A dynamic player on the field, a master tactician and highly skilled in the role of the modern number 8, Michael Leitch is one of the greats of Japan rugby.
Michael turns in consistently outstanding performances which are complemented by his leadership skills and professionalism.
Heralding from the conveyor belt of rugby talent that is New Zealand, Michael Leitch has played a large part in improving the competitiveness of the Japanese rugby team, culminating in their greatest victory ever – over the Springboks in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Michael was raised in Christchurch, and attended St Bede’s College. In 2014 aged fifteen he took advantage of the school’s exchange program to enrol at Sapporo Yamanote High School where he became fluent in both Japanese and rugby.
While still a student at Tokai University Michael debuted for the Japanese national team in 2008 at the tender age of 20 He signed to Toshiba Brave Lupus in 2011 and later that same year put in a string of standout performances at the 2011 World Cup.
In his debut Top League season he was awarded the ‘Revelation of the Season’, and was named in the League’s ‘Team of the Season’. He followed this up with inclusion in the Team of the Season in each season thereafter. It was at this stage that, after being noticed at the 2011 RWC, Leitch was included in the wider training squad of the champion 2013 Chiefs franchise in Hamilton, New Zealand.