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Matt Foster – No.8 / Lock

When I first moved to Tokyo I Googled rugby teams in Tokyo. The crusaders were the first hit and I sent an email and the next day I was playing against marines from okinanwa and out with the boys for a few beers afterwards. I have many fine memories with the cru and I hope to be back soon in those sweet new jerseys that will definitely be too tight for me.

  • Nationality: Ireland / Sweden
  • Occupation: Education
  • Age: 24
  • Height: 191 cm
  • Weight: 115 kg
  • Played: 2015-2017 (2 seasons)
  • Nickname: The Big Gay
  • Things I miss: Fancy dress from Donki
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Jerry Sysourath – Back Three

I started playing rugby in 2013 when a friend asked me to try. It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the game because of the contact, which I had missed from playing American football in HS. I played for New Mexico Brujos up until I joined the Cru in 2015. I found that they were a near exact image of my prior club which helped getting settled in an easy process.

  • Nationality: Minnesota, USA
  • Occupation: Engineering at governing body
  • Age: 29
  • Height: 185 cm
  • Weight: 90 kg
  • Played: 2015-2018 (3 seasons)

Eric Wilkinson – Prop

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My first experience with Rugby was with the Cru in April 2013. I joined the Cru while looking to join some form of social sports club in Japan, in the hopes of making new friends and giving myself more to do on weekends. Since that day I’ve been hooked on Rugby ever since (whenever my injuries allow me to play, that is). Being from America, my background is in American Football, so needless to say I still have a lot to learn.

  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: U.S. Navy
  • Age: 27
  • Height: 182 cm
  • Weight: 113 kg

Roy Yorke – Wing / Fullback

Roy 'Yorkie' Yorke - Tokyo Crusaders RFC

I’ve been involved with the Cru since arriving in Tokyo in 2009 and am currently the club Kit Manager. This mainly involves playing with online kit design programs when I should be working and bothering people at the club by asking them to buy stuff. I also help out with running Temple University Japan Rugby Club’s training/Tag rugby afternoons which anyone is very welcome to join. Keep an eye on the TUJ Rugby Facebook page for details.

  • Nationality: British
  • Occupation: Assistant Coach at Rugby Park Japan
  • Age: 33
  • Height: 182 cm
  • Weight: 80 kg
Patrick Wheen - Tokyo Crusaders

Patrick Wheen – Prop

Played competitive rugby since he was 5 years old. He was at Harrow and most recently at Cambridge University and Trinity College Dublin before that. Pat joined the Cru in 2011 and made an immediate impact on the proceedings. Outside of work Pat can usually be found in the gym or throwing up somewhere in Roppongi. His mission this year is to bench 300kg, have his first pro MMA fight, and travel around Japan and Asia.
  • Nationality: England
  • Occupation: Banking
  • Age: 28
  • Height: 185 cm
  • Weight: 106 kg
Alex Howard - Tokyo Crusaders

Alex Howard – Sick note / Lock

Started playing rugby as an 8 year old in the UK, absolutely hated the bloody game, so I can’t really explain why I am still playing! I reckon it probably has a lot to do with the raging alcoholism, but for whatever reason I still love dragging my knackered carcass around a rugby “field” here in Tokyo (or in whichever ridiculous suburb we’ve been made to schlepp to). I hadn’t touched a rugby ball in a few years before I moved to Tokyo, but the Cru soon sorted that out – unfortunately I was so hungover that I promptly dropped it. Things have gone downhill since then really, but my oustanding Cru moment so far has been watching our muppet of a five-eight destroy himself in Kabukicho. Seeing him fall through that restaurant sign is a treasured memory.
  • Nationality: Diplomatic Immunity
  • Occupation: Finance
  • Age: 31
  • Height: 190 cm
  • Weight: F*ck off!

Marc Sherratt – Prop

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I joined the Cru after drunkenly being talked in to it by Sean Gibson whilst on the piss in Ebisu. I came down for a few games and really got to like it. That was 3-4 years ago now. At the time the Cru was a bit of a joke, people would rock up drunk/late/or just not at all. That has all changed now.

The modern Tokyo Crusaders is so well managed and organised it still amazes any of the players that have been around a few years. Before, the team was fun, a nice way to spend a Sunday. Now, it makes me proud to put on the kit and get out there with some really great guys, and hit some other guys!
  • Nationality: British
  • Occupation: High School Teacher/Team Web Master
  • Age: 30
  • Height: 185 cm
  • Weight: 115 kg

Yutaka Baggins Yazawa – Prop/Hooker

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Yutaka started playing the game when he moved to the UK to study in the last decade of last century. Continued to play rugby mostly by way of penance for his debauched lifestyle in his 20’s. After 11 years in and about London, playing for various social sides, he went on to play in Hong Kong for 9 years at HKFC. His longevity as a player is only as remarkable as his consistent mediocrity as a player. Then again, one looks to an aging front-row player for reliability and immovability, rather than for a flash of genius and speed. That is his excuse. In any event. Yutaka feels honoured and privileged to be a part of the Cru family, and considers himself the luckiest man in the world, without having an incurable disease named after him.

