Uwe Helu (Japanese name: ヘルウヴェ or ヘル ウヴェ, born 12 July 1990) is a Tongan-born, Japanese international rugby union player who primarily plays as a lock or flanker. He currently plays for the Yamaha Júbilo in Japan's domestic Top League. He received Japanese citizenship in 2016.
Helu attended St Thomas of Canterbury College in Christchurch, New Zealand, and then went on to university in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from university, he joined Yamaha Júbilo in 2014 to play in the Top League. Initially, he had limited playing time, but he became a more regular member of the team from 2016 onwards.
Despite having only 13 Top League appearances for Yamaha Júbilo, including three starts, Helu received his first call-up to the Japanese national team ahead of the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals. He made his international debut as a second-half replacement in Jamie Joseph's first game as head coach, which was a 54-20 loss at home to Argentina.
Helu was also named in Japan's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, where he represented the team in 16 matches as they progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition.
KG(30/06/2023)
Career
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Urayasu D-Rocks No 4 Lock |
2024 - present |
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Shizuoka Blue Revs Openside Flanker |
2016 - 2021 |
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Sunwolves Openside Flanker |
2017 - 2022 |
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Japan Openside Flanker |
2016 - 2023 |
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Japan XV Openside Flanker |
2023 - 2024 |
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Barbarians Openside Flanker |
2023 - 2024 |
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Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay No 4 Lock |
2022 - 2024 |
