RUGBY IN JAPAN VOL.12, No.13

31 March 2015

Written by Ian Mcdonnell
Contact ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp

Edited by Gary Carbines for http://rugby-international.blogspot.com.au/

RiJ has a lot of reading this issue with wraps of the Hong Kong Sevens, Junior Japan at the Pacific Challenge and the Japan High Schools tour of Scotland and France.

Enjoy the read.

CONTENTS

• World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2015
• HSBC World Rugby Sevens-Hong Kong
• Japan High Schools Tour of Scotland and France 2015

World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2015

The Junior Japan side competed in the World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2015 at Suva in Fiji. Junior Japan were in Pool A with Samoa A and the Argentina Pampas XV and played cross-pool matches against Canada A, Tonga A and Fiji Warriors.

Placement Play-offs

Monday 23 March 2015
Final (17:00): Pampas XV 17 d Fiji Warriors 7.
Third place play-off (15:00): Canada A 28 d Samoa A 26

Fifth place play-off (13:00): Tonga A 43 d Junior Japan 24

Junior Japan lost all three cross-pool matches to Canada A, Fiji Warriors and Tonga A to finish on the bottom of Pool A and then faced Tonga A who finished last in Pool B in the fifth place play-off at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on Monday 23 March.

Tonga A took the result 43-24, outscoring Junior Japan seven tries to four. In a free-running game, Noguchi, Horikoshi, Ozaki and Tatafu were the try scorers for the Juniors. The Japanese trailed 28-10 at the half time break but got to 33-24 late in the game before the Tongans ran in two late tries to blow out the final score line. The defeat handed Junior Japan the wooden spoon for the tournament.

After the final match, head coach Ryuji Nakatake commented, “This was our best performance of all four games at this tournament. However, we still have things to work on and a lot of careless mistakes today saw the game slip away from us. Japan has the only team here made up entirely of under-twenty players and it was an excellent opportunity for this side to develop. One of our biggest goals for this tour was to see which players could make it at the international level and with that in mind we have learned a lot about our players.”

Captain and hooker Kosuke Horikoshi noted, “In the first half, we tried to pressure the Tongan attack into making mistakes. It worked to a certain extent, but we were still behind at the break. Out attack functioned well and we got close in the second half before falling away at the end. At this tournament, we could not put into practice what we trained in camp to do and now we have to go away and think about our defence and how to maintain pressure on our opposition.”

Pool Games

Pool A

Pos.	Team	P	W	L	+/-	Pts.
1	Pampas XV	3	3	0	47	14
2	Samoa A	3	2	1	-18	9
3	Junior Japan	3	0	3	-171	1

Pool B

Pos.	Team	P	W	L	+/-	Pts.
1	Fiji Warriors	3	2	1	103	11
2	Canada A	3	1	2	29	6
3	Tonga A	3	1	2	10	6

Game 1: Canada A 69 d Junior Japan 17
Game 2: Fiji Warriors 83 d Junior Japan 0
Game 3: Tonga A 60 d Junior Japan 24

HSBC Sevens World Series 2014-15

Round 6, Hong Kong Sevens

27-29 March 2015, Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong

In 2015, a total of 40 international teams across three competitions marked 40 years of Sevens in Hong Kong. In addition to the HSBC Sevens World Series Core Team Competition for the 15 core teams and Belgium, the 12-team international series qualifier tournament and the 12-team Hong Kong Women’s Sevens competitions took place.

After winning the USA Sevens Cup title last month, Fiji made it back-to-back titles when they defeated defending champions New Zealand 33-19 in the Cup Final at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens on Sunday.

Meanwhile, South Africa came in third after they beat Samoa 26-5 in the Third Place Play-off. Other winners in Hong Kong included Australia who beat USA 21-17 in the Plate Final, Scotland who beat France 26-5 in the Bowl Final and Kenya who beat Japan 26-7 in the Shield Final. For Japan though, it was another disappointing tournament with three straight losses in Pool C followed by a further loss to Scotland in Bowl Quarter Final. Japan beat Belgium in the Shield Semi Final before then losing to Kenya in the final. After six of nine rounds, Japan are the lowest ranked side of the fifteen core teams on 7 points, well behind fourteenth-placed Portugal on 22 points. South Africa head the overall standings with 110 points from Fiji on 108 points and New Zealand on 107 points.

In other news from Hong Kong, Russia beat Zimbabwe 22-19 in the World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier to become the fifteenth core team for next season. Russia will replace the lowest ranked core side from the current season. In women’s Sevens action, Canada defeated Japan 24-12 in the final of the Hong Kong Sevens.

