RiJ has been working back through the history of Japan tests and this week looks at the England XV tour to Japan in 1971. RiJ wraps up round two of Top League 2012-13 and profiles Suntory.
Enjoy the read.
Ian McDonnell lives and works in Japan. He can be contacted at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp
CONTENTS
- Japan Test Match & Player History Project: England XV tour to Japan
- Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13: Round Two
- Top League Team Profile: Suntory Goliath
The Japan Test Match & Player History Project
For nine years now RiJ has been documenting Japanese rugby across various levels of the game. More recently, however, RiJ has recognised the need to accurately document the history of Japanese test match rugby and the players that have represented Japan down through the years. With this in mind, RiJ has embarked on a project to write the history of Japanese international rugby, detail every test that Japan has played and profile every player that has represented Japan.
England XV Tour to Japan 1971
In September and October 1971 England XV toured Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Sri Lanka playing three games on tour in Japan winning all three with the year 1971 the centenary year of the formation of the RFU and the first rugby test played between England and Scotland on 27 March 1871. England did not accord test status to the matches against Japan and thus caps were not awarded with the team playing as England XV. Japan accorded the matches against England test status and awarded caps.
After the Japan leg, the England XV tour continued on to Hong Kong, Singapore and Sri Lanka where they beat Hong Kong 26-0 on 30 September, Singapore 39-9 on 03 October, Sri Lanka 40-11 on 06 October and then 34-6 on 08 October.
Also of note in 1971, the British and Irish Lions toured Australia and New Zealand in June to August. The tour started in Australia with two matches against Queensland and then New South Wales before moving to New Zealand for four tests with the Lions winning two, drawing one and losing one.
The first test against England XV at the Hanazono ground in Osaka on the holiday Friday, 24 September 1971 for Autumn Equinox Day saw Japan play their first test match in eighteen months with the previous test against the visiting New Zealand Universities in Tokyo in March 1970. This was Japan test number 33 and Japan game number 73 and for head coach Tetsunosuke Onishi, now in his fifth and final year in the job, this was his eleventh test in charge for 4 wins and 7 losses. The second test of the series under lights at the Chichibu ground in Tokyo on Tuesday, 28 September 1971 was Japan test number 34 and Japan game number 74 and Onishi finished his international coaching career with 4 wins and 8 losses from 12 tests. In Osaka, centre Akira Yokoi at thirty years of age and the oldest player in the Japan line-up was once again captain in what was his tenth international. Yokoi as Japan captain number 21 had previous captained Japan against NZU the previous year and he would go on to captain his country a further seven times in a career that went through to 1974 and included a total of 17 caps. However, in Tokyo, in the absence of Yokoi, right wing Tadayuki Ito was captain in his eleventh test as the most capped player in the line-up. Ito too, as Japan captain number 19 had once before captained his country, against Thailand in January 1970.
Although it had been a year and a half since Japan last played a test there were a lot of familiar names in the team with only two players making their debuts in the two test series in Ricoh No8 Yoshihiro Murata and Kamaishi centre Koji Miyata. Otherwise, under the watchful eye of Onishi, this was a particularly stable squad and this stability was shown out on the scoreboard with the England XV struggling to beat Japan in both tests, winning 27-19 after the scores were tied at 19-all late in the match in the first test in Osaka and then 6-3 in a tryless encounter in Tokyo in the second test.
The value of the try increased from three to four points in 1971 and England XV scored five tries to two in the first test with Murata and Ricoh wing Makoto Mizutani the try scorers for Japan while flanker Yoshiharu Yamaguchi retained the goal kicking duties landing one conversion and three penalties. Five-eighth Dick Cowman and wing Rod Webb were the first half try scorers for the English. The scores were locked at 19-all in front of 13,000 fans at Hanazono with five minutes left on the clock but tries from right wing Peter Clover in the 37th minute and centre Jeremy Janion in the 38th minutes saved face for the English.
The Japan performance in Osaka set up the prospects for what could have been a spectacular win in Tokyo with 25,000 people filling the Chichibu stadium for this mid-week evening test under lights. In fact, the ground was filled to over-capacity with the organisers forced to allow fans to sit on the grass inside the perimeter fence. Although there were no tries scored in this test, the 6-3 result went down in the history books of Japanese international rugby as one of the greatest games ever, despite the loss. England XV led 6-0 at the break on the back of two first half penalties fullback Peter Rossborough and Yamaguchi landed a second half penalty for Japan’s only points to finish the game with a dramatic 6-3 win for the visitors.
