10 February 2015
Written by Ian Mcdonnell
Contact ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp
RiJ covers the Japan Sevens team at round four of the HSBC SWS in Wellington where they were once again very disappointing with five straight losses. In action at home, Teikyo University beat NEC in the opening round of the National Championship while the other three universities bowed out without a whimper. First time for a university to beat a TL team in the NC for nine years, but do not get your hopes up on the students beating Toshiba and then Yamaha for a place in the final, let alone winning it. RiJ also carries the TL Awards this issue.
Enjoy the read.
CONTENTS
- Top League 2014-15: The Awards
- HSBC World Series Sevens
- The 52nd National Championship 2015
Japan Rugby Top League 2014-15 Awards
Best XV 2014-15:
In the twelfth season of Top League, a panel of members of the media, coaches and captains chose the Best XV. Panasonic and Kobe dominated the Best XV for the 2014-15 season filling five places each with four other clubs filling the remaining spots. Yamaha contributed two players, while Suntory, Toshiba and Canon had one each.
There were six players making the Best XV for the first time, following on from four debutants last year. Panasonic loosehead prop Keita Inagaki, Panasonic hooker Shota Horie, Yamaha No8 Kyosuke Horie, Panasonic five-eighth Berrick Barnes, Panasonic wing Akihito Yamada, Kobe centre Jaque Fourie and Yamaha fullback Ayumu Goromaru all appeared in the XV last season. Five of the fifteen were born overseas.
| No. | Position | Name | Club | Times in Best XV |
| 1 | Loosehead prop | Keita Inagaki | Panasonic | 2 |
| 2 | Hooker | Shota Horie | Panasonic | 5 |
| 3 | Tighthead prop | Hiroshi Yamashita | Kobe | 1 |
| 4 | Lock | Andries Bekker | Kobe | 1 |
| 5 | Lock | Shoji Ito | Kobe | 1 |
| 6 | Flanker | Adam Thomson | Canon | 1 |
| 7 | Flanker | Michael Leitch | Toshiba | 3 |
| 8 | No8 | Kyosuke Horie | Yamaha | 2 |
| 9 | Halfback | Fumiaki Tanaka | Panasonic | 4 |
| 10 | Five-eighth | Berrick Barnes | Panasonic | 2 |
| 11 | Wing | Akihito Yamada | Panasonic | 4 |
| 12 | Centre | Jaque Fourie | Kobe | 4 |
| 13 | Centre | Kotaro Matsushima | Suntory | 1 |
| 14 | Wing | Rakuhei Yamashita | Kobe |
|
| 15 | Fullback | Ayumu Goromaru | Yamaha | 4 |
Top League Best and Fairest (MVP):
Berrick Barnes, five-eighth, Panasonic.
(2013-14: Berrick Barnes, five-eighth, Panasonic)
(2012-13: George Smith, flanker, Suntory)
(2011-12: George Smith, flanker, Suntory)
(2010-11: Shota Horie, hooker, Sanyo)
(2009-10: Hitoshi Ono, lock, Toshiba)
(2008-9: David Hill, five-eighth, Toshiba)
(2007-8: Hirotoki Onozawa, wing, Suntory)
(2006-7: Teppei Tomioka, centre, Toshiba)
(2005-6: Goshi Tachikawa, fullback, Toshiba)
(2004-5: Lautangi Vatuvei, No8, Toshiba)
(2003-4: Yukio Motoki, centre, Kobe)
In his second season playing in Japan, former Wallabies and Waratahs playmaker Berrick Barnes representing Panasonic took out the accolade as Best and Fairest for the 2014-15 season for the second year in a row.
Play-off Series Best and Fairest (MVP):
Akihito Yamada, wing, Panasonic.
(2014: Akihito Yamada, wing, Panasonic)
(2013: Tusi Pisi, five-eighth, Suntory)
(2012: George Smith, flanker, Suntory)
(2011: Akihito Yamada, wing, Sanyo)
(2010: Goshi Tachikawa, fullback, Toshiba)
(2009: Toshiaki Hirose, wing, Toshiba)
(2008: Hirotoki Onozawa, wing, Suntory)
(2007: Lautangi Samurai Vatuvei, lock, Toshiba)
Akihito Yamada was named the MVP for the Top League Play-off Series for the second year in a row and third time overall. The Japan international wing scored a try in both the semi-final and the final that sealed the win for Panasonic. He also played a significant role in the win over Toshiba in the semi-final.