 
Courtesy World Rugby

The Japan Sevens Squad for Hong Kong

No.	Name	Club	DOB	Age	Hgt/Wgt
1	Lote TUQIRI	Hokkaido Barbarians	12/11/1987	27	188/98
2	Shunya GOTO	Honda Heat	04/12/1989	25	189/95
3	Daniel HEENAN	Panasonic Wild Knights	17/11/1981	33	196/111
4	Hiroki YOSHIDA	Toshiba Brave Lupus	16/11/1981	33	180/85
5	Lomano Lava LEMEKI	Honda Heat	20/01/1989	26	179/95
6	Yusaku KUWAZURU	Coca-Cola Red Sparks	23/10/1985	29	188/97
7	Katsuyuki SAKAI (c)	Toyota Industries Shuttles	07/09/1988	26	172/88
8	Masakatsu HIKOSAKA	Toyota Verblitz	18/01/1991	24	177/92
9	Rakuhei YAMASHITA	Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers	30/01/1992	23	174/85
10	Takashi SUZUKI	Kubota Spears	18/01/1981	34	166/73
11	Chihito MATSUI	Doshisha University	11/11/1994	20	182/78
12	Kazuhiro GOYA	Ryutsu Keizai University	21/04/1993	21	170/77

Staff

Head Coach: Tomohiro Segawa (JRFU).
S&C Coach: Noriyasu Miyama (JRFU).
Skills Coach: Roger Randle (JRFU).
Technical Coach: Hiroyuki Hamamura (Ryukoku University).
Team Doctor: Atsushi Tasaki (St Luke’s International Hospital).
Physiotherapist: Yasutaka Tatsumi (Kyushu Kyoritsu University).
Analyst: Masahiro Komori (JRFU).
Team Manager: Yasuhiro Iijima (JRFU).

Pools

Pool A	Pool B	Pool C	Pool D
Fiji	New Zealand	South Africa	USA
Canada	Australia	France	England
Samoa	Scotland	Argentina	Kenya
Belgium	Portugal	Japan	Wales

Pool C Games for Japan

Day 1: Friday, 27 March 2015

Match 2 (18:32): France 24 d Japan 7

Japan: 8- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 1- Lote Tuqiri, 3- Daniel Heenan, 5- Lomano Lemeki, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 10- Takashi Suzuki, 11- Chihito Matsui.

Substitutes: 4- Hiroki Yoshida, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 6- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 2- Shunya Goto, 9- Rakuhei Yamashita.

Japan Scorers: Try: Chihito Matsui; Conversion: Katsuyuki Sakai.

France overwhelmed Japan in their opening Pool C match at the Hong Kong Stadium in Hong Kong on Friday winning 24-7. Chihito Matsui was the try scorer for Japan but the French responded with four tries to run away with the match. The French led 19-0 at halftime and although the Japanese won the second half, France had the runs on the board for the win. Bourahoua, Candelon, Parez and Vakatawa scored the tries for the victors while Bourahoua also added two conversions. Japan were left a man down after injury to Daniel Heenan ruled him out of the rest of the tournament.

Day 2: Saturday, 28 March 2015

Match 12 (12:18): South Africa 27 d Japan 0

Japan: 8- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 6- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lote Tuqiri, 5- Lomano Lemeki, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 10- Takashi Suzuki, 11- Chihito Matsui.

Substitutes: 4- Hiroki Yoshida, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 2- Shunya Goto, 3- (Daniel Heenan), 9- Rakuhei Yamashita.

In their second match, Japan came up against the might of South Africa. The South Africans ran in three tries in the first half to build a 17-0 lead at the turn around and then wrapped things up with two more tries after the break. Dippenaar, Geduld, Kok, Smith and Speckman were the try scorers for the Springboks with Du Preez adding a conversion. Japan were kept scoreless against their fancied rivals and now have to aim for a win over Argentina in their final pool game.

Match 18 (15:36): Argentina 19 d Japan 14

Japan: 8- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 6- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lote Tuqiri, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 5- Lomano Lemeki, 11- Chihito Matsui, 9- Rakuhei Yamashita.

Substitutes: 4- Hiroki Yoshida, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 10- Takashi Suzuki, 2- Shunya Goto, 3- (Daniel Heenan).

Japan Scorers: Tries: Masakatsu Hikosaka and Lomano Lemeki; Conversions: Shunya Goto and Katsuyuki Sakai.

In their third match, Japan came agonisingly close to their first win in Hong Kong, eventually losing 19-14 to Argentina. The Japanese got on the board first with a converted try to Hikosaka in the second minute of play, but Muller Aranda returned the favour with a late try to tie things up at 7-all by halftime. After the break, further tries to German Schultz and Etchart pushed Argentina ahead 19-7 before a late try to Lomano narrowed the final difference to just one try. Japan in the end finished at the bottom of their pool.

Day 3: Sunday, 15 February 2015

Knockout results for Japan

Match 28: Bowl Quarter Final, Scotland 28 d Japan 7

Japan: 8- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 6- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lote Tuqiri, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 5- Lomano Lemeki, 11- Chihito Matsui, 9- Rakuhei Yamashita.

