James Arlidge

Rugger
name = James Arlidge


birthname = James Arlidge
nickname = Pebbles
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|08|11
placeofbirth = Hamilton, New Zealand
height = convert|6|ft|1|in|m|2|abbr=on
weight = convert|14|st|6|lb|kg|abbr=on
ru_position =Fullback,rugbycentre|capital=yes, Outside Half
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs = Pakuranga United
ru_amupdate =
ru_clubyears = 2004-2007 2008-
ru_proclubs = flagicon|Japan Docomo Kansai flagicon|Wales Newport Gwent Dragons
ru_clubcaps = (?)
ru_clubpoints =
ru_clubupdate = 2008-05-05
ru_currentclub =
ru_nationalyears = 2007- 2003
ru_nationalteam = flagicon|Japan Japan
flagicon|New Zealand Māori NZ Maori
ru_nationalcaps =
ru_nationalpoints = 3
(?)
ru_ntupdate = 22 January 2007
super14 = flagicon|New Zealand Blues flagicon|New Zealand Highlanders
super14caps = 15
(?)
super14points = (117)

super14years = 2000-2002
2003
super14update =
ru_province = flagicon|New Zealand Auckland
flagicon|New Zealand Northland
flagicon|New Zealand Otago
ru_provinceyears = 2000-2002
2001 2003
ru_provincecaps = (?)
(?)
(?)
ru_provincepoints =
ru_provinceupdate =
other = yes
occupation =
school = Dilworth School, Auckland
university = Auckland University
URL =

James Arlidge (ジェームス "Arlidge") (born 11 August 1979 in Hamilton, New Zealand is a Japan rugby union player. He plays primarily at first five-eighths (fly-half).

Club career

Unusually he made his Super rugby debt for the Auckland Blues, prior to making his first start in provincial rugby, making the step from junior rugby with Pakuranga and Auckland Colts, due to the then Blues first choice number half Carlos Spencer being injured. Later in 2002 Arlidge would go onto make his debut for Auckland in New Zealand's NPC Tournament [http://web.archive.org/web/20020813234701/xtramsn.co.nz/sport/0,,5640-901335,00.html Blues Profile: James Arlidge ] .

In 2001 having started the NPC season with Auckland, Arlidge would spend the majority of the season on loan with another side in the Blues franchise, Northland. After another season back with Auckland and the Blues, Arlidge opted to sign for South Island side The Highlanders for the 2003 Super 12 season, as well as playing his NPC rugby with Otago. [http://web.archive.org/web/20030901183306/highlandersrugby.com/exec/go.plx?do=showplayer&site=195&player=59 James Arlidge Highlanders 2003]

After a single season in Dunedin, Arlidge began a four year stint in Japan with Osaka based club NTT DoCoMo Kansai. Having been listed by the Japanese Rugby Union as being unaffiliated to a club [ ] http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=340&Itemid=26 Japan v Korea Preview ] ] , on 5th May 2008 The South Wales Argus quoted new Newport Gwent Dragons signing Tom Willis as "looking forward to joining forces with his compatriots and former Highlanders team-mates, including James Arlidge, in Dragons colours next season.". [ [http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/general/display.var.2246558.0.new_dragon_willis_ready_to_take_leading_role.php New Dragon Willis ready to take leading role ] ]

International

Prior to leaving New Zealand, Arlidge made his New Zealand Maori debut, against a Canada All Stars side, on their 2003 North America tour. [http://www.scrum.com/2444_27360.php Arlidge to make Maori debut ]

Having qualified for Japan on residency grounds, Arlidge was named by new "Cherry Blossoms" coach and fellow New Zealander John Kirwan's first squad. His test debut came in an emphatic 82-0 win over South Korea in Tokyo [http://rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=2 Japan Hammers South Koread 82-0] , scoring two tries and converting all of his ten conversions. Having looked a certainty for a berth in the 2007 World Cup squad, a fractured leg obtained against a Classic All Blacks side forced Arlidge onto the sidelines, [http://www.worldcupweb.com/wcrugby/news/viewarticle.asp?id=5730 Kirwan names Japan's RWC squad ] until the 2008 Asian Five Nations.

In the 2008 IRB Pacific Nations Cup Arlidge was the top points scorer with 56 for Japan, six points ahead of Callum Bruce for the New Zealand Maori.

References