Taiyo Ando
Japanese rugby union player (born 1987)
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Taiyo Ando (安藤 泰洋, Andō Taiyō; born 22 August 1987) is a Japanese rugby union player and former Japan international who played as a loose forward position.[1] He played for Toyota Verblitz from 2010 until 2018 before joining Shimizu Blue Sharks. He left Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks at the end of February 2023. He also played seven matched for the Sunwolves during 2016 Super rugby season and earned two caps for Japan in 2016. [2][3][4]
| Born | 22 August 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 96 kg (15 st 2 lb; 212 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Akita Kogyo High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Kanto Gakuin University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club Career
Ando joined Toyota Verblitz in 2010. In the 2015-16 Top League season, he scored six tries and shared the league's top try-scorer award with Shota Emi of Suntory Sungoliath. He served as Toyota Verblitz's captain during 2016-17 season. After eight seasons with the club, Ando left Toyota in April 2018. [5][6]
Super Rugby Career
Ando was selected as a member of the first ever Sunwolves squad ahead of the 2016 Super Rugby season. He played seven matches in their debut campaign.[7][8][9]
International
Ando made his debut for the Japanese national side in a match against South Korea on April 30, 2016. He earned his second cap during the 2016 mid-year rugby union internationals series against Canada.[1][10]