  • Nationality: Japanese
  • Occupation: Lawyer
  • Age: Old Enough
  • Height: Short Enough
  • Weight: Heavy Enough
Paul Skurr - Tokyo Crusaders

Paul Skurr – Fly-half

Playing rugby since schoolboy days in the UK. Paul “twinkle toes” Skurr played at club level in the UK with Broadstreet and Barking before joining the CRU in 2006. Current CRU Captain, Skurry most enjoys ruck and maul and can play any position but after a crash course diet most feels at home as Fly Half and smashing up Japanese defenses to score his trademark try from the 5 meter line.
  • Nationality: England
  • Occupation: Finance
  • Age: 32
  • Height: 193 cm
  • Weight: 110 kg

Clive Calaway – Fullback/Wing

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I played a handful of matches as a child in Primary school in England. Although I have always followed and watched Rugby my passion for the sport was reignited when my son decided to take up the sport. When living in Melbourne I am the current club President and player (Masters Team) of Maroondah Rugby Club based in Victoria, Australia. Now living in Tokyo I feel privileged to be a part of the Cru. I made my debut for the Cru vs. in Kichijoji Wild Turkey, unfortunately we lost this match. So far the absolute playing highlight was representing the Cru vs. Fevers RFC in a friendly where Matthew my 15 year old son also played off the bench for the final 20 minutes of the match. Playing in the same team as my son in a competitive match was something we both wanted but in reality didn’t think we would ever manage to do – Thanks to the Crusaders for allowing us to achieve this.

  • Nationality: English (living in Melbourne and Tokyo)
  • Occupation: Airline Manager
  • Age: 46
  • Height: 178 cm
  • Weight: 83 kg
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Stewart Henwood – Openside Flanker

Started rugby as a 7 year-old. Played right through to high school for Shirley RFC, and one season with Brighton RFC, (to be with my mates). My first season was as wing, cause I was a nippy wee fella, but got bored and decided I’d rather chase the ball and the guy holding it. Moved to flanker and never looked back. Biggest schoolboy memory was looking up at my Dad after coming to, and someone was saying “Yep, looks like he’s gonna need a few stitches”. Started again as a founding member of the Crusaders and played 4 years, after which I retired due to a promise to my new wife. On return to NZ, I went to see my little brother’s game and they were short. His coach pulled me on and I ended up playing another 6 years of 2nd and 3rd grade for Shirley RFC. So much for the promise. Once again, coming out of retirement to play for the Cru. My wife has ‘given up’.
  • Nationality: New Zealand
  • Occupation: Teacher
  • Age: 50
  • Height: 171 cm
  • Weight: 74 kg

Gaz Lim – Utility Back

My Cru debut was the 2008 tour of Nagoya. Picking up the ball in 35 degree heat, we had 14 players and no subs that day but it was a legendary tour. I started playing rubgy at 13. I played some college rugby at Leeds, before taking it up again years later with the Crusaders. There is an amazing spirit and the CRU are a great bunch of guys from all over the world.
  • Nationality: British
  • Occupation: Recruiting
  • Age: 36
  • Height: 177 cm
  • Weight: 78 kg

Corey Carter – 2nd Row

It was a lazy Sunday when my phone went off and Old Boy Jerry Sysourath asked me if I felt like throwing a ball around. I was hesitant at first as I’d never looked into Rugby at all in my life, but quickly made my debut of catching the ball with my face on multiple occasions. It was a standing bar in Edogawa and the camaraderie hit me just as hard as the drinks did; I was a Crusader. My only regret is not getting involved with this team as soon as I arrived in Japan back in 2012. Since I’ve joined I have devoted most of my spare time to the Cru’ doing whatever I can, this eventually led to me becoming the Clubman of the Year for the 2017-2018 season, and to be honest, I’d do it all over again. I loathe the day that I’ll leave the Cru’, but until then I’ll cherish every game, every pint, and every complaint from Frank. Cheers boys!

  • Nationality: USA
  • Occupation: Engineering at governing body
  • Age: 28
  • Height: 190 cm
  • Weight: 97 kg
  • Joined: 2016
  • Honor: Clubman of the Year 2017-18 season

Nabin Giri – Scrum Half / Wing

Started rugby as a 15 years old. I played some club rugby for gorkhali rugby club and played 7s rugby for national team as a captain. After that i came here for study and I think rugby was over for me. But at the same time i found Cru on Facebook and i mail to club. After that i got chance to play rugby again . I joined Cru in 2018. Thank you Cru for giving me chance to play.

  • Nationality: Nepal
  • Occupation: Student
  • Age: 23
  • Height: 173 cm
  • Weight: 72 kg
  • Joined: 2017