Ruatangi Vatuvei

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ruatangi Samurai Vatuvei (formerly Ruatangi Vatuvei) is a Tongan-born Japanese rugby union footballer. He used to play rugby in Japan for Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Top League and has also played for the Japan national rugby union team under the IRB three year residence qualification.

Usually a second row but also used by Toshiba coach Masahiro Kunda in the centres, Vatuvei is extremely strong. In 2006, he obtained Japanese citizenship. He is 184cm tall and weighs 130kg.

In 2007 he moved from Toshiba to Kintetsu Liners which was demoted from the Top League in the previous season. This did not prevent John Kirwan from including him in the Japan squad for RWC 2007.

Vatuvei was the top try scorer in the 2004-5 Top League season with 18 tries. He is a cousin of New Zealand Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei.