『 I hope to play for this team for a long time 』

Joe Latta is a big, cheerful, and calm player. We asked him what he hopes to do at Sungoliath, and what kind of image he holds for the future, as the postponed start of the season approaching. （Interviewed on Early February/2021）

◆Living in Japan is a wonderful experience

――Is Joe Latta your full name?

Joseph James Latta is my full name.

――I know this is your first time in situation like Corona crisis, how are you spending your time and what are you feeling?

I feel that the fact that I am able to spend some time with my wife and child is still the part that is helping me. So, I try to go to quiet parks with them sometimes. Winters in Japan are not so cold, so I am able to go out and walk and train, so I don't feel much inconvenience.

――What are your impressions of Japan compared to New Zealand?

Japan is warmer than the part of New Zealand where I am from, and I feel comfortable living in Japan, and the people are great. I also like the city of Tokyo, even though Corona doesn't allow me to go out much at the moment, and I have great support from the players and staff of the team, so it's been a great life.

I grew up on a farm, so there are some certain differences between Tokyo and New Zealand in terms of the city life itself, but I feel that there are similarities in scenery like mountains and beautiful lakes. So, my life in Japan has been a wonderful experience and I feel comfortable living here.

――You write in your profile that you always wanted to be a farmer when you were a child, is that still true today?

My wife and I both like outdoors, so when we eventually return to New Zealand, we hope to have a farm a little closer to the city so that we can live right in the middle of the city and the country.

◆Playing in Japan is the best fit for me

――This is your second season in Japan, what made you decide to play in Japan?

I played in England before coming to Japan, and George Smith was playing for the same team, so he recommended me to Suntory and I got the chance to play for them. I had heard from some of the foreign players that I had connections with that it would be a great experience to play in Japan, so that was my motivation to come to Japan.

――Do you have any problems playing overseas?

I have played in New Zealand, England, and Japan, In England, the season is very long, the physicality is very demanding, and the mental aspect is also very difficult. Looking back, I think playing in Japan suits me best, and I like Japan as a country. I think the length of the season and the structure of the game suits me well.

――How did you start playing rugby?

I think it was mainly because I grew up in a rugby family, as my father played rugby in Otago. I naturally started playing rugby and purely enjoyed it until I was about 15 years old. From then on, I started to be selected for the representative of that generation and so on, and I started to think that I could make it as a professional career.

――Where did you find the most fun in rugby?

When I was little, I thought of it as a way to exert my energy. I enjoyed tackling on the pitch, hitting the opponents with the ball, and exerting my energy. As I grew older, I began to feel good about playing better, and I enjoy when I can make a good play, even if it is a small detailed play in lineout.

――Specifically, what do you mean by good/better play?

For me, I think the lineout is the area where I can show my strength, so when I can think together with the coaches, and the tactics, such as the set or the maul, fit well, and score a try, or lead to a try, or make a big gain, I feel it is good play.

――Do you have any tips on how to play well?

It is something that can only be executed well when everyone sees the same picture, which is like choreography. There is a part of the game where everyone's movements have to be coordinated, so I believe that if we can do that well, good results will follow.

◆I am able to spend more time with my wife and son

――You always have been tall since you were a child?

I've been tall since I was a little kid, and I became as tall as I am now when I was about 14. So, I've been playing lock all my life, and in high school I had long hair, so I stood out (laughs).

――Is your father tall too?

My father was a prop and played loose-head prop. But he is not short, and my mother was also a relatively tall person, so I think it's my parents' influence.

――Is being tall one of your favorite things about yourself?

I like the fact that I am tall, and I think women like tall guys (laughs).

――So, your wife fell in love with your height too?

YES (laughs)! I hope my son will be tall too.

――Would you like your child to play the same position in rugby?

He is only 11 months old, so I don't have any desire for him to play rugby yet, and I want to support my son in what he wants to do. This is my first child, and I get to spend a lot of time with my wife and son, which I think is a very good thing.

◆Quiet type of leadership

――I know that most of you are playing together for the first time, but after playing last season, do you feel that Japanese rugby suits you?

Compared to England, there is a big difference in speed, and I think it is more like Super Rugby. It's fast paced and there is a lot of action on the ground.

Tom Savage and I played together at Gloucester (England), and at Suntory we played a lot of games together last season, and I thought we made a good combination. As for this season, Harry Hockings has joined the team and I am looking forward to playing along with other Japanese players.

――What are your work-on at the moment?

Outside of rugby, I'm trying to immerse myself with the culture and environment of the country, improve my Japanese, and study with my wife since I can learn about future business online now. I now have a real estate license, so I am planning to buy and sell farms, houses and buildings as my possible future business.

――What do you want to do in the future in rugby?

I want to play for Suntory for as long as I can, and I want to finish my career with Suntory. I think the environment of this team is great and it suits me, so I hope to play for this team for a long time.

――What are your goals for this season?

As an individual, my goal is to contribute to the team with good play and win the Top League championship without getting injured that would cause me to be out for a long time.

――What do you think about your own leadership?

My specialty is the lineout, so as a lineout leader, I do everything I can to contribute to the team with my experience and knowledge. I'm the type of person who doesn't say too many unnecessary things, and I think I'm more of a quiet type of leader, but I try to contribute to the team by saying a lot about my specialty.

(Interview & Structure: Kazuyoshi Hariya /Translator: Yuji Yamaguchi /Editing: Yutaro Igarashi)
[Photo: Aki Nagao]