CHESLIN KOLBE "Creating something from nothing"

Kolbe kept going on about the first question, and he kept talking for so long that Jesse (interpreter) had to wait a long time before he stopped. His story drew us in, and the interview was nearly 45 minutes long. (Interviewed on: Dec 2023)

◆Study

――How do you feel about playing in Japan so far after the third round?

I played the first two games as number 15 and enjoyed playing in that position for the first time in a long time. In the third game, I played on the wing, and I believe that perhaps the coaches are working on sharing the role of number 15 with the other players. As for my personal performance, I think all three games were not bad. I think there are still areas where I can grow, but in general, I think they were good performances.
We were happy to win the opening game in good form. We were disappointed to lose in the second game, but we were able to learn a lot. We learned a lot of good things in the third game, and although we won the game, we were able to see many things that we needed to correct. It was a good learning experience.
I still need to get used to the team in some areas, but I have learned from many different people on a daily basis. Personally, I hope to learn and contribute to the team on a daily basis, receiving various feedback from players and coaches who have been here before.

――Is Japanese rugby as you imagined it? And do you think you fit into it?

I was very much looking forward to coming to Japan. The competition is competitive and I think the level of the Japanese league is higher than the world thinks. There are other players who can help me in the areas that are expected of me, such as in game-making and chance-making, and it is important for the team to win. I hope that with the support of those around me, I can put on a good performance.
If it is better for the team to create space for other players than for me to find space and attack there, I am fine with that. I think it is more important for the team to win by performing well rather than for me to do what is expected of me.
Personally, I don't think I have been able to show 100% of my performance yet. I think that as I play more games each week, I will get fitter, and then I will be able to give 100%. However, I would like to focus on the team first.

◆Know when to jump and when not to jump.

――Why are you so good at high ball catching?

I am not tall, but high ball-catching was also important to the Springboks (South African national team). That is why I took the time to train personally. I think I have developed my high ball-catching skills considerably while practicing detailed skills. I think you have to practice detailed skills all the time to be able to show them with confidence in a match, so I try to train throughout the week.
Regarding catching, I believe it is important to know when to jump and when not to jump. If you think you cannot go for the ball, it is important to make the decision to go into the tackle without jumping. I would like to pass on this experience to other players in the same position in Japan and contribute to the team.
The Japanese players are also very eager to learn and ask me many questions. We practice high-ball catching for 5 to 10 minutes every day after practice, and although I am sometimes in a position to teach, I must also be in a position to learn, so I am learning a lot as I go along.

――What is most important when making the decision to go for the catch?

I won't jump to catch when there is time, but if the opponents are closing in and I don't have time I will jump. I think it is important to jump faster than your opponent, so it is important to put my body in the space where the ball will fall.
If I don't show the final decision to jump or not to jump, I think it will be difficult for the defender. I think there are individual differences in the way you jump, so I think it is also important to jump in a way that is comfortable for you.

◆I always want to give 100% of what I can.

――Fans on the receiving end of conversion kicks have had no choice but to sit back and watch, but with Kolbe's charge, I feel that the enjoyment of watching has been revived.

During some interview, I jokingly answered about the kick charge, "I have been doing it for a long time, but the reason I couldn't reach it was because I wasn't fast enough." I think the most important thing is to get in the kicker's line of sight and put pressure on the kicker, rather than to succeed in the kick charge. I don't want to have regrets after the game that I should have done this, so I always want to give 100% of what I can do.

――When you were charging during the World Cup quarterfinal, did you think you would make it?

No (laughs). I was just trying to get as close as possible.

――So you were running faster than you imagined.

Hahaha (laughs).

――What is the probability of a successful kick charge?

There were a few times when I was very close, but that was the first time I had success. It is also important to assess the kicker's movements and routines. I think it is really a last-minute decision, but I try to do it every time I can.

――Do you watch the kicker's movements on video, etc.?

Yes,. Some kickers kick right away, so there may be times when the chase is futile, but I will still do it.

◆I was praying and crying.

――Another memorable scene from the World Cup is the way you rolled up your jersey and covered your head after the yellow card in the final. What was going through your mind at that time?

When I played in the final I wanted to be there for 80 minutes. It was the second or third yellow card I had ever received, and I was disappointed to receive a yellow card on the big stage of the final, and I felt that I was letting down the team, letting down my country, and letting down everyone who supported the team.
When I got the yellow card, I looked at the screen and saw that it showed 72 minutes, so I knew I couldn't go back in the game. I went to sit in the sinbin's chair, put my jersey on my head as it was, and did not watch the game. I did not watch the game after I sat in the chair. To be honest, I was praying and crying.
After reviewing the game, I now believe that God had me sinbin to pray for the team instead of letting me finish the game on the field. I was disappointed, but I think God led me to do it.
Afterwards, scenes of me in the jersey were posted on the Internet, and I had to be in the most uncomfortable place, but I am glad that I won. If the results had not been good, there would have been more contradicting opinions, but I am glad that we won.

