Rugby is my way

The player who has recently joined Suntory this year, Hrishi is a unique rugby player who came from India and today, we speak to him about Indian rugby culture. He mentioned Rugby as "a teacher to me" and this is his exclusive interview.

◆Every effort you put in comes back to you.

—— Where were you born?

I was born in Mumbai, India. I was there until I moved to overseas.

—— How did you get into rugby?

I didn't have many people playing rugby around me. As I grew up, I played a lot of contact sports. I did Judo for 10 years in high school. I was then lucky to get involved with rugby.

My friend's father used to play rugby. Mumbai has many small rugby club teams. India has a rugby history of about 100 years. When I was 17 years old, my friend's father introduced me to play rugby at nearby club team.

—— How did you feel when you first played rugby?

Firstly, I didn't like it because I've made a lot of mistakes. Like cricket, soccer and other sports it doesn't have a rule that you can't pass the ball forward. So it was very difficult for me not to throw the ball forward. But I got better after playing for a couple of weeks.

Everything you do come back to you and other sports you don't get that. I believe my personality has changed since I played and rugby is the sport which you can be friends with team mates so easily.

Rugby is like a teacher to me. You make instant decisions and take away your fear and also taught me how to live your social life too. It is important to have good relationships with a person next to you and your family gets involved too.

—— What kind of sports have you played other than judo and rugby?

I played cricket, soccer and squash too. Cricket was compulsory. I think I'm good at ball sports.

◆First Indian to play in overseas.

—— What is the Indian rugby population??

We have about 50～70 club teams in India. We didn't have many teams 10 years ago but increasing in the last 10 years.

—— Have you played in the world cup Asian qualifying?

I played for India but we lost it.

—— So you are now 28 years old and were you selected for the Indian national side when you first start playing rugby at 17 years old?

I started playing rugby at age of 17, I represented my country when I was 18. I believe having different sports back ground helped me joining the national side. I also had a natural aggressiveness and had an element to become a rugby player.

I have been playing the national side for 10 years. I have experienced world cup qualifying twice and I have about 15 caps for India.

—— Are there any other Indian rugby players who are currently playing in overseas?

No one else played in overseas so I was the first player to play in overseas. I am really lucky to play in overseas and really proud of myself. I was really lucky to join Suntory. I played for India at Commonwealth games in 2010 and I was selected for sevens team for Indian national side. That was a key moment for me and I got told by New Zealand selectors to come and play in 2011. After playing in NZ, I had an opportunity to play for Kobe Steelers. I had great experience playing in NZ.

—— What have you learned the most whilst playing rugby in India?

I always had a strong feeling of becoming a professional player for any sports I play. Whilst playing in India, I always thought about becoming professional player. But I didn't know how to approach as there weren't any players who were playing in overseas at that time.

—— Have you become professional player when you were playing in NZ?

I was semi professional in NZ, I became pro at Kobe steelers.

◆I'm knocking　on the door

—— How did you get in to Kobe steelers from NZ?

In 2011, Kobe was looking for a player from NZ to play for them and I decided to join Kobe.

—— Why did you choose to come to Japan?

I was thinking to absorb a lot of things and challenge any opportunity arises. Main reason to join Kobe was to become a full time professional player.

—— How did you feel when you come to Japan?

I really enjoyed. I got injured after 3 weeks I joined but I enjoyed a lot of other things and I believe I was fitting in the team.

—— How many games did you play for Kobe?

I got injured earlier on so I only played 4, 5 games for B team. I didn't play in the top league so I would like to play for Suntory. My main target is to play in the top league otherwise I'm not really a pro player.

—— When do you think you can play in the top league?

I think I'm knocking the door at the moment; I will come in if the door is slightly opened.

—— What have you learned while playing in Japan?

Continue to play consistently. You shouldn't play good and then bad.. Basically I think I am a consistent player and understanding what coaches are saying.

◆Brother is playing for Indian under 19 side.

—— I believe you are strict to yourself on the field but how about off the field?

Normally I'm quiet natured person but I can be loud sometimes.

—— Who is your best mate?

I like everyone but I spend a lot of times with front row players. They are funny blokes.

—— Family?

I have younger brother and mother and father. Father is already retired but used to work as a real state agent. My mother is a dentist so my teeth are good. My brother is 20 years old now and also playing rugby at the moment. He was selected for Indian under 19 side last year.

—— You might be able to play together right?

Yes, I'm hoping to play together for Indian national side someday.

—— How did your parents react when you told them that you are going to Japan?

They were really happy about it. But my mother wanted me to become a doctor so when I first started playing rugby, she wasn't happy about it. It took a while to understand but when I represented India, they were happy.

—— Are you married?

No, not yet, I have no plan. (Laugh)

◆Aggressiveness

—— You have played a lot of satellite games and training matches so far but what do you think your strength is?

I believe I'm aggressive in both defensively and as a ball carrier. I like contact play too. I think aggressiveness covers a lot of other things.

—— Have you played in different position?

I'm always playing as back row, I can play any position in back row.

—— What's the most attractive thing about rugby?

It gives me enjoyment. Rugby is the only way to express myself. It's like artist do a paintings, rugby is my way.

—— Do you have the confidence to say that you love the rugby most in a whole Indian population?

I believe a lot of Indian people love rugby so I'm one of them.

—— What do you see the future Indian rugby scene?

We have a lot of people; Indian population is like one billion two hundred million people so Indian rugby future is very bright. If we have something that can spark up the nation, it would be a good chance to evolve. Historically, we've had great players before and there are a lot of talented players coming through these days. I believe we need a lot of support if we want to improve from the situation we are in at the moment.

—— What is your target for this season?

To be selected for starting members and play the game from the start.

—— What do you want your fans to see on the field?

I would like to put my head in to every situation and contribute to the team win. I want to give my best at the position I play.

—— What do you think of yourself?

I think I can adapt things easily. Even if it's a different culture or different language, different rugby style I can adapt to that. I always think I want to success and first step to success is adapting to the situation you are in.

—— What do you like about Japan?

I like Japanese work ethic. I like to work long hours and I'm fitting to that. I learn a lot of things from Japanese people's work ethic.

(Interview & constructed by Kazuyoshi Hariya / Edited by Yutaro Igarashi)
[Picture ：Aki Nagao]