Dinesvaran moves to Red Dolphins

HAVING been with Japan’s Top League giants Yamaha Jubilo since 2013, national captain K. Dinesvaran is now looking forward to a different kind of challenge with his new team, Hino Red Dolphins.

The former Cobra star, who turns 31 later this month, recently signed a three-year contract with the Red Dolphins and is hoping to play a key role in the Tokyo-based club’s ambitious future plans.

“I was with a top-four team (Jubilo) before and switching to Red Dolphins who are still new to the Top League is definitely a new challenge for me,” said Dinesvaran.

“They (Red Dolphins) are expecting a lot from me and hopefully I can do something for the team. It is a new responsibility as they also hope I can guide them into becoming a top-four team as well.

“I am happy to be a part of this team (Red Dolphins) because they are very ambitious and have signed a number of players from bigger teams.

“They have good vision going forward. They are also building a new stadium for the club in Hino City.”

He disclosed that he has already moved from Shizuoka, where Jubilo are based, to a new apartment in Tokyo which is two hours away from the former.

Dinesvaran added that the club have given him clearance to miss pre-season training for the Asia Rugby Championships (ARC), which starts next week.

The club’s opening Top League Cup pool phase match against Panasonic Wild Knights on June 22, however, clashes with Malaysia’s final ARC tie against Hong Kong.

“Malaysia Rugby (MR) are still discussing this with the club’s management. We will see how it goes,” added Dinesvaran.

Red Dolphins secured promotion to the Top League after finishing second in the Top Challenge League (second tier) in 2017.

They finished 14th in their maiden campaign in the Top League for the 2018-19 season.