Rookie:
Rakuhei Yamashita, wing, Kobe.
(2013-14: Keita Inagaki, prop, Panasonic and Kyosuke Horie, No8, Yamaha)
(2012-13: Kohei Yoshida, prop, Toyota)
(2011-12: Michael Leitch, flanker, Toshiba)
(2010-11: Atsushi Hiwasa, halfback, Suntory)
(2009-10: Shinya Makabe, lock, Suntory)
(2008-9: Kensuke Hatakeyama, prop, Suntory)
(2007-8: Fumiaki Tanaka, halfback, Sanyo)
(2006-7: Tomoki Kitagawa, wing, Sanyo)
(2005-6: Shota Goto, halfback, Kobe)
(2004-5: Hiroki Mizuno, wing, Toyota)
(2003-4: Shin Kanto, five-eighth, Suntory)
In his first season of senior rugby, Kobe wing Rakuhei Yamashita was named best youngest player for the season. Yamashita graduated from Kyoto Sangyo University and shared the prize for top try scorer this season with 11 tries.
Top point scorer:
Berrick Barnes, five-eighth, Panasonic, 156 points.
NB: The first three seasons of Top League consisted of 12 teams over 11 rounds. Top League expanded to 14 teams over 13 rounds from the 2006-7 season. From 2013-14, Top League expanded to 16 teams with 14 games over two stages. Points scored in the Top League Play-offs are not included in this count.
(2013-14: Ayumu Goromaru, fullback, Yamaha, 160 points)
(2012-13: Ryan Nicholas, centre, Suntory, 188 points)
(2011-12: Ayumu Goromaru, fullback, Yamaha, 182 points)
(2010-11: Orene Ai’i, five-eighth, Toyota, 178 points)
(2009-10: Atsushi Tanabe, fullback, Sanyo, 191 points)
(2008-9: David Hill, five-eighth, Toshiba, 226 points)
(2007-8: Shotaro Onishi, inside centre, Yamaha, 139 points)
(2006-7: Ryan Nicholas, centre, Suntory, 159 points)
(2005-6: Keiji Hirose, five-eighth, Toyota, 181 points)
(2004-5: Keiji Hirose, five-eighth, Toyota, 152 points)
(2003-4: Daisuke Hihara, five-eighth, Toshiba, 147 points)
Panasonic five-eighth Berrick Barnes racked up a personal tally of 156 points from 3 tries, 30 conversions and 27 penalty goals from 14 games to take the top point scorer award for the first time. The next best point scorer was Ricoh fullback Daniel Peters on 147 points.
Top try scorer:
Nemani Nadolo, wing, NEC; Kyosuke Horie, No8, Yamaha and Rakuhei Yamashita, wing, Kobe 11 tries each.
NB: The first three seasons of Top League consisted of 12 teams over 11 rounds. Top League expanded to 14 teams over 13 rounds from the 2006-7 season. From 2013-14, Top League expanded to 16 teams with 14 games over two stages. Points scored in the Top League Play-offs are not included in this count.
(2013-14: Jaque Fourie, centre, Kobe, 17 tries)
(2012-13: Akihito Yamada, wing, Panasonic, 20 tries)
(2011-12: Nemani Nadolo, wing, NEC, 19 tries)
(2010-11: Hirotoki Onozawa, wing, Suntory, 15 tries)
(2009-10: Hirotoki Onozawa, wing, Suntory, 14 tries)
(2008-9: Tomoki Kitagawa, wing, Sanyo, 12 tries)
(2007-8: Tomoki Kitagawa, wing, Sanyo, 14 tries)
(2006-7: Tomoki Kitagawa, wing, Sanyo, 19 tries)
(2005-6: Damian McInally, fullback, Kubota and Sene Taala, No8, Secom, both with 10 tries)
(2004-5: Lautangi Vatuvei, No8, Toshiba, 18 tries)
(2003-4: Glen Marsh, flanker, NEC, 11 tries)
At the completion of both stages, NEC wing Nemani Nadolo, Yamaha No8 Kyosuke Horie and Kobe wing Rakuhei Yamashita shared the crown as top try scorer with 11 tries each.
Top goal kicker:
Berrick Barnes, five-eighth, Panasonic, 141 points from 30 conversions and 27 penalties at 82.61% success rate.
