CHESLIN KOLBE "Want to be better than yesterday"

Played 11 games and scored 3 tries last season in his first season. People expect more from him this season, asked him his enthusiasm towards this season. (Interview date：2024, mid Dec）

◆Learning Speed

――How was your 1st season with Sungoliath？

I came here with not knowing players, club, strategy and everything, I was super excited to come here. We wanted to achieve way better than last season but there has been good growth and development through in the whole squad. Even for myself coming in as a foreigner, getting to learn on the field and off the field from the boys was good for my own development as a player

――Do you feel like you fit into the team right away?

I definitely feel I fit into the team straight away. Needed to get used to the calling, structures, and everything as fast as I could to make myself feel confident. Suntory Rugby that we love to play is the aggressive rugby which suits the way I play the game.

――Is there anything you gained by playing Rugby in Japan?

My first week of training at Suntory, props and locks were running in front of me. Haha so I knew there is a big mental shift needed to get used to it. Running for me is not a problem, Just needed to make sure that I settled in as quick as I could in last season. Now that I know bit more about what we stand as a team and what the league is about. I look forward to my second season in Japan. To keep learning and developing my part to do the best that I can for the team. One thing that it amazed me about the Japanese players that how quickly they learn, and as well as they execute

――When did you realize it?

Since I got here last season. From the coaches saying this is the plan and this is the play we want to do, there is obviously things that we need to adept. If we tell the Japanese players how we do things, they do exactly how they taught, detail driven is very high

――Is this something you can do as well?

Yea hahaha. My plan is all about developing and learning and trying to adapt to the situation and what the coaches implement throughout the week and execute

◆Being even 1% better than before

――While you are developing on your game, what is your work on?

Everything Haha Attack, defense, high balls, kicking... I don't think I am a complete Rugby player. I am still learning to be better than what I was yesterday. I am not overall complete player, but I want to keep learning and developing which is most important thing for me.

――Previously, you said you are looking forward to show your talent to people.

A lot of people would like to see what I've done thought out my Rugby career and that's what I thrive to do every weekend when I get an opportunity to play to the best of my ability for the team and also for our supporters as well

――Spectators have a lot of expectations for you, but what do you want them to see the most?

Side stepping is something everybody knows about. Which I will continue doing. And definitely it became bit of my trademark. But you need to bring something different every weekend. So what I would love to achieve this year is continue with my side stepping and just my overall game to be 1% better than before

――Are you getting faster?

Hahaha I feel like I am getting faster. Hopefully GPS picks it up as well. I still feel that I have got enough pace to back myself.

◆Against bigger opposition players

――You look like you always enjoy playing

I definitely enjoy playing Rugby. When people ask [ When do you think you are done from playing ? ] It's bit of a mission for me to wake up in the morning and not excited to go to training, that's not for me. That's not close to my thoughts at all. I am enjoying my Rugby and having fun as long as I can.

――Which part of Rugby do you enjoy the most?

I like getting stuck into physical part of the game. I am not the biggest but show that I can front up against bigger boys on the field. Just again, enjoying my Rugby.

――Having an impression of you being a cheeky boy when you were a kid, Am I right?

Hahaha Yeah... I always used to play touch growing up with my friends, and I don't do school homework. Once I see my parents come down, I run back to the house and trying to do my homework Hahaha

――Are you still the same boy just being adult?

I am not that bad anymore Hahaha I am enjoying my Rugby career, enjoying the opportunity to play every weekend as well.

◆To be positive

――When you play, what do you want to achieve?

Gain positive influence for the team, with the ball in hand, defense, whatever the situation I found myself in. Just try to come out on the positive side of it.

――What is your team and individual goal for this season?

For the team, just to focus on the one thing in front of you. For us not to think about playing in the final making sure that we win the games on each weekend. Obviously, every team has a goal of winning the league. But there are lot more process you have to go through to get to the final. We need to make sure focusing on the all the hard work for the Panasonic game which is our first game of the comp. For me personally, just to keep developing as a Rugby player, contribute to the team and also learn from the guys have been here a long time. And yea do that game by game.

――Do you think the opening match is particularly important?

Yes. It will lay the foundation for rest of the season. Coming up against Panasonic is a big one as we know that they are good quality team. We just need to focus on ourselves for the game.

(Interview & Structure: Kazuyoshi Hariya /Translator: Daiyu Ishimori)
[Photo: Aki Nagao]