Japan rugby legend Hitoshi Ono is the epitome of a team man. The 39-year-old lock has always put his side first and done what his coaches have asked of him, even playing on the wing early in his career.

A fierce competitor, the last thing he would want is for bad luck to befall a teammate. But he also knows his career may be coming to an end, and so Kazuhiko Usami's recent misfortune could just be the opportunity Ono has been waiting for.

Having not appeared for the Sunwolves this season, the Toshiba Brave Lupus veteran was a last-minute call-up to the squad for this weekend's Super Rugby game in Singapore against the Sharks after Usami was injured in training on Tuesday in Tokyo.

And the man more usually referred to as "Kin Chan" is hoping to use the opportunity to kickstart his attempt to become the first Japanese player to represent his country 100 times.

Ono has won 98 caps for Japan to date, having made his debut against South Korea in 2004, and solid performances in the next two weeks could still see him feature in Jamie Joseph's plans for June when the Brave Blossoms play Romania and a two-match series against Ireland.

"Of course, I am thinking about it," he told Kyodo News after the team trained Thursday on the grounds of UWCSEA international school.

"But first I need to play for the Sunwolves so I can have the opportunity to show what I can do."

Despite missing all 10 games to date, Ono said he was fit and ready to go.

"I had a calf strain but have been training on my own with a training menu provided by the Sunwolves and am fully fit," he said following a practice session in which he packed down alongside head coach Filo Tiatia, who is just six years his senior.

"I love playing for a team such as the Sunwolves. The culture of the team was created last year and the new members have all bought into it. We have so many fans and I play for them," he said when asked what motivates him to carry on.

As to whether he would emulate Takeomi Ito who is still playing second division rugby for Kamaishi Seawaves at the age of 46, Ono was, however, cagey.

"There are some people who say I should stop now," he joked before heading to the team bus to begin his final preparations for Saturday's important game.