Justin Ives

1. Biography

Justin Ives' journey in rugby began in his early childhood, eventually leading him to a prominent career in Japan.

Justin Ives was born on May 24, 1984, in Dunedin, New Zealand. He developed an early passion for rugby, beginning to play at the age of four with friends in his neighborhood. For his formal education, Ives attended Taieri High School from 1996 until 2003, where he continued to hone his rugby skills.

2. Profile

Justin Ives is characterized by his imposing physical presence and distinctive nicknames on the field.

His physical attributes include a height of 6.4 ft ^{(1.96 m)} and a weight of 231 lb ^{(105 kg)}. He has O positive blood type. Throughout his career, he was affectionately known by his nicknames "Bad" and "Ivesy." His primary and most impactful playing position was lock.

3. Playing Career

Justin Ives' professional rugby career spanned both significant club tenures and a notable international presence with the Japan national team.

3.1. Club Career

Ives' club career began in his native New Zealand before he moved to Japan, where he spent the majority of his professional playing days.

NPC Otago B:** From 2003 to 2008, Ives played for NPC Otago B in New Zealand, participating in the New Zealand ITM Cup.
Panasonic Wild Knights:** He joined the Panasonic Wild Knights in 2008 and remained with the team until 2012. During the 2012 season, while still affiliated with Panasonic, Ives sought to gain experience in Super Rugby by playing for Otago in the New Zealand ITM Cup.
Canon Eagles:** In 2013, Ives moved to the Canon Eagles, joining them on April 5, 2013. He played for Canon until 2015, with his departure from the team formally announced on March 9, 2016.
Kubota Spears:** His final club tenure in Japan was with the Kubota Spears, which he joined on March 25, 2016. He played for Kubota until 2018, with his retirement from the team being announced on January 29, 2018.

3.2. International Career

Justin Ives represented the Japan national rugby union team over several years, earning numerous caps and participating in multiple Rugby World Cup campaigns.

He was first selected for the Japan national team on February 28, 2011. His international debut came shortly after, on May 1, 2011, during the HSBC Asian Five Nations match against the South Korea. By October 2015, Ives had accumulated a total of 33 caps for Japan.

Ives was initially named in the squad for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. However, his participation was unfortunately cut short due to injury. He sustained a left knee ligament injury during a warm-up match against Italy prior to the tournament. Despite being selected for the World Cup squad, his knee did not recover sufficiently, leading to his withdrawal from the team without making an appearance in the competition.

He was again selected for Japan's squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. This selection came on August 31, 2015, and he was a key player for the team in that tournament, contributing to Japan's historic performances.

4. Assessment and Legacy

Justin Ives' career, marked by his dedication and consistent performance, had a notable impact on the landscape of Japanese rugby. As a New Zealand-born player who became a naturalized citizen and a stalwart of the Japan national team, Ives embodied the increasing globalization of rugby and its positive influence on the development of the sport in emerging rugby nations.

His long tenure in Japan, beginning in 2008, demonstrated a deep commitment to the country's rugby scene. Playing for prominent clubs such as Panasonic Wild Knights, Canon Eagles, and Kubota Spears, he contributed significantly to their competitive successes. His role as a lock, a position critical for set-piece stability and forward play, was instrumental in reinforcing the strength of both his club teams and the national squad.

Internationally, Ives' presence in 33 test matches for Japan, including his selection for two Rugby World Cups (2011 and 2015), underscored his value to the Brave Blossoms. Despite an injury sidelining him from playing in the 2011 tournament, his inclusion in the squad reflected his consistent high performance. His involvement in the 2015 Rugby World Cup further solidified his legacy, as Japan achieved historic victories, significantly elevating the profile of Japanese rugby on the global stage. Ives' contributions helped foster national pride and inspired a new generation of rugby players and fans in Japan, positively influencing the nation's athletic culture and identity in the sport.