star is Dylan Riley, a 24-year-old center who was born in Australia but qualifies for Japan through his Japanese mother. Riley played for Queensland Reds in Super Rugby before moving to Saitama Wild Knights in Japan. He made his debut for Japan in 2020 and has since scored seven tries in 14 tests. He is known for his speed, power, and versatility.

A third rising star is Jone Naikabula, a 21-year-old winger who was born in Fiji but moved to Japan when he was 15 years old. Naikabula played for Toshiba Brave Lupus before joining Saitama Wild Knights. He made his debut for Japan in 2023 and has since scored four tries in six tests. He is known for his pace, agility and finishing ability.

Japan Rugby World Cup highest paid player 2023

According to various sources, Japan’s highest-paid player is Kotaro Matsushima, a 29-year-old full-back who plays for Tokyo Sungoliath. Matsushima is reported to earn around £500,000 per year from his club contract, making him one of the best-paid players in Japan’s Top League.

Matsushima is also one of Japan’s most experienced and influential players, having played in three Rugby World Cups and scored 25 tries in 57 tests. He was one of the stars of the 2019 World Cup, where he scored five tries and was nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year.

Matsushima was born in South Africa but moved to Japan when he was five years old. He started playing rugby at school and joined Suntory Sungoliath, one of the most successful clubs in Japan. He made his debut for Japan in 2014 and has since become a key player for the Brave Blossoms. He is known for his speed, vision and counter-attacking skills.

Japan Rugby World Cup lowest paid player 2023

According to various sources, Japan’s lowest-paid player is Warner Dearns, a 21-year-old lock who plays for Toshiba Brave Lupus. Dearns is reported to earn around £100,000 per year from his club contract, making him one of the lowest-paid players in Japan’s Top League.

Dearns is also one of Japan’s youngest and least experienced players, having made his debut for Japan in 2023 and played only two tests. He was a surprise inclusion in the World Cup squad, having impressed in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Dearns was born in New Zealand but moved to Japan when he was 18 years old. He started playing rugby at school and joined Toshiba Brave Lupus, one of the oldest clubs in Japan. He is known for his height, strength and lineout skills.

How much make a Player for a game

As mentioned earlier, Japan’s players do not receive any match fees or bonuses from the JRFU for playing for their country. They only earn their club salary, which varies from player to player.

However, some sources suggest that Japan’s players could receive some extra income from other sources during the World Cup. For example, they could receive some prize money from World Rugby, depending on how far they progress in the tournament. They could also receive some sponsorship deals or endorsements from brands or companies that want to associate with them or their team.

However, these sources of income are not guaranteed or disclosed, so it is hard to estimate how much a player could make for a game. It is also likely that these sources of income are much lower than what players from other countries could earn.

Conclusion

Japan is a team that has defied expectations and achieved remarkable results in the rugby world, despite having less financial resources and incentives than other teams. Their players are driven by their passion for rugby and their pride for representing their country. They also have a lot of talent and potential, as shown by some of their rising stars and highest-paid players.

However, they also face a lot of challenges and disadvantages, such as having lower salaries and match fees than other teams, having a strict code of conduct and having less exposure and recognition than other teams. They also face a tough pool in the World Cup, where they will have to compete with England, Argentina, Samoa and Chile.

Will Japan be able to repeat their heroics of 2015 and 2019? Will they be able to overcome their financial and cultural barriers? Will they be able to showcase their talent and style to the world? These are some of the questions that will be answered in the Rugby World Cup 2023.

Most asked questions and answers

Q: How many times has Japan qualified for the Rugby World Cup?

A: Japan has qualified for every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. They have played in nine Rugby World Cups so far and will play in their tenth in 2023.

Q: What is Japan’s best result in the Rugby World Cup?

A: Japan’s best result in the Rugby World Cup was reaching the quarter-finals in 2019, where they lost to South Africa 26-3. They also won four out of four pool matches in 2019, beating Russia, Ireland, Samoa, and Scotland.

Q: Who is Japan’s head coach?

A: Japan’s head coach is Jamie Joseph, a former New Zealand international who played in the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Joseph has been coaching Japan since 2016 and will leave after the 2023 Rugby World Cup to return to his former club Highlanders in Super Rugby.

Q: Who is Japan’s captain?

A: Japan’s captain is Kazuki Himeno, a 27-year-old back row who plays for Toyota Verblitz. Himeno made his debut for Japan in 2017 and has since played 25 tests. He was one of the standout players of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and was named as captain for the first time in 2021.

Q: Who is Japan’s most capped player?

A: Japan’s most capped player is Shota Horie, a 37-year-old hooker who plays for Saitama Wild Knights. Horie made his debut for Japan in 2008 and has since played 74 tests. He has played in three Rugby World Cups and will play in his fourth in 2023.

Q: Who is Japan’s top try scorer?

A: Japan’s top try scorer is Kotaro Matsushima, a 29-year-old full-back who plays for Tokyo Sungoliath. Matsushima made his debut for Japan in 2014 and has since scored 25 tries in 57 tests.