Are there any current Japanese rugby league players?

[FootyMomentsHD]

If anyone knows any Japanese players in the NRL, Super League, KPC, ISP, KPC1 or NYC

I know only of one, Gehamat Shibasaki, who plays for the Broncos in the NYC.
Please get back to me ASAP,
Thanks

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Is Craig Wing (lol) still kicking around?

 

[Rabbitoad]

Craig Wing played for Japan in Union, but he's ethnically Filipino.

Salesi Funaki has some Japanese heritage, but I think it's a few generations back

 

[FootyMomentsHD]

Is Craig Wing (lol) still kicking around?

I think Wing retired from league and union in 2016, playing for the Kobelco Steelers in Japans RU Comp.
Thanks for the Reply Mate

 

[FootyMomentsHD]

Craig Wing played for Japan in Union, but he's ethnically Filipino.

Salesi Funaki has some Japanese heritage, but I think it's a few generations back

Yep his name does suggest that, i think Japanese pearlers who settled in Australia are the reason for this players heritage, same with Shibasaki, who is also a player for the Bronx in the NYC.
Thanks for the Reply

 

[Rabbitoad]

Yep his name does suggest that, i think Japanese pearlers who settled in Australia are the reason for this players heritage, same with Shibasaki, who is also a player for the Bronx in the NYC.
Thanks for the Reply

All good mate, I'm very interested in players of Asian heritage as I think that's potentially a major growth area for rugby league.

Roughly 1/2 of Samoans have either Japanese or Chinese heritage, so I dare say there'd be a few more we aren't aware of too

 

[Emu01]

If anyone knows any Japanese players in the NRL, Super League, KPC, ISP, KPC1 or NYC

I know only of one, Gehamat Shibasaki, who plays for the Broncos in the NYC.
Please get back to me ASAP,
Thanks

What about Kodi Nickorima is he Japanese he has a brother as well.

 

[Rabbitoad]

What about Kodi Nickorima is he Japanese he has a brother as well.

Pretty sure they shot that rumour down mate. I think the Nikorima's are Maori and Irish

 

[The Vaulting Violinist]

All good mate, I'm very interested in players of Asian heritage as I think that's potentially a major growth area for rugby league.

Roughly 1/2 of Samoans have either Japanese or Chinese heritage, so I dare say there'd be a few more we aren't aware of too

Andrew Everingham of Souths fame is filo. Don’t know what he is doing these days

 

[latingringo101]

If you go to Facebook pages like ASEAN Rugby League, Mediterranean Rugby league and Ethnic RL they specifically identify Asia/Middle East RL players in Oz and NZ.

We (Latin Heat) have played against all 3 sides in Sydney with most players being Top A grade or NSW cup standard.

 

[FootyMomentsHD]

If you go to Facebook pages like ASEAN Rugby League, Mediterranean Rugby league and Ethnic RL they specifically identify Asia/Middle East RL players in Oz and NZ.

We (Latin Heat) have played against all 3 sides in Sydney with most players being Top A grade or NSW cup standard.

Wow thanks mate, ill be sure to check this out.

 

[FootyMomentsHD]

All good mate, I'm very interested in players of Asian heritage as I think that's potentially a major growth area for rugby league.

Roughly 1/2 of Samoans have either Japanese or Chinese heritage, so I dare say there'd be a few more we aren't aware of too

Yeah im aware of quite a few Chinese nrl and super league players but not as many Japanese, good point though

 

[adamkungl]

Japan recently played a game vs Hong Kong so we could see a bit of an increase in activity