Tsutomu Matsuda (rugby union) explained

Tsutomu Matsuda
Birth Date:30 April 1970
Birth Place:Saitama Prefecture, Japan
Weight:198lbs
School:Soga High School
University:Kanto Gakuin University
Amatteam1:Kanto Gakuin University RFC
Amatyears1:-1993
Ru Position:Fullback, Wing
Repcaps1:43
Reppoints1:70
Repyears1:1992-2003
Years1:1993-2013
Clubs1:Toshiba
Ru Sevensnationalyears1:1991-1993
Ru Sevensnationalcomp1:1993

(born 30 April 1970) is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as fullback and wing.

Career

Matsuda started playing rugby at Soga High School and after entering Kanto Gakuin University, he switched from number 8 to fullback. After graduating from university, he joined Toshiba Fuchu. From 1996, he became a central player in the team, including during the achievement of the three consecutive Japanese championship titles under the "P to GO" tactics of the then-coach Shogo Mukai.Even though he was called up in the 1991 Rugby World Cup roster, he had no opportunity to participate as he was at the time enrolled in university. He earned his first cap in 1992 against Hong Kong. Later, he became a member of Japanese national team as fullback, participating at the 1995, 1999 and 2003 World Cups, for three consecutive competitions.

Matsuda had also experiences with the Japan sevens team, with which he played the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens.

In 2007, he was elected in the Asia Squad to play against the Barbarians in the Lipovitan D Challenge.

Even after the age of 40, Matsuda started in a Top League official match. He has the Top League's longest player record and he is the try record holder.[1] [2]

As of 18 March 2013, Matsuda announced his retirement. "I loved rugby and i was able to enjoy the tight, so i continued it for a long time".[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://rugby-rp.com/news.asp?idx=101125 41歳トップリーガー松田 「燃え尽きるまで」
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20120209044109/http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/news/20120205-OYT1T00535.htm “東芝・松田、最年長トライ…41歳9か月
  3. [:ja:松田努#cite note-3|ラグビー:東芝の松田努が引退表明 現役最年長の42歳]