Rugby playerJapaneseTonganWorld Cup player

Amanaki Mafi

Amanaki Lelei Mafi is a Tongan-born Japanese professional rugby union number 8 who represented Japan in two Rugby World Cups and played for various clubs, known for his powerful play despite injuries and legal issues.

1. Early Life and Background

Amanaki Lelei Mafi's early life was rooted in Tonga, where he began his rugby journey before moving to Japan for educational and athletic opportunities.

1.1. Birth and Upbringing

Mafi was born on 11 January 1990, in Hamula village, Tonga. He grew up in a large family, being the fifteenth of sixteen siblings. He began playing rugby at the age of five. He stands 74 in (189 cm) tall and weighs 247 lb (112 kg). During his high school years at Tonga College, a school known for sending many students to Japan, he initially played as a wing (WTB) until his second year, when his weight was under 198 lb (90 kg). In his third year of high school, he transitioned to the number 8 position. His nephew, Matt Mafi, is also a rugby player. Mafi has noted that he dislikes あんこAnko (red bean paste)Japanese.
q=Hamula Village, Tonga|position=right

1.2. Education in Japan

Mafi's talent was noticed by scouts during the 2009 U20 World Rugby Championship held in Japan, where he represented Tonga U20. This led to an invitation to study at Hanazono University in Kyoto, Japan, which he accepted in 2010. While at Hanazono University, he played for the rugby club in the Kansai Student Rugby B League (second division). His childhood friend and future Japan national teammate, Amanaki Lotoahea, was also a classmate at Hanazono University. During his university years, Mafi lived on a modest monthly allowance of 30.00 K JPY, most of which he sent back to his family in Tonga, living frugally on the remainder. His performance in matches, including the 2012 Kansai Student North-South Match, garnered attention.
q=Kyoto, Japan|position=right

2. Rugby Career

Amanaki Lelei Mafi's rugby career spans junior and university levels before progressing to international and professional club play, marked by significant contributions and challenges.

2.1. Junior and University Rugby

Before his professional career, Mafi represented Tonga at the junior level, playing for the Tonga U20 in the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship. Upon moving to Japan in 2010, he continued his rugby development at Hanazono University, competing in the Kansai Collegiate Rugby Championships. He also represented Tonga at the U18 and U19 levels.

2.2. International Debut and Early Career

After a standout first season in the Top League with NTT Communications Shining Arcs in 2014, Mafi was approached by both the Tonga and Japan for the 2014 November tests. Having resided and played in Japan for three consecutive years and with more than three years passed since his U20 Tonga selection, he was eligible to represent Japan while retaining his Tongan nationality. Mafi opted to play for Japan, declining Tonga's invitation. He made his debut for Japan on 13 November 2014, against Romania in Bucharest as part of the Lipovitan D Tour 2014. His immediate impact was noted by then-coach Eddie Jones as "pretty special."
On 19 November 2016, Mafi won the Man of the Match award in Japan's 33-30 loss to Wales at the Principality Stadium in the Under Armour Autumn Series. As of October 2019, Mafi had earned 27 caps for Japan.

2.3. Major International Tournaments

Mafi played a crucial role in Japan's campaigns in the Rugby World Cup.

In the 2015 Rugby World Cup held in England, Mafi made a significant impression despite having recently recovered from a severe hip injury. He made four appearances for Japan, including scoring two tries. Notably, he came on as a substitute in Japan's opening match against South Africa. In the final moments of the game, Mafi provided the winning pass that led to Karne Hesketh's try, securing Japan's historic 34-32 upset victory, considered one of the biggest upsets in tournament history. He also started in the second match against Scotland and the final pool match against the United States, scoring a try in each of those games.

Mafi was also selected for the 2019 Rugby World Cup held in Japan. However, his participation was hampered by injuries. He sustained a right shoulder injury on 7 September 2019, in a match against South Africa during the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2019, which caused him to miss the opening pool match against Russia. In the second match against Ireland, where he started, he suffered a rib cartilage injury and was forced to leave the field. As a result, he played in only two of Japan's four Pool A matches. Despite these setbacks, Mafi made a temporary appearance in the quarter-final match against South Africa on 20 October. Although Japan was eliminated in the quarter-finals, Mafi, along with four teammates with ties to Kyoto, was awarded the Kyoto City Sports Honor Award on 23 October.

2.4. Club Career

Amanaki Lelei Mafi has played for several professional rugby clubs across different leagues.

2.4.1. NTT Communications Shining Arcs

Mafi joined NTT Communications Shining Arcs (now NTT Communications Shining Arcs Tokyo Bay Urayasu) in 2014 after graduating from Hanazono University. He made his Top League debut on 23 August 2014, as a substitute against Munakata Sanix Blues in the first stage of the season. Following his impressive performance in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Mafi continued to be a key player for NTT Communications Shining Arcs in the 2015-16 Top League season, making seven appearances and scoring five tries, including three consecutive tries from the opening matches. He was also named Man of the Match in two consecutive games.