――Why didn't you watch the game?

I hate to watch rugby because I want to play (laughs). Especially when it comes to my own team. I watch the other team's games, but I don't like to watch because I want to participate in my own team. Especially on a big stage like the finals, I want to be on the field until the end and contribute to the team, so it is hard for me to watch. I had my jersey over my head and listened to the cheering voices the whole time. Everyone was cheering for the All Blacks, but there were times when the cheering got so loud that I thought we were in a tough situation. On the other hand, when it got quiet, I knew the Springboks were in control.

◆The great thing about rugby

――You are now on the same team as Sam Cane, who you played the final.

Not only in rugby, but in sports in general, there are winners and losers. The great thing about rugby is that although the players fight all out on the field, after the game is over, everyone becomes friends. The great thing about rugby is that you can talk to the other team's players about their families and about rugby. Although the Springboks were able to win, we have to respect our opponents, so we don't get carried away and gloat, and I think it is important to always keep them in mind.
Sam (Cane) was captain of the All Blacks (New Zealand national team) because he was a great human being. Winning the championship was a thing of the past, and from the moment I arrived in Japan, I wanted to think only about what would happen in Japan. I want to put the past behind me and move forward.

――You and Sam Cane seem to be good friends.

Since we arrived in Japan on about the same day, we were always together wherever we went. So we got to know each other better and better. Sam's family also came to Japan, so our families often hang out as well. We are getting to know each other better and better, not only in terms of what kind of players we are, but also in terms of our off-the-field and human qualities.

◆To be in a position to be hopeful.

――What do you enjoy most about rugby?

I often say, "I will retire the day I wake up in the morning and don't want to go to rugby practice because I don't enjoy it." Now I enjoy rugby and I always enjoy playing rugby. Getting along with my friends and playing rugby is always fun, but what I personally enjoy is being selected as a member week after week, being able to show everyone my talents, etc., and being in a position to give hope to the kids. I also enjoy learning and trying new things every day in the clubhouse.

――What do you think is your strengths?

I think everyone expects me to create something from nothing in the attack area. I think I am fast on my feet, and I think stepping is my strength. However I need to continue to practice to polish these aspects.

――Did your father influence you in terms of traits?

My father and mother both came from families that have played sports at the top level, so I think that has always been an influence, and my father played rugby at the top level in his club and also at the international level. I believe that I was blessed to always follow my father in sports.
My father's name is Andrew and his positions were 12 and 15. When my father played rugby was not a professional sport, so I believe that I am now fulfilling my father's share of his dream that he could not fulfill.

――What did your mother do?

My mother played netball. Some other family members did track and field. I used to do track and field before I started playing rugby. I used to do hurdles, but the hurdles were too high, so I started playing rugby from there (laughs). In track and field, I also ran 100m and 200m. I have an older sister, but she did not do much sports. Some of my cousins also do sports, and one of them did well in the 400m at the 2016 Olympics.

――You must have been fast.

In the 100m run, my best time was 10.6 seconds. There were faster people.

――You must be much faster now.

Hahaha (laughs). I don't know (laughs).

◆All for the family

――Do you think you are giving back to your family with your rugby?

I would like to think so. Everything I do now is for my family. I am here now to contribute to my wife, my children, my father, my mother, and all those who have sacrificed so much for me. I also think that I am fulfilling my father's dream.

――Do you have children?

I have two daughters and a son.

――Do you want them to play rugby?

To be honest, I don't want them to (laughs). I want them to be free to do what they want, and I want them to enjoy it, but thinking about it again, I don't think my oldest daughter will play sports. My second daughter likes sports. My son will definitely do sports. But I don't know what sport he will choose (laughs). He plays with a rugby ball, but I will not force him to play.

◆Trophy for Suntory

――You seemed to have many nicknames including Pocket Rocket, but what new nicknames would you like to be given?

I have been given many nicknames, but I am simply happy with "Ches". I don't want to be seen as only a rugby player, I want to be someone who is a good person, someone who can contribute to society as well as to sports. Now I am thinking of starting a foundation that will allow me to approach not only children but also people in need. I want to start something that will help them achieve their dreams, be it sports or studies.

――　Cheslin College?

Yes (laughs), Cheslin College!

――What are your goals for this season?

I want to be consistent, stay on the ground, and contribute to the team. My reason for coming to Japan was to learn many things, and I think Suntory is a team with a strong will to win, so winning is very important.
In this situation, I would like to always do my best to win. And I hope to learn many things as I go along. The other important thing is to have fun. In the end, I would like to bring the trophy to Suntory.

(Interview & Structure: Kazuyoshi Hariya /Translator: Jesse Okitaro Hino)
[Photo: Aki Nagao]