Tokyo (AFP)

The second line Hitoshi Ono, a veteran of Japanese rugby, announced Monday that he was ending his career at 42.

Record holder of the number of caps with Japan with 98 caps, Ono could not reach the symbolic bar of 100 test matches.

International since 2004 with the Cherry Blossoms, the second line had its hour of glory during the "Brighton Miracle" in 2015, when Japan defeated South Africa 34-32 in the group stage of the World Cup.

His last international match dates back to 2016, a 21-16 defeat against Scotland, 38.

Relatively small for its position (1.95 m), Ono registered 13 tries with Japan but none against one of the big nations. He was seven times captain of his selection.

In club, he was notably part of the Sunwolves, Japanese Super Rugby franchise, and previously of the Toshiba Brave Lupus which he joined in 2001.

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