James Arlidge

James Arlidge (ジェームス・アレジ, Jēmusu Areji); born 11 August 1979) is a Japanese international rugby union player. He plays primarily at fly-half.

James Arlidge

Full name	James Anthony Arlidge
Date of birth	(1979-08-11) 11 August 1979
Place of birth	Hamilton, New Zealand
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	87 kg (192 lb; 13 st 10 lb)
School	Dilworth School
University	University of Auckland
Rugby union career
Position(s) First five-eighth, Fullback Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2001–2002 Blues 13 (107) 2001–2002 Auckland 7 (32) 2001–2003 Northland 21 (203) 2003 Highlanders 7 (7) 2008–2010 Dragons 38 (250) 2010–2013 Nottingham 67 (753) Correct as of 22 June 2019 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2002 New Zealand Barbarians 1 (0) 2003 New Zealand Māori 1 (0) 2007–2011 Japan 32 (286) Correct as of 22 June 2019

Club career

Unusually, he made his Super Rugby debut for the Auckland Blues, prior to making his first start in provincial rugby, making the step from junior rugby with Pakuranga and the Auckland Colts, due to the then Blues first choice fly-half Carlos Spencer being injured. Later in 2002 Arlidge would go on to make his debut for Auckland in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship.[1]

In 2001 having started the NPC season with Auckland, Arlidge would spend the majority of the season on loan with another side in the Blues franchise. Northland. After another season back with Auckland and the Blues, Arlidge opted to sign for South Island side the Highlanders (rugby union) for the 2003 Super 12 season, as well as playing his NPC rugby with Otago.[2] His brother Gareth has also represented Auckland at provincial level.

After a single season in Dunedin, Arlidge began a four-year stint in Japan with Osaka based club NTT DoCoMo Kansai. Having been listed by the Japan Rugby Football Union as being unaffiliated to a club,[3] on 5 May 2008 the South Wales Argus quoted new Newport Gwent Dragons signing Tom Willis as "looking forward to joining forces with his compatriots and former Highlanders team-mates, including James Arlidge, in Dragons colours next season.".[4] In June 2010 Nottingham announced that Arlidge had joined them on a one-year contract.

International

Prior to leaving New Zealand, Arlidge made his New Zealand Maori debut, against a Canada All Stars side, on their 2003 North America tour.[5]

Having qualified for Japan on residency grounds, Arlidge was named by new "Cherry Blossoms" coach and fellow New Zealander John Kirwan's first squad. His test debut came in an emphatic 82–0 win over South Korea in Tokyo,[6] scoring two tries and converting all of his ten conversions. Having looked a certainty for a berth in the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, a fractured leg obtained against a Classic All Blacks side forced Arlidge onto the sidelines,[7] until the 2008 HSBC Asian Five Nations.

In the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup Arlidge was the top points scorer with 56 for Japan, six points ahead of Callum Bruce of the New Zealand Maori.

Arlidge was included in Japan's 2011 Rugby World Cup squad. He played in 3 of Japan's 4 matches during the tournament, scoring 34 points, consisting of 2 tries, 3 conversions and 6 penalties.[8]

References

1. Blues Profile: James Arlidge
2. "James Arlidge Highlanders 2003". Web.archive.org. 1 September 2003. Archived from the original on 1 September 2003. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
3. "Japan v Korea Preview". RugbyJapan.com. Japan Rugby Football Union. 21 April 2008.
4. "New Dragon Willis ready to take leading role". The South Wales Argus. 5 May 2008.
5. "Arlidge to make Maori debut". Scrum.com. 1 October 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
6. "Japan Hammers South Korea 82–0". Rugbyjapan.com. 16 June 2003. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
7. "Kirwan names Japan's RWC squad". 11 August 2007.
8. "James Arlidge 2011 World Cup profile". Archived from the original on 25 December 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.

External links

• Newport Gwent Dragons profile