World Rugby Hall of Fame - Induction No.131 – Daisuke Ohata (Kobelco Steelers, Japan, Japan Sevens) 1975-

One of 12 legends inducted at the opening of the World Rugby Hall of Fame in Rugby on 17 November, 2016

Born: 11 November, 1975 in Shiga, Japan

Flying winger Daisuke Ohata entered the history books on 14 May, 2006 when he overtook David Campese’s record of 64 test tries in 101 appearances with a hat-trick against Georgia. Ohata reached the milestone in half the number of tests and the Japan Rugby Football Union presented him with a gold-striped jersey to mark his achievement.

Ohata started and ended his 10-year international career, from 1996-2006, with hat-tricks against Korea, and he once scored eight tries in a match, against Chinese Taipei in 2002 in a 155-3 victory. Overall, he amassed an incredible 69 tries in 58 test appearances. 

While critics argued that his record was devalued because the quality of opposition was often not of the same standard faced by Campese, Ohata proved he could cut it on the world’s biggest stage with three tries in seven Rugby World Cup appearances between 1999-2003. 

He retired from playing in January 2011 due to a knee injury.