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Sunao Takizawa is set to become the first Japanese player in Major League Rugby. The 33-year-old loosehead prop will join Austin Elite for the remainder of the 2019 season and is expected to continue with the team for 2020. He joins from the NEC Green Rockets of the Japan Top League.
Takizawa has represented his country at age grade level up to u23 and has been a leading figure for NEC since 2010. His distinct hairstyle and ability in the loose have made him a fan favorite, and he is highly respected around the Top League having captained the Green Rockets in recent years.
At only 5’9″ (1.75m), Takizawa is on the short side for a prop with his physique similar to another prop already on Austin’s roster, Uruguayan tighthead Juan Echeverría. LaRome White is currently first choice loosehead at Austin after the mid-season departure of Simon Courcoul to the New England Free Jacks.
