Shōta Horie

Shōta Horie (堀江 翔太, Horie Shōta, born 21 January 1986) is a Japanese professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Japan Rugby League One club Saitama Wild Knights and the Japan national team.[1]

Shōta Horie
Date of birth (1986-01-21) 21 January 1986 (age 38)
Place of birthSuita, Japan
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight104 kg (229 lb; 16 st 5 lb)
SchoolShimamoto High School
UniversityTeikyo University
Rugby union career
Position(s)Hooker
Current teamSaitama Wild Knights
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2010–Saitama Wild Knights150(155)
2012Otago5(5)
2013–2014Melbourne Rebels18(5)
2016–2019Sunwolves26(15)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2009–Japan76(50)
2023Japan XV2(0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Early life

Horie is a native of Osaka Prefecture. He began playing rugby when he was a fifth-grade student, and later captained the Teikyo University rugby team.[2][3]

Club career

Horie played for the Panasonic Wild Knights. He was named MVP for the 2015–16 Top League Season.[4]

In 2012, Horie played for Japan, and in New Zealand for Otago in the National Provincial Championship, where he attracted the attention of the Melbourne Rebels recruiting staff.[3] In November 2012, the Rebels announced Horie's signing to play Super Rugby in Australia.[5][6][7][8][9] In 2013 he became the first Japanese player to play for an Australian Super Rugby side[3] often on the reserves bench.[2]

International career

Horie made his debut for Japan in 2009, and represented his country at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[1]

In 2024 he was named in the Barbarians F.C. squad to face the Japanese national rugby team.

Career statistics

Club summary

As of 22 July 2016
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2013Rebels5141070000000
2014Rebels13675311000500
2016Sunwolves1210271830001500
Total301713135640002000

References