NB: The first three seasons of Top League consisted of 12 teams over 11 rounds. Top League expanded to 14 teams over 13 rounds from the 2006-7 season. From 2013-14, Top League expanded to 16 teams with 14 games over two stages. Points scored in the Top League Play-offs are not included in this count.
(2013-14: Ryan Nicholas, centre, Suntory, 178 points from 44 conversions and 30 penalties)
2012-13: Ayumu Goromaru, fullback, Yamaha, 155 points from 40 conversions and 25 penalties)
(2011-12: Ayumu Goromaru, fullback, Yamaha, 172 points from 38 conversions and 32 penalties)
(2010-11: Atsushi Tanabe, fullback, Sanyo, 152 points from 52 conversions and 16 penalties)
(2009-10: Atsushi Tanabe, fullback, Sanyo, 171 points from 48 conversions and 25 penalties)
(2008-9: David Hill, five-eighth, Toshiba, 171 points from 60 conversions and 17 penalties)
(2007-8: Shotaro Onishi, inside centre, Yamaha, 119 points from 40 conversions and 13 penalties)
(2006-7: Keiji Hirose, five-eighth, Toyota, 148 points from 47 conversions and 18 penalties)
(2005-6: Keiji Hirose, five-eighth, Toyota, 166 points from 50 conversions and 22 penalties)
(2004-5: Keiji Hirose, five-eighth, Toyota, 137 points from 49 conversions and 13 penalties)
(2003-4: Koji Fukuoka, fullback, World, 117 points from 33 conversions and 17 penalties)
Panasonic five-eighth Berrick Barnes was the best kicker for the first time with 141 points from 30 conversions and 27 penalties. His kicking success rate was 82.61%.
Best referee:
Akihasa Aso.
(2013-14: Akihisa Aso)
(2012-13: Taizo Hirabayashi)
(2011-12: Taizo Hirabayashi)
(2010-11: Taizo Hirabayashi)
(2009-10: Shinji Aida)
(2008-9: Shinji Aida)
(2007-8: George Ayoub (ARU))
(2006-7: Taizo Hirabayashi)
(2005-6: Shinji Aida)
This category was introduced in the 2005-6 season with Akihisa Aso taking out the title for the second year in a row and second time overall.
The Century Club:
The 2014-15 season marked the twelfth season of Top League since it was launched back in 2003-4. This season, sixteen players achieved the milestone of one hundred Top League games, including Shoji Ito (Toshiba), Seiichi Shimomura (Panasonic), Luke Thompson (Kintetsu), Tomoaki Taniguchi (Toyota) and Yusuke Aoki (Suntory). Furthermore, Kazuhito Taniguchi became the first referee to officiate in one hundred Top League games this season.
Fair play team:
Panasonic.
(2013-14: Panasonic)
(2012-13: Sanix)
(2011-12: Toshiba)
(2010-11: Sanyo)
(2009-10: Coca-Cola)
(2008-9: Sanyo)
(2007-8: Kyuden)
(2006-7: Sanyo)
(2005-6: Kobe)
(2004-5: Kobe)
(2003-4: Suntory)
The fair play team is the team that gives away the least amount of penalties over the season. Panasonic won this award for the second year in a row and fourth time overall.
Best fan service:
Kobe, Toshiba and Panasonic.
(2013-14: NTT Communications, NTT Docomo and Yamaha)
(2012-13: Kobe)
(2011-12: Kobe)
(2010-11: Kobe)
(2009-10: Kobe)
(2008-9: Kobe)
(2007-8: Kobe)
(2006-7: Kobe and Yamaha)
(2005-6: Kobe and Yamaha)
(2004-5: Kobe)
(2003-4: Suntory)
HSBC Sevens World Series 2014-15
Round 4, New Zealand Sevens
6-7 February 2015, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
New Zealand defended their title when they beat England 27-21 in the Cup Final while South Africa came in third after they beat Scotland 40-7 in the Third Place Play-off. Other winners in Wellington included Fiji who beat Australia 24-0 in the Plate Final, France who beat Argentina 29-5 in the Bowl Final and Canada who beat Samoa 26-10 in the Shield Final. For Japan though, it was a disappointing tournament with three straight losses in Pool A followed by further losses to Argentina in Bowl Quarter Final and Canada in the Shield Semi Final.
