Japan’s national rugby team’s Lee Seung-Shin talks about his first World Cup, in which he played “only four minutes”… “What I learned from my dream stage

When Seung-Shin Lee, a standoff for Japan, scored a try, he threw the ball high over his head and shouted with joy. It was as if he was avenging his disappointment at the Rugby World Cup, a tournament he had taken on with high expectations.

The 2023-24 Rugby League One season has begun. Seung-Shin Lee (22), a member of the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, played the opening game against the Mie Honda Heat at center 12 instead of his natural position of standoff 10, scoring one try and two penalty goals, contributing greatly to the victory. He also played at center in the second match against the Shizuoka Blue Revs. In the second match against the Shizuoka Blue Revs, he also played at center and scored a try, and in the 26th minute of the second half, he made a successful pass that led to a comeback. In both games, he set the tone of the game with his sharp runs and accurate passing, and his ability to score points was something that had not been seen in his No. 10 position last year.

Head coach Dave Rennie, who took over Kobe this season, had this to say about Seung-Shin Lee’s use at inside center and his potential as a standoff player: “As far as Seung-Shin Lee’s performance is concerned, he has been a great player for us.

I think it’s great as far as Seung-Shin Lee’s performance. It’s a good reason for him to be out at inside center, but it’s great for the team to have two players who can play the 10 along with Bryn Gatland, who joined the team this season. They both have great situational awareness and skills. As for the future, there is competition within the team; Bryn, who will be playing the number 10 position, has also performed really well, but there is no possibility that Seishin will play the number 10 position in the future. I think it is a matter of how we move forward in the competition.”

The new coach seems to be satisfied with Seung-Shin Lee’s performance, and his answer is clear that he will be able to use Seung-Shin Lee as a “leader” for a long season to come.