The pinnacle of Japanese rugby, known as "Japan Rugby League One." All 26 teams are divided into three divisions aiming for the top. One of these teams is "Urayasu D-Rocks," which hosts in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. Last season, they won Division 2 and achieved a remarkable promotion to Division 1. Tokyo Century supports the team as a top partner as they take on a new stage starting this season.
This time, we present a dialogue between Craig Laidlaw, who has long been active as a representative of Scotland and became head coach (HC) this season, and Tatsuya Hirasaki, Senior Executive Officer of Tokyo Century. Additionally, we will feature an interview with team captain Ren Iinuma. We talked about the relationships between sports teams and companies, the appeal of rugby, and ways to enjoy it.
*You can also watch the dialogue and interview in this video.
Urayasu D-Rocks Clubhouse Exterior
Urayasu D-Rocks Clubhouse Entrance
Urayasu D-Rocks faces the challenge of a new stage in Division 1.
Tokyo Century Company Executive Vice President Mr. Hirazaki (left) and Urayasu D-Rocks Head Coach Craig Laidlaw (right).
—— From the perspective of Laidlaw HC, who has been with the team for five seasons after being a player and assistant coach, what kind of team is Urayasu D-Rocks?
Laidlaw HC: It's a team full of young players, which makes it exciting. This season marks our first challenge in Division 1. We are positively pursuing the vision of the team we envision and aiming for high-level rugby skills. For that, the growth of the young players is crucial. I have a strong desire to lead the team together with the players, so we are working to cultivate responsible players and create an environment that fosters leadership.
Laidlaw HC: "Our team is filled with talented players. I want them to approach the game confidently and without fear of making mistakes.
"
—— Please tell us the background of signing a top partner contract with Urayasu D-Rocks.
Hirasaki: Our company operates under the corporate slogan "With strength for that challenge," where each employee supports the challenges of our customers and partners while taking on challenges themselves. Therefore, we wanted to support the new stage of Urayasu D-Rocks' challenge. Additionally, since NTT Group is responsible for operating Urayasu D-Rocks, we have been co-creating in various fields of business, and we would like to create new things together in sports as well.
Moreover, sports have a wonderful power. Supporting a single team together with the Company Executives leads to increased engagement and boosted morale, and it also helps with internal communication.
Hirasaki: In fact, conversations arise the day after the match, and communication has improved in ways that have never happened before.
Connections between people become the power of the team.
—— Isn't there also a connection between sports and business, and building organizations?
Hirasaki: For example, having a hero like Head Coach Raidrow does not guarantee that the team will win; it takes all 15 players coming together as one force to lead the team to victory. This is the same for companies; team strength is essential for the development of a business. I hope employees can once again recognize the importance of teamwork through rugby.
Head Coach Raidrow: That's right. Ultimately, the one who leads the team is the "person," so I value "people" to enhance team strength. Isn't this the same in both sports and business? I always think about how to strengthen the "connections between people."
As a team, how would you like to deepen the relationship with everyone at Tokyo Century in the future?
Raidlow HC: I want to not only receive support but also give back in some way. To do that, the most important thing is for the team to achieve results first, but I also look forward to the various challenges and measures that will create many by-products.
Raidlow HC: Building strong relationships with Tokyo Century and the sponsor companies is,
a point I consider important.
Fight together and rejoice together.
Lastly, please send a message from the challengers and those who offer encouragement.
Raidlow HC: This season started tough, but the team's performance is steadily improving. Although there are talented players, there are still aspects that have not been fully realized, so I am encouraging the players to "have more confidence." The long-term goal, of course, is to win. It may take time as we have just been promoted to Division 1, but I am convinced that this is a team that can rise as long as Japanese players, foreign players, management, and coaching staff work together.
HirazakI: League One is one of the leagues where players and coaches gather from around the world, and in Division 1, which is at the top, very high-level matches are taking place. With Head Coach Laidlaw at the center, I hope we can work hard and fight together, and after the hardships, celebrate together. I would like everyone to feel something by watching that performance, so we are planning an internal viewing project for the final league match on May 9. I expect great performance from the team, so I hope everyone puts in their best effort.