The Japan Sevens Squad
|
| Name | Club | DOB | Age | Hgt/Wgt |
| 1 | Lomano Lava LEMEKI | Honda Heat | 20/01/1989 | 26 | 179/95 |
| 2 | Shunya GOTO | Honda Heat | 04/12/1989 | 25 | 189/95 |
| 3 | Hiroki YOSHIDA | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 16/11/1981 | 33 | 180/85 |
| 4 | Yusaku KUWAZURU | Coca-Cola Red Sparks | 23/10/1985 | 29 | 188/97 |
| 5 | Yoshiaki TSURUGASAKI | Panasonic Wild Knights | 09/01/1990 | 25 | 185/93 |
| 6 | Masakatsu HIKOSAKA | Toyota Verblitz | 18/01/1991 | 24 | 177/92 |
| 7 | Katsuyuki SAKAI | Toyota Industries Shuttles | 07/09/1988 | 26 | 172/88 |
| 8 | Yoshikazu FUJITA | Waseda University | 08/09/1993 | 21 | 184/93 |
| 9 | Daisuke NATSUI | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 27/10/1988 | 26 | 188/90 |
| 10 | Kazushi HANO | NTT Communications | 21/06/1991 | 23 | 184/86 |
| 11 | Chihito MATSUI | Doshisha University | 11/11/1994 | 20 | 182/78 |
| 12 | Kazuhiro GOYA | Ryutsu Keizai University | 21/04/1993 | 21 | 170/77 |
Head Coach: Tomohiro Segawa.
The captains at the New Zealand Sevens. (Source: Official HSBC Sevens World Series webpage)
Pools
| Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D |
| South Africa | New Zealand | Fiji | Argentina |
| France | England | Australia | Scotland |
| USA | Canada | Wales | Kenya |
| Japan | PNG | Portugal | Samoa |
Pool A Games for Japan
Day 1: Friday, 06 February 2015
Match 2: USA 40 d Japan 5
Japan: 3- Hiroki Yoshida, 8- Yoshikazu Fujita, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 10- Kazushi Hano, 6- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 4- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lomano Lemeki.
Substitutes: 9- Daisuke Natsui, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 5- Yoshiaki Tsurugasaki, 2- Shunya Goto, 11- Chihito Natsui.
Japan Scorers: Try: Lomano Lemeki.
The USA overwhelmed Japan in their opening Pool A match at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Friday winning 40-7. Lomano Lemeki scored the first try in the opening minute of the match but the USA responded with two tries to lead 14-5 at the break. Worse was to come in the latter half with the Eagles running in a further four tries to run away with the final score line. Carlin Isles scored two tries for the Americans while Danny Barrett and Perry Baker were some of the other try scorers for the victors.
Match 9: South Africa 24 d Japan 7
Japan: 3- Hiroki Yoshida, 8- Yoshikazu Fujita, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 10- Kazushi Hano, 6- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 4- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lomano Lemeki.
Substitutes: 9- Daisuke Natsui, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 5- Yoshiaki Tsurugasaki, 2- Shunya Goto, 11- Chihito Natsui.
Japan Scorers: Try: Lomano Lemeki; Conversion: Katsuyuki Sakai.
In their second match, Japan came up against the might of South Africa. The South Africans ran in three first half tries through Seabelo Senatla, Werner Kok and Philip Snyman to build a handy 19-0 lead at the turn around and then wrapped things up with a late try to Warrick Gelant. Like in the opening match against the USA, Lomano Lemeki was the sole try scorer for Japan with the difference being the conversion added by Katsuyuki Sakai.
Match 17: France 35 d Japan 17
Japan: 3- Hiroki Yoshida, 8- Yoshikazu Fujita, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 10- Kazushi Hano, 6- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 4- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lomano Lemeki.
Substitutes: 9- Daisuke Natsui, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 5- Yoshiaki Tsurugasaki, 2- Shunya Goto, 11- Chihito Natsui.
Japan Scorers: Tri: Hiroki Yoshida, Masakatsu Hikosaka and Shunya Goto; Conversion: Hiroki Yoshida.
In their third match, Japan lost their third bout in a row, losing 35-17 to France. Five converted tries from the French destroyed any chances Japan had of winning with Paul Albaladejo touching down twice and booting all five conversions. Shunya Goto scored a first half try as Japan trailed 28-5 at halftime and although Hiroki Yoshida closed the gap to 28-12 with a converted try early in the second period the deficit was too big to overcome. Masakatsu Hikosaka scored a try at the death, but by then the game was well and truly lost.
