 Leitch representingJapan during theJune Internationals | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Michael Geoffrey Leitch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1988-10-07)7 October 1988 (age 37) Christchurch, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb; 16 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Sapporo Yamanote High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Tokai University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Michael Geoffrey Leitch (リーチ マイケル,Rīchi Maikeru; born 7 October 1988) is a New Zealand-born Japanese[1] professionalrugby union player who plays as anumber eight forJapan Rugby League One clubToshiba Brave Lupus. Born in New Zealand, he representsJapan at international level after qualifying onresidency grounds.
Leitch was born inBurwood,Christchurch, New Zealand,[2] to a New Zealand father and aFijian mother. He was raised in Christchurch where he attendedSt Bede's College.[2] In 2004, at the age of 15, he went to Sapporo Yamanote High School inSapporo, Japan, as part of St Bede's school exchange program.[2][3]
After finishing school he attendedTokai University and in 2008 captained theJapan U20 team at theJunior World Championship. He became a Japanese national in 2013[4][5] and officially inverted his name in Japanese fromMichael Leitch toLeitch Michael.
After the2011 Rugby World Cup, he joined theToshiba Brave Lupus in theTop League. In his first season he was named in the league's team of the season and given the award of "revelation of the season" at the end of the season awards.[6] He followed this up by being named in the team of the season for a second season in2012/2013.[7]
He moved back to New Zealand after being named in theHamilton-basedChiefs wider training squad for 2013,[8] but was denied the chance to play after breaking an arm. He got a second chance with the Chiefs, signing a contract with the side for the2015 Super Rugby season.[9]
He made histest match debut forJapan in 2008 against theUSA inNagoya aged 20, receiving a yellow card in that game for a dangerous tackle. He quickly established himself as a regular member of the national side. His first try came against Kazakhstan in April 2009.[10]
He impressed in the2011 Rugby World Cup and was praised as one of Japan's best forwards,[11] winning 'man of the match' in the loss toTonga,[12] where he scored a try and made a try-saving tackle onSiale Piutau.[13]
In his first match back from injury, playing for Japan againstFiji in June, he broke a leg. He was appointed Japan captain by coachEddie Jones in April 2014, becoming the second New Zealand-born player to lead theBrave Blossoms after Andrew McCormick in the 1990s.[10] Leitch has spoken highly of Jones, saying in a 2019 interview that "Eddie helped me realise I am not Japanese... he is the one that reminded me I am from New Zealand and New Zealanders are not nice people... we're rough... That's probably the biggest piece of advice he has given me to take me from a good player to a better player."[14] Jones returned the compliment, praising him as a "good player and a great man"[15]
He captained the Japan national team at the 2015Rugby World Cup, famously defeatingSouth Africa in one of the biggest upsets ever.[16]This victory is the core of the filmThe Brighton Miracle, in which he is played byLasarus Ratuere; but also appears as himself.
For the 2018 season, Leitch moved to theSunwolves, the Japanese Super Rugby team. In November of that year, he scored againstEngland atTwickenham Stadium. His side led 15–10 at half-time, but eventually lost 35–15.[17]
At the 2019 World Cup, when Japan were hosts, he led the victory over Ireland, ranked second in the world at that time,[18] and then defeated Scotland to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time ever.[19] Looking back on the tournament in 2023, the websiteRugbyPass labelled him as one of the players of the tournament, describing his leadership of the host nation's team as 'heroic'.[20]
There is a statue of Leitch in one of the communal parks in Tokyo. During the 2019 World Cup it was a popular place for fans to have their photos taken.
Ahead of the2023 Rugby World Cup, he was described as in 'vintage form' for the Brave Lupus byRugbyPass. However, on 22 July a high tackle onSo'otala Fa'aso'o againstSamoa inSapporo saw him receive a red card from refereeMathieu Raynal.[21] He was subsequently banned for three matches byWorld Rugby.[22]
