Age, Biography and Wiki
Michael Leitch (Michael Geoffrey Leitch) was born on 7 October, 1988 in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a Japan international rugby union player. Discover Michael Leitch's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 35 years old?
Popular As |
Michael Geoffrey Leitch |
Occupation |
N/A |
Age |
35 years old |
Zodiac Sign |
Libra |
Born |
7 October 1988 |
Birthday |
7 October |
Birthplace |
Christchurch, New Zealand |
Nationality |
New Zealand
|
We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 7 October.
He is a member of famous player with the age 35 years old group.
Michael Leitch Height, Weight & Measurements
At 35 years old, Michael Leitch height is 1.89 m and Weight 105 kg.
Physical Status |
Height |
1.89 m |
Weight |
105 kg |
Body Measurements |
Not Available |
Eye Color |
Not Available |
Hair Color |
Not Available |
Dating & Relationship status
He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.
Family |
Parents |
Not Available |
Wife |
Not Available |
Sibling |
Not Available |
Children |
Not Available |
Michael Leitch Net Worth
His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Michael Leitch worth at the age of 35 years old? Michael Leitch’s income source is mostly from being a successful player. He is from New Zealand. We have estimated Michael Leitch's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
House |
Not Available |
Cars |
Not Available |
Source of Income |
player |
Michael Leitch Social Network
Timeline
Michael Geoffrey Leitch (リーチ マイケル) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a number eight for Japan Rugby League One club Toshiba Brave Lupus.
Born in New Zealand, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.
Leitch was born in Burwood, Christchurch, New Zealand, to a European New Zealander father and a Fijian mother.
He was raised in Christchurch where he attended St Bede's College.
He was subsequently banned for three matches by World Rugby.
In 2004, at the age of 15, he went to Sapporo Yamanote High School in Sapporo, Japan, as part of St Bede's school exchange program.
After finishing school he attended Tokai University and in 2008 captained the Japan U20 team at the Junior World Championship.
He made his test match debut for Japan in 2008 against the USA in Nagoya aged 20, receiving a yellow card in that game for a dangerous tackle.
He quickly established himself as a regular member of the national side.
His first try came against Kazakhstan in April 2009.
He impressed in the 2011 Rugby World Cup and was praised as one of Japan's best forwards, winning 'man of the match' in the loss to Tonga, where he scored a try and made a try-saving tackle on Siale Piutau.
In his first match back from injury, playing for Japan against Fiji in June, he broke a leg.
He followed this up by being named in the team of the season for a second season in 2012/2013.
He became a Japanese national in 2013 and officially inverted his name in Japanese from Michael Leitch to Leitch Michael.
After the World Cup he joined the Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Top League.
In his first season he was named in the league's team of the season and given the award of "revelation of the season" at the end of the season awards.
He moved back to New Zealand after being named in the Hamilton-based wider training squad for 2013, but was denied the chance to play after breaking an arm.
He was appointed Japan captain by coach Eddie Jones in April 2014, becoming the second New Zealand-born player to lead the Brave Blossoms after Andrew McCormick in the 1990s.
He got a second chance with the Chiefs, signing a contract with the side for the 2015 Super Rugby season.
He captained the Japan national team at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, famously defeating South Africa in one of the biggest upsets ever.
This victory is the core of the film The Brighton Miracle, in which he is played by Lasarus Ratuere; but also appears as himself.
For the 2018 season, Leitch moved to the Sunwolves, the Japanese Super Rugby team.
In November of that year, he scored against England at Twickenham Stadium.
His side led 15-10 at half-time, but eventually lost 35-15.
Leitch has spoken highly of Jones, saying in a 2019 interview that "Eddie helped me realise I am not Japanese... he is the one that reminded me I am from New Zealand and New Zealanders are not nice people... we're rough... That's probably the biggest piece of advice he has given me to take me from a good player to a better player."
Jones returned the compliment, praising him as a "good player and a great man"
At the 2019 World Cup, when Japan were hosts, he led the victory over Ireland, ranked second in the world at that time, and then defeated Scotland to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time ever.
Looking back on the tournament in 2023, the website RugbyPass labelled him as one of the players of the tournament, describing his leadership of the host nation's team as 'heroic'.
There is a statue of Leitch in one of the communal parks in Tokyo.
During the 2019 World Cup it was a popular place for fans to have their photos taken.
Ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he was described as in 'vintage form' for the Brave Lupus by RugbyPass.