Knockout results for Japan
Day 2: Saturday, 07 February 2015
Match 27: Bowl Quarter Final, Argentina 38 d Japan 5
Japan: 3- Hiroki Yoshida, 8- Yoshikazu Fujita, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 10- Kazushi Hano, 6- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 4- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lomano Lemeki.
Substitutes: 9- Daisuke Natsui, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 5- Yoshiaki Tsurugasaki, 2- Shunya Goto, 11- Chihito Natsui.
Japan Scorers: Try: Lomano Lemeki.
The three losses Japan experienced in Pool A put the Japanese into the Bowl Quarter Finals at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday where they faced Argentina. The Puma Sevens were too strong winning 38-5 and scored six tries to one in the process. Lomano Lemeki scored the only try for Japan in the match whereas Argentina responded with six tries including doubles to Ramiro Moyano Joya, Javier Rojas Alvarez and Segundo Tuculet. The Argentines ran in four tries in the first half to be out to a 26-0 lead at the break and although Lemeki made it 27-5 early in the latter half, more tries followed as the final score line blew out to 38-5.
Match 34: Shield Semi Final, Canada 28 d Japan 21
Japan: 3- Hiroki Yoshida, 8- Yoshikazu Fujita, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 10- Kazushi Hano, 6- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 4- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lomano Lemeki.
Substitutes: 9- Daisuke Natsui, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 5- Yoshiaki Tsurugasaki, 2- Shunya Goto, 11- Chihito Natsui.
Japan Scorers: Tries: Yoshikazu Fujita 2 and Katsuyuki Sakai; Conversions: Katsuyuki Sakai 3.
The loss to Argentina in the Bowl Quarter Finals put Japan into the Shield Semi Finals at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington on Saturday where they faced Canada. The Canadians were fast out of the blocks running in three converted tries in the first five minutes of play to scoot out to a 21-0 lead. Katsuyuki Sakai scored a try for Japan and then added the extras to narrow the gap to 21-7 at the break. Yoshikazu Fujita then crossed twice early in the second half to tie things up at 21-all, giving Japan a shot at bringing up their first win of the tournament. However, Liam Underwood scored late in the half to sway the result to Canada and eliminate Japan from the competition.
The 52nd National Championship 2015
Prior to 2009, the National Championship had an 8-team format for three years. However, from 2009, the number of teams increased to ten with the inclusion of two extra Top League sides with the tournament involving six Top League sides, the two top university teams, the winner of the Top Challenge Series and the Top Club team. In 2014, the ten-team format was retained but the Top Challenger and Top Club side were dropped with the university sides increasing from two to four. Thus, the National Championship now involves six Top League sides and four universities. In 2015, the format from the previous year was retained with the first round of the 52nd National Championship 2015 kicking off on Sunday, 08 February 2015.
The top four finishers on the final Japan Rugby Top League table in Group A in Stage 2 automatically qualify for the National Championship. At the completion of Stage 2 of the 2013-14 Top League season, Kobelco Steel Kobe Steelers topped the table followed by Panasonic Wild Knights, Toshiba Brave Lupus and Yamaha Jubilo,. These four teams also participate in the Lixil Cup 2015, the Top League play-offs with the two teams taking part in the final, that is, Panasonic and Yamaha, receiving byes over the first two rounds of the National Championship.
In 2010, the Wildcard Tournament was introduced for the Top League sides that finished fifth to tenth on the final table. These six sides played off over two weekends to determine the final two Top League participants after the top four Top League finishers gained automatic qualification.
In 2014, the Wildcard Tournament involved eight sides, that is, fifth to eighth in Group A and first to fourth in Group B. Toyota Verblitz and Yamaha Jubilo qualified for the National Championship.
In 2015, the Wildcard Tournament again involved eight sides, that is, fifth to eighth in Group A and first to fourth in Group B. Suntory Sungoliath and NEC Green Rockets qualified for the National Championship.
The two universities that participated in the 51st National University Championship final gained admission to the National Championship. Teikyo University defeated the University of Tsukuba in the final and consequently Teikyo qualified as University 1 and Tsukuba qualified as University 2. Furthermore, the two other semi-finalists from the Championship, namely, Tokai University and Keio University also qualified.