Substitutes: 4- Hiroki Yoshida, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 10- Takashi Suzuki, 2- Shunya Goto, 3- (Daniel Heenan).

Japan Scorers: Try: Kazuhiro Goya; Conversion: Kazuhiro Goya.

The three losses Japan experienced in Pool C put the Japanese into the Bowl Quarter Finals at the Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday where they faced Scotland. Japan were well and truly in the game at halftime as they trailed 14-7 following a converted try to Kazuhiro Goya. However, the Japanese could not sustain the momentum in the second half as tries to Robertson and Dean secured the 28-7 win for the Scots.

Match 34: Shield Semi Final, Japan 42 d Belgium 7

Japan: 6- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 1- Lote Tuqiri, 2- Shunya Goto, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 5- Lomano Lemeki, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 9- Rakuhei Yamashita.

Substitutes: 4- Hiroki Yoshida, 8- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 10- Takashi Suzuki, 11- Chihito Matsui, 3- (Daniel Heenan).

Japan Scorers: Tries: Lomano Lemeki 2, Yusaku Kuwazuru, Katsuyuki Sakai, Shunya Goto and Rakuhei Yamashita; Conversions: Katsuyuki Sakai 6.

The loss to Scotland in the Bowl Quarter Finals put Japan into the Shield Semi Finals where they faced Belgium. In a fast and furious match, Japan crossed for six tries, all of which were converted by Katsuyuki Sakai, eventually coming out on top 42-7. A double to Lomano Lemeki got Japan out to an early 14-0 lead before Hart crossed for Belgium to narrow the gap to 14-7. However, that only slowed down the Japanese onslaught with Rakuhei Yamashita closing out the half with a try to take the sides to the break with Japan leading 21-7. Shunya Goto, Yusaku Kuwazuru and Sakai got the five pointers in the second half with the win taking Japan through to the Shield Final.

Match 41: Shield Final, Kenya 26 d Japan 7

Japan: 8- Masakatsu Hikosaka, 6- Yusaku Kuwazuru, 2- Shunya Goto, 12- Kazuhiro Goya, 5- Lomano Lemeki, 7- Katsuyuki Sakai (c), 1- Lote Tuqiri.

Substitutes: 4- Hiroki Yoshida, 10- Takashi Suzuki, 11- Chihito Matsui, 3- (Daniel Heenan), 9- Rakuhei Yamashita.

Japan Scorers: Try: Katsuyuki Sakai; Conversion: Katsuyuki Sakai.

In the Shield Final, Kenya beat Japan 26-7. Captain Katsuyuki Sakai led the way in the opening half with a converted try tying up things at 7-all at the break, but the Kenyans exerted their dominance as the latter half progressed. Three tries to the Africans in the second period denied Japan any glory in Hong Kong.

At the completion of the tournament, head coach Tomohiro Segawa said, “Cracks in our defence led to too many line breaks, while we could not find our rhythm in attack. At this level, we have to play to our best in every game if we are to win. We got away with a few things against non-core Belgium, but the likes of Kenya, Scotland and France punished us for mistakes. We could not produce the results we wanted, but one of the pleasing things to come out of Hong Kong was that we narrowed the difference on the scoreboard in every game.”

Captain Katsuyuki Sakai said, “We aimed to make the Cup quarters in Hong Kong, but unfortunately that did not happen. However, we have our home tournament in Tokyo next round and we are looking to make the Cup quarters in front of our home fans.”

Coming Up

Round 7, Japan Sevens
4-5 April 2015, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo

Round 8, Scotland Sevens
9-10 May 2015, Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

Round 9, England Sevens
16-17 May 2015, Twickenham Stadium, London

Japan High Schools Tour to Scotland and France 2015

Game 1: Scotland U19 66 d Japan High Schools 12

Game 2: Scotland U19 50 d Japan High Schools 12

Game 3: Japan High Schools 43 d Stade Francais U22 19

Game 4: France U19 89 d Japan High Schools 12

In the fourth and final game on tour, Japan High Schools played France U19 at the Centre National de Rugby in Paris on Wednesday 25 March 2015 with the hosts winning 89-12. The French led 42-0 at the break and although flanker Yutaro Sotooka and centre Doga Maeda touched down for tries in the second half, the home side kept up the pressure to run out overwhelming winners.

After their final tour game, coach Susumu Takano said, “The players gave it their all today. We tried to be aggressive in defence and tackle low and hard, but the French were very skilful and powerful. We also failed to protect our ball at the breakdown and this led to a lot of turnovers. Over the course of the tour, we realised there is a gap in skill and physicality and this is something we have to address. Our players have made great strides forward on this tour, and in the third game showed what we can do.”

Captain and lock Daichi Akiyama said, “We went into the game today to win. However, the French were far more physical then we imagined and their speed and support in attack was incredible. We had very limited opportunities to attack, but took our chances when they came along. This side has grown both on and off the field on tour through exposure to international rugby and now we have to take our game to the next level.”