Give positive energy to the team

He is a key player for both Suntory and Japanese national team to win the games. We took this interview to reveal his rugby mind but more closely about "a person" Tui himself.

◆We always have a chance to win.

—— You looks quite scared when you are playing rugby but what kind of personality are you?

I'm normally a happy person and relaxed. (laugh) Once I step on to the field I turn my switch on. I'm trying to "give positive energy to the team mates" on the field. For example, encouraging each other and telling the basics and confirming things. Give positive energy to the team.

—— So you are basically a positive natured person?

Yes (laugh)

—— Have you always been a positive personality?

I think I learnt the most. Some players think about losing and have negative mind but I always believe positively and think "there is a chance to win.". Because you know your team mates will support you when you are tired.

—— Is that because you have experienced a lot of situations like that?

I think so. When I was playing for the Japanese national side, we have had lot of close games we could have lost. But you can win those games by staying positive and play according to your game plan.

—— You have being positive by going through all the experiences right?

I've learnt how to be positive. If you think negative and play rugby, negative things happen. When you see negative things happen, you can't see the game. You should be always calm in your head.

When I was at Teikyo and playing against Waseda, the opposition players charged me hard so I hit him back and I had to leave the field. Whilst I was out, they scored try and we've lost the game. After the game, Iwade Kantoku from Teikyo University told me "You always need to be calm".

—— That was really disappointing result.

Yes I was really disappointed about that but I leant from it. I believe we've never lose game against Waseda again. My own action affected the team's result.

—— Are you a quiet shy natured person?

I'm not a shy person, maybe more like quite person. I like to be laid back and observe people. Sometimes I do pranks on people. (laugh)

◆Do my best

—— What kind of person are you within the team? Supportive person or you want people to follow you?

We have leaders in different areas in the team so I believe I have to support the respective leaders and if I have to stand up for it, then I will. First thing I always think is to "Do my best", this will lead the other players by you doing your best.

—— Do you get angry at after going through the experiences in university times.

Of course I get angry at sometimes. When our standard is down or when we are much better team than the other team but not playing our rugby, I get really frustrated. But I don't put blame on anyone. Instead I speak up and get the boys energy up.

—— I think it is important to enjoy being positive, what's most attractive thing about playing rugby?

I like rugby since I started playing rugby but most pleasing thing is "You are together with your team mates" and "You are playing 80 mins of physical game and not only for yourself but you are fighting for the team mates".

After winning the game, you are with your team mates and drink Suntory Premium Malts together (laugh). I like spending time with my team mates drinking Premium Malts, this is brilliant.

—— Were you already big before playing rugby?

I gained a lot of weight since I came to Japan. I was really skinny before. I was not fast runner but I had power. I think it was a good balance. (laugh)

—— If you were not playing rugby, do you think you would have succeeded in any other sports?

I like playing basketball but I'm glad I choose to play rugby because I love it.

◆Lineout of Japanese national side is improving

—— You were starting member for the first 3 games since the start of this season and you were selected as reserves after that. Now you've come back to the starting member in the 2nd game in second stage.

I feel more tense if you are selected for the starting lineup.　I played all the Japan games in November as starting and I'm in good condition and having good preparation too. We are already in second stage now but we just need to concentrate on every game coming up.

—— So you have been playing as starting member in Japan side and you are playing most of the games for Suntory as reserve, what are you thinking about this?

I think coaches are thinking about our game plans so think positively and I just need to be prepared to show my best performance on the field. It doesn't matter if you play for 15 mins or 10 mins, you just got a show your best performance every time you play.

—— Do you think the Japanese national side is getting stronger at the moment?

I think in both experience and skill point of view, we are getting better. It is positive for me to play for the team. More specifically, lineout is improving. We've spend lot of times at the training.

—— In Japanese squad, forwards start training at 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning?

Yes, it's JP (John Pryer/ Japanese squad S/C coordinator) time. (laugh) I've been playing for Japan side almost 3 years now and I got used to it now.

◆We are heading in to good direction at the right timing

—— What do you think of the Suntory at the moment as there are lots of close games played so far.

I think we get good experiences by wining those games. This season we have had new coaches so we took a while to get in to our shape. But we are getting in to good shape at the right timing. You don't want to be the best at the early stage of the season.

—— What are you thinking when you had to come out from the reserve in close game?

Firstly, I look at the score and think which area we must improve on. I then explain to the other members what need it to be fixed. During the game, you speak with the leaders and play according to the game plan.

—— What is your future goal?

After the season, I will be joining the Reds squad so first priority is to get selected for the team. We have RWC after that so hopefully I can play there and it would be good if I have another chance to play in Super Rugby.

Of course I would like to play for Suntory and challenging Super Rugby is beneficial for me to play for Japan squad.

—— What do you expect about challenging Super Rugby?

It is important to gain experience but more importantly I want to be consistent in playing at a high level.

—— What do you think the most important about playing the rest of the games?

There are lots of important things but work rate is important for Suntory Rugby. For defence, you got a be patient. If we can do those two things properly, we can play Suntory style rugby.

Another important thing is "concentrate on winning". Win the game and come on top of the rank. We've had a lot of close games in first stage and every other team thinks Suntory is not the best team anymore. I want to prove that this is wrong. We just need to show Suntory rugby in second stage.

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