Round One
Date: Sunday, 08 February 2015
Suntory Sungoliath (Top League Wildcard) 62 d University of Tsukuba (University runner-up) 7
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
Kick-off: 11:45
Referee: Kyosuke Toda
Attendance: 3,936
Wrap-up
In cold, wet conditions at Chichibu on Sunday, Suntory Sungoliath were too good for the University of Tsukuba, comfortably winning 62-7 in the first round of the 2015 National Championship. The Sungoliath scored ten tries, five in either half with No8 Hiroki Yamamoto scoring the only try for the students at the death. The conditions did not lend themselves to open rugby, but Suntory who failed to qualify for the Lixil Cup play-offs and are now aiming for their seventh national title, found plenty of space to run into throughout the match. The five pointers were evenly shared around the Suntory team with flanker Justin Downey getting a double while outside centre Kotaro Matsushima, five-eighth Tusi Pisi and inside centre Ryoto Nakamura were among the other try scorers. Pisi and Nakamura added six conversions between them as Suntory now look ahead to facing Kobe on this ground in the second round next Sunday.
Teikyo University (University champion) 31 d NEC Green Rockets (Top League Wildcard) 25
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
Kick-off: 14:05
Referee: Taizo Hirabayashi
Attendance: 5.099
Wrap-up
Teikyo became the first university to beat a Top League side in the National Championship since Waseda beat Toyota back in 2006 when they ran out 31-25 winners in the second game at Chichibu on Sunday. NEC failed to play to their strengths with the likes of giant wing Nemani Nadolo inconspicuous throughout while they allowed the students to play at their own rhythm. Conversely, Teikyo gave the Green Rockets a lesson in commitment, teamwork and self-belief as they now go on to play Toshiba in the second round next Sunday. No8 Nili Latu was the standout player for NEC and he started the scoreboard ticking over with an early try. However, over the remainder of the opening half, Teikyo took the game to NEC with five-eighth Rikiya Matsuda and No8 Shun Kawaguchi dotting down for the university champions. There were questions of obstruction on both tries, but the points stood as the teams went to halftime locked at 17-all. NEC were flat and lacked clear direction as the second half progresses, whereas Teikyo were inspired and full of purpose. Matsuda and NEC five-eighth Yu Tamura traded penalties in the latter half with the turning point coming in the thirty-fifth minute when wing Seiya Ozaki scored the third Teikyo try to open up an eight-point gap. NEC narrowed the difference to three points, but time beat them in the end.
Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers (Top League) 76 d Keio University (University semi-finalist) 7
Venue: Mizuho Rugby Park, Nagoya
Kick-off: 11:45
Referee: Kimitoshi Shiozaki
Attendance: 1,961
Wrap-up
Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers highlighted the ever-growing gap between Top League and university sides with this comprehensive 76-7 whitewash of Keio University. The students made it as far as the semi-finals in the university championship this year but were well out of their depth against Kobe who ran in twelve tries to one. The Steelers led 28-7 at halftime and then increased the pressure in the second stanza with eight more tries logging a high score. Lock Ryuta Yasui scored a hat trick while wing Rakuhei Yamashita scored a double for the Steelers who were in a different class to their student rivals. Kobe now go on to face Suntory in the second round, a team they have defeated twice this season. Kobe made it through to the Championship final last year where they lost to Panasonic and the Steelers are now looking for their first national crown since 2001 when they shared the title with Suntory after the final was drawn 27-all.
Toshiba Brave Lupus (Top League) 59 d Tokai University (University semi-finalist) 12
Venue: Mizuho Rugby Park, Nagoya
Kick-off: 14:05
Referee: Kazuhito Taniguchi
Attendance: 2,230
Wrap-up
Toshiba Brave Lupus made sure of their place in the second round of the National Championship with a straightforward 59-12 victory over Tokai University in Nagoya on Sunday. The Top League outfit were never under threat as they ran in nine tries to two against the national university semi-finalists. Game captain in No8 Michael Leitch and South African centre Frans Steyn scored two of the four first half tries as Toshiba led 28-0 at the break. The Brave Lupus tries kept coming in the second half as the score got out to 45-0 before Tokai finally got on the board with a try in the twenty-fourth minute. Halfback Takahiro Ogawa was instrumental in the win with a late try along and seven conversions helping to seal the win for Toshiba. The Brave Lupus play Teikyo University in round two after the students defeated NEC in their first round clash.
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