2.4.2. Bath Rugby

On 29 December 2015, Bath Rugby of the English Premiership announced that they had signed Mafi on a short-term loan deal for four months, until April 2016, while he remained affiliated with NTT Communications Shining Arcs. He joined Bath in late January 2016. Mafi made his Premiership debut as a number 8 on 13 February 2016, against Worcester Warriors. In his second match for Bath, on 20 February against Wasps, he played the full game and scored his first Premiership try. He was described as a "sensation" during his time at Bath, scoring four tries in his first four matches. However, his stay was cut short under controversial circumstances, with his contract ending on 1 May 2016, following an altercation with the club's medical officer.

2.4.3. Melbourne Rebels

In August 2016, Mafi signed with the Melbourne Rebels to train for the 2017 Super Rugby season. He became a key player for the Rebels from 2017 to 2018. He made 15 appearances in both the 2017 and 2018 seasons, starting all 30 games he played for the club. He scored one try in 2017 and six tries in 2018, accumulating a total of 35 points for the team.

2.4.4. Sunwolves

After his tenure with the Melbourne Rebels and a temporary return to NTT Communications Shining Arcs, Mafi joined the Sunwolves mid-season for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

2.4.5. Yokohama Canon Eagles

In March 2021, Mafi transferred to Canon Eagles, which is now known as Yokohama Canon Eagles. He currently plays for this club in Japan Rugby League One.

2.5. Injuries and Rehabilitation

Mafi's career has been impacted by significant injuries, most notably a severe hip injury. On 7 December 2014, during a Top League second stage match against Toyota Verblitz, he suffered a left hip dislocation and fracture. The injury was severe, initially diagnosed with a recovery period of one year and six months. Mafi initially believed his chances of playing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup were over.

However, he was motivated by the sight of his father working in the fields even in old age, encouragement from his siblings and wife, and the constant support of his teammates who visited him daily. A pivotal moment came when Eddie Jones, then Japan's head coach, handed him a Japan national team jersey with "VS South Africa September 19" written on it, inspiring Mafi to challenge himself to recover for the World Cup. Through diligent rehabilitation and the support of his team, he was able to jog by July. The book Sakura no Senshi-tachi (桜の戦士たちCherry Blossom WarriorsJapanese), which chronicles the history of Japanese rugby, details Mafi's recovery journey and his determination. When his name was called for the final Japan squad on 30 August, approximately nine months after his injury, he described the feeling as being "as happy as beating South Africa." He attributed his remarkable recovery, which reduced a 1.5-year prognosis to 8 months, to his wife, Tongan family, NTT Communications team, fans, and divine intervention, stating he was determined to perform his best at the World Cup.

During the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Mafi re-injured his hip in the second match against Scotland, forcing him to leave the field. He was bedridden for three days. On the fourth day, he saw news online that Eddie Jones had stated, "Naki will make it for the Samoa match." Surprised and thinking it was a joke, Mafi went to the hotel lobby where Jones reiterated, "It's fine, it's fine," making Mafi laugh and think, "He's just saying whatever he wants."

Mafi also sustained injuries during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He injured his right shoulder in a warm-up match against South Africa on 7 September 2019, and later suffered a rib cartilage injury during the pool match against Ireland.

3. Playing Style and Evaluation

Amanaki Lelei Mafi is renowned for his distinctive and powerful playing style, which has earned him high praise from coaches and teammates.

3.1. Coaching and Teammate Assessments

Eddie Jones, who coached the Japan national team, referred to Mafi as an "X-factor" and a "gift" due to his exceptional abilities. Jones, who often noted Japan's physical disadvantage, considered Mafi an exception, describing his overwhelming ball-carrying power as a "nuclear power station" (ニュークリア・パワーステーションNuclear Power StationJapanese).

Michael Leitch, captain of the Japan national team, also recognized Mafi as a "special presence." Leitch commented that Mafi is "usually quiet and has a very good personality. But his power with the ball is incredible. He always makes ground, giving momentum to the team." Mafi's NTT teammates also referred to him as a "Physical Monster" (フィジカルモンスターPhysical MonsterJapanese), and his catchphrase is "practice and matches are 100%."

Naoya Okubo, the Forward Coach for Shining Arcs, Mafi's former club, stated, "I've seen many players, but Naki (ナキNakiJapanese) is special. It's not just about strength. He can also make smart plays that exploit the opponent's weaknesses."

Luke Thompson, a teammate from the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, shared an anecdote about Mafi's strength. After the 2015 World Cup, Thompson (who weighed 238 lb (108 kg)) recounted how Mafi lifted him from behind into the air. Thompson noted that while other lifters would support him from the front, Mafi lifted him so high that the hands of Justin Ives, another teammate, were below Thompson's knees. This demonstrated Mafi's immense power, an experience Thompson had never had before, and which he said made Mafi's World Cup performance easily imaginable.

4. Personal Life

Amanaki Lelei Mafi married a woman from Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, on 15 May 2015. She is the daughter of the cousin of Shohei Kuwahara's mother's brother. In September 2016, Mafi and his wife welcomed their first child, a son.

6. Statistics

SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2017Rebels1515011681000500
2018Rebels15150113860003010
Total30300230670003510