Rugby: Nicholas nails points record

Ryan Nicholas is the first player to reach 1000 points in Japan. Photo / File

When Ryan Nicholas was kicking goals on Nicholson Field for the Tauranga Boys' College First XV he never imagined setting a points-scoring record in Japan.

But it's a reality, with the 34-year-old becoming the first player to score 1000 points in the Japan Rugby Top League as he helped Suntory Sungoliath open the 2013-14 season with a 32-6 victory over NTT Communications Shining Arcs.

Nicholas reached his landmark with a try as the two-time defending champions made it 24 straight wins in the league and All-Japan Championship.

The modest midfielder, with a great step and big tackling game which helped him play 25 tests for Japan, joined Suntory in 2005 and has stayed loyal since.

"For me, playing rugby I need to be in a competitive team and Suntory provides that," Nicholas said. "It is the top team in Japan in terms of the money they put into the programme and are super professional. Players like George Gregan, Dannie Rousseau, Fourie du Preez, and George Smith. No expense is spared for a team that has high expectations and big levels of professionalism.

"We have chances to win the championship every year and that is highly appealing to me and is one of the main reasons I have stayed there so long. Being able to play with good players week in and week out is the key. I didn't go over to Japan just for a retirement fund. I am competitive and I want to win."

Nicholas left Tauranga in 1998 to attend the University of Otago and made his provincial debut for Otago as a teenager in 1998. By 2001, he was a key Otago player and earned a Highlanders contract for the 2002 Super 12. He had an outstanding debut season, starting all 12 games and leading the side with seven tries.

But injuries and loss of form meant limited opportunities in following seasons, so he jumped at the opportunity to join Suntory and three years later he was making his test debut for Japan.

Nicholas played most of his test rugby under the coaching of John Kirwan, including the career high of playing back in New Zealand at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

"I thrived under JK. He understands Japanese rugby and he brings his passion and his particular spin on the way we play.

"I think he has been great and progressively the team got more competitive under him and better and better every year.

"I've got big raps on JK and have total respect for him. He is just one of those guys who is really likeable and dedicated - you just want to follow him."

Nicholas has two more years to run on his Suntory contract and will consider after that what the future holds.

But there is a good chance it will be back in New Zealand.

He has a double degree to fall back on in sports science and management, so will consider options such as a trainer's role or business management.