Want to wear the No.6 jersey from the opening to the Championship!

One day at the practice game in this preseason, Ryan's jersey number has changed from No.12 to No.6 ! His changing position from backs to forward was surprised to everybody.
The ex-national star has changed the position this season, Why, why now???

◆New Position

—— You just made a debuted at the practice game against Mitsubishi as a new position, how were you doing today? How did you feel?

It always depends on the game for how I felt....But I think I did pretty good performance today, since this was my second game as forward. It was fun.

—— Do you think your performance getting better?

I think so. May training is very intense and also need more detail training as well so I think it is very good so overall. I am getting used to be as a forward.

—— Doesn't forward use more upper body?

A little bit. It does not change that much from Backs.

—— What makes you challenge to change the position?

I had been thinking about it during the off season and consulting with OX (Naoya Okubo) and other coaches. I wanted to do something new, refreshing and like to contact so I decided to become a forward.

—— Were you satisfied with your backs performance till last season?

Yes, As a Suntory Style, except the set piece, there is not a big difference between backs and forwards for my work. However I need to learn more detail and skills for scrum, I need to have more experience as forward. That is the new challenge and I am very fascinating about it...

◆Very Fun!!!

—— Are you enjoying the new position as forwards?

Yes, very much. There is a lot of new things and very interesting!

—— Who or what is your goal as Forwards ? What is your aim for the position?

I am not sure if I could be selected in National's but it I have a chance, I would be very happy.

—— Since George Smith was position No.6 till last season, how do you feel about your performance compare with his?

I could not compare with his style. The type of performance is different and he has been playing as Flanker for a long time.... So I could not compare any of it. Also it's too soon....

—— What is your sales point or charm point of your new position as No.6?

I would say... running skills, communications, physical, tackle, kicking style etc... skills like I learned from backs. Other No.6 players do not have his so if I can use this as my performance.... And other thing, if I get more experiences in Set Piece, I would be better or accepted as No.6 player.

◆I could do this!!

—— Would you still be playing as backs??

No, I only do forward. However if the team need backs, I will be backs! And I will play as forward but also I will do the goal kick!

—— The Set Piece will be your subject then?

The detail skills for Set Piece are very important for me and this is my main thing. Making decision and how you play as your position is more about getting experiences so I want to get the experiences as much as I could. So I want to play as No.6 from the opening game. In general, the forward keeps playing longer as a player since I changed to the position, I might be able to play longer!

—— Are you planning to gain some weight?

Since backs are more running, I might add 1 or 2 more kg. But if I get a chance, of course I will run.

—— We, Fans will love to see that! Looking forward to that!

Thanks, I will!

—— What is the other interesting thing as a forward besides challenging the new position?

When I was in backs, I did not know about forwards but now I do see and notice a lot of thing now about forward, that's very interesting!

—— Now you have played 2 times as a forward in the practice game, how do you feel about playing as a forward? Do you think you will be good at it?

I thought I could do play except Set Piece. Then I played for the first time, it was not good... but my second game as a forward, I realized and am able to say confidently that I could do this! We still have few more the practice game so I like to get more experience for that!

—— In the End, What is your goal for this year?

As a team, of course two trophies! Moreover I would like to wear the No.6 jersey when we get it!