Head Coach Laidlaw: "I want to leave a performance that makes you proud of Urayasu D-Rocks, and
I want to build an even stronger relationship with everyone."
The state of the clubhouse. The TC logo is also displayed.
Urayasu D-Rocks Iinuma Ren C
—— What is important to you as a captain?
Iinuma C: I believe that in rugby, a strong team can do the ordinary things that anyone can do exceptionally well. For example, saving a loose ball or getting up quickly to set after a tackle. I want to continue to focus on these simple things and demonstrate them to the team as a captain.
—— In the earlier discussion, I felt the commitment of Head Coach Raidlow to the team. What is your relationship with the Head Coach like?
Iinuma C: As you know, he is the former captain of the Scotland national team, a rival of Japan, who is often said to have defeated Japan with Greg Raidlow. The player I watched on television became my teammate, and he always treated me kindly during our playing days. The words from Head Coach Greg stayed with me when I struggled with play. "The past doesn't matter. It's easy to carry the weight of mistakes, but if you can separate the past and emotions and focus on the actions in front of you, you can produce the same quality every time." Now, the relationship is one of head coach and captain, but he is truly a trustworthy person.
—— For those who want to enjoy rugby in the future, please tell us the highlights of watching.
Iinuma C: Rugby is a sport where each of the 15 players has a specialized role, and I personally cannot switch to a different position if asked. That’s why we trust each other and fight together. Although our roles are different, our goal is the same, so everyone can work together to score tries or defend the goal. I would like everyone to watch the players' movements and also enjoy the intense sounds of bodies colliding and the voices of communication live at the venue.
Iinuma C: Rugby is a sport where the ball is thrown backward, but you can’t see behind you.
It’s the charm of the sport to rely on the voices around and trust the players to keep passing the ball.
—— As we approach the final league match, can you give a message to the fans and everyone at Tokyo Century?
Iinuma C: Your support is a huge support for us. Whether at home or away games, regardless of distance or weather, many fans consistently come to cheer us on, and their support gives us strength. I am very grateful. Furthermore, I also feel that we are able to operate daily thanks to our sponsor, Tokyo Century. Currently, we are in a frankly difficult situation, but we have finally reached the starting line of Division 1 after two seasons. I believe that if the team properly 'connects' and fights with conviction, results will surely come, so please continue to support us.
Mr. Greig David Laidlaw.
Head coach of Urayasu D-Rocks.
A former Scottish national player, his position is Scrum Half (SH). He was a legend who served as captain in 39 matches, including the World Cups in 2015 and 2019, out of 76 caps for the national team. He came to Japan in 2020 and joined the predecessor of Urayasu D-Rocks, 'NTT Communications Shining Arcs Tokyo Bay Urayasu.' He played as a player for three seasons, retired from professional play in 2023, and became the assistant coach for Urayasu D-Rocks, which was newly established due to team reorganization. From the 2024-25 season, he will lead the team as head coach.
Mr. Ren Iinuma.
Captain of Urayasu D-Rocks.
Born in Yamanashi Prefecture. His position is Scrum Half (SH). Influenced by his rugby player parents, he started rugby at the age of 3 and progressed to the rugby powerhouse high school, Hikawa High School, and then to Meiji University. In his fourth year of college, he served as captain. In 2022, he joined the predecessor of Urayasu D-Rocks, 'NTT Communications Shining Arcs Tokyo Bay Urayasu.' He was later appointed as the first captain of Urayasu D-Rocks and is now entering his third season.
Tatsuya Hirasaki
Executive Director and Senior Executive Officer
After graduating from Meiji Universities in 1990, joined the former Tokyo Lease. In 2013, became the company's finance manager, in 2017 became executive officer, concurrently serving as the general manager of the management planning department and finance department, and in 2022 became an executive director and senior executive officer, heading the management planning division and finance division. From 2024, will serve as executive director and senior executive officer, leading the management planning division and finance division. Possesses extensive experience and broad insight in the execution of operations such as accounting and management planning at Tokyo Century.
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