Japan prop hit by car
NEWS: Japan rugby prop Takuma Asahara has missed the team’s training camp after being hit by a car.
Stuff reported that Asahara was hit by a car because he had drunk too much and fallen asleep on the road.
The report further stated the 31-year-old international player was drunk and lying on the street in the Tokyo suburb of Fuchu at around 2.20am on Sunday when a man got into his car and pulled away, pinning Asahara beneath his vehicle, according to a report in the Japan Times.
Some of Asahara’s teammates, including Japan captain and former Chiefs player Michael Leitch, had to lift the car up and pull Asahara to safety.
Police said Asahara, who has played for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby since 2016 and been in the national team since 2013, only suffered minor injuries.
The Japan Rugby Football Union, which will host next year’s World Cup, announced that Asahara wouldn’t be attending the ongoing national squad’s training camp in Wakayama, citing an unspecified injury.
Asahara currently plays for the Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Japan’s Top League. The side had played against the Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Tokyo on Saturday and some players later dined near the location of the incident.
The team apologised on Asahara’s behalf, issuing a statement that read: “We are extremely sorry that we have caused trouble to various people including the driver. We will ensure that such an incident will not happen again.”
Japan, who are coached by Kiwi Jamie Joseph, are preparing to host a World Cup on October 26 and play the All Blacks in Chofu a week later. They then tour Europe for tests against England and Russia.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
