By Rich Freeman,
At first glance, CJ and Lorna Riley do not seem like typical Japan rugby fans.
Their strong South African accents, despite living in Australia since 2006, seem to suggest they should be traveling around France at the Rugby World Cup in the green of the Springboks, if not the gold of their adopted country.
But the red and white of Japan is their chosen color, just as it is for their son Dylan, the starting center for the Brave Blossoms.
The rules regarding representing a country in international rugby are fairly simple. You can play for the land of your birth, or that of your parents or grandparents, or for a country in which you have resided for five years, previously three -- the route by which most foreign-born players end up playing for Japan.
For many, such as Michael Leitch or Siosaia Fifita, those years began at high school. For others, as was the case with Jone Naikabula and Amato Fakatava, their time in Japan began at university.
For Riley, it came after he was seemingly unwanted by Australian rugby, despite just starting out in his career.
Enticed by Robbie Deans to come to Japan for a trial with Saitama Wild Knights at just 20 years old, Riley showed enough promise to be offered a full contract before he had landed back in Australia.
Six years on, he is representing his adopted country at the highest level. But it has not always been plain sailing, and a number of sacrifices have been made along the way.
"When he first got there, he was living in a tiny one-room apartment and was injured most of the first year," his father told Kyodo News.
Having recovered and become a regular starter for the Wild Knights, Riley's form soon caught the interest of Japan coach Jamie Joseph. But thoughts of playing for the Brave Blossoms meant adhering to the strict residency laws that allow a player only 60 days a year away from the country they hope to represent, time that includes any trips they take in a work capacity, such as matches abroad.
"Dylan once came back injured and then had to fly back to Japan, against doctor's orders so he could comply with the regulations," his mother recalled.
And then there was COVID. Like many teams and players, the Wild Knights and Riley did not have a clear plan to respond to the pandemic. Some clubs allowed their foreign-born players to leave. Some refused to let them go, others left it up to the players.
For Riley, the mental anguish became too much to bear. Leaving could undo all of the hard work he had put toward his dream of playing for Japan. But staying and remaining isolated from his family was proving difficult.
"He called up and was not in a good place," his mother recalled.
Riley eventually flew home, stayed for just four days and then flew back to Japan. It was to be another two years before he ventured back to Australia to see his parents.
"He didn't leave the house, but just being home was enough for him," CJ Riley said.
Rejuvenated, Riley's performances eventually saw him called up to the national squad and on Oct. 23, 2021, he made his Japan debut against Australia.
During the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, the Brave Blossoms' motto was "One Team" -- reflecting that, while some of the players were born outside Japan, they had come to together as one to play for the Land of the Rising Sun.
This time around, the motto has been changed slightly to "Our Team" to emphasize the team belongs to the people and the fans.
Sadly though, there are some, both in Japan and abroad, who still seem to have an issue with foreign-born rugby players representing Japan.
Forget that the Brave Blossoms are breaking no rules and that many other countries are doing exactly the same. For a small minority of keyboard warriors, Pacific islanders, Australians and others have no right playing for Japan. This is despite it being a geographical part of a Pacific region whose islands have provided players for several countries much further abroad.
Happily, Riley's parents have yet to meet any of those naysayers during their time in France.
Squeals of delight and gasps of amazement, not to mention countless requests for photos, are the norm once their son's identity becomes apparent.
While some in the country and around the world may not like it, most Japanese rugby fans still believe the Brave Blossoms are "One Team" and "Our Team," irrespective of where a player was born.
Related coverage:
Rugby: "Genki" Brave Blossoms bid adieu to Toulouse as Pumas await
Rugby: Japan legend Luke Thompson hopeful Brave Blossoms can make last 8
Rugby: Japan to call on spirit of 2019, brotherhood for key clash