The England squad contained a number of players who would go on to make names for themselves including prop Fran Cotton and lock Roger Uttley. Cotton made his international debut earlier in the 1971 season against Scotland and he would play 38 tests for England and the Lions, captaining England three times through to his last test against Wales in 1981. The 22-year-old Uttley would have to wait till February 1973 to play his first test, against Ireland but would then go on to earn 27 caps for England and the Lions captaining England five times. Flanker Tony Neary also made his debut earlier in 1971 and he would earn 43 caps for England and one more cap for the Lions in a career that went through to 1980.
Elsewhere in the squad, flanker Budge Rogers who captained England XV in the second test in Tokyo earned 36 caps for England and the Lions in the 1960s was one of the more experienced players. Wing Peter Glover also earned three caps for England between 1967 and 1971, five-eighth John Finlan earned 13 caps 1967-73, wing Rodney Webb earned 12 caps 1967-72, centre Robert Lloyd who was captain in the first test in Osaka earned 5 caps 1967-8, halfback Nigel Starmer-Smith earned 7 caps 1969-71 and is well known as the voice of the IRB Sevens World Series, centre Christopher Wardlow earned 6 caps 1969-71, No8 Ronald Charlie Hannaford earned 3 caps in 1971, fullback Peter Rossborough earned 7 caps 1971-5, lock Christopher Ralston earned 23 caps 1971-5 including one for the Lions in 1974, five-eighth Dick Cowman earned 5 caps 1971-3, centre Jeremy Janion earned 12 caps 1971-5 and hooker Peter Wheeler earned 41 caps 1975-84.
Game 1: England XV 56 d All-Waseda University 4, 21 September 19712, Chichibu, Tokyo.
Japan 19 – England XV 27. Friday, 24 September 1971, Hanazono, Osaka. (Test No.33, Japan Game No.73)
Japan 3 – England XV 6. Tuesday, 28 September 1971, Chichibu, Tokyo. (Test No.34, Japan Game No.74)
NB: Friday, 24 September 1971 was a public holiday in Japan for Autumn Equinox Day. Tuesday, 28 September 1971 was a regular business day with the test played in the evening.
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
Round Two
Round Two
| Date | Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue |
| Fri, 07 Sep 2012 | Canon (2Ts) | 15-21 | Toshiba (3Ts) | 19:30 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
| Sat, 08 Sep 2012 | NEC (2Ts) | 26-27 | Toyota (3Ts) | 17:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| Suntory (4Ts) | 34-29 | Kyuden (5Ts) | 19:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| Ricoh (2Ts) | 15-26 | Kobe (2Ts) | 18:00 | Kanazawa, Ishikawa |
|
| Kintetsu (4Ts) | 34-13 | Sanix (1T) | 18:00 | Nagai II, Osaka |
|
| NTT Docomo | 9-41 | Yamaha (6Ts) | 19:00 | Suzuka, Mie |
| Sun, 09 Sep 2012 | Panasonic (3Ts) | 22-25 | NTT Com (3Ts) | 13:00 | Sapporo, Hokkaido |
Round Two Preview
In a night game at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday 07 September 2012, newly promoted Canon Eagles face the might of Toshiba Brave Lupus. Canon got life in Top League off to a perfect start with a four-try bonus point 38-14 win over NTT Docomo in Osaka in the opening round last weekend but it will be a different story against Toshiba. As five-times Top League champions the Brave Lupus are set to be one of the front runners again this season and so Canon will have to pull out all stops to match it with their fancied rivals. Although Toshiba did it tough against a resilient NTT Com last week on this same ground they still came away with a 26-16 win, even if they could not pick up a bonus point.
In the first game of a double-header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday evening, NEC Green Rockets play Toyota Verblitz. NEC went down to Suntory 39-15 in the opening game of the new season at Chichibu last Friday night and will face Toyota who are also coming off a first round loss. In a tight game in Nagoya last Saturday Toyota did not have the start they were looking for in their opening game in front of their home fans going down 26-12 to Yamaha. Although this is only the second round of the season, the pressure is already on teams like NEC and Toyota to come up with wins, especially against the stronger sides in the league. Thus, there will be no quarter given or taken in what promises to be a battle royale.
In the second game in Tokyo, reigning champions Suntory Sungoliath play newly promoted Kyuden Voltex. Suntory have had a change in coach and captain since last season put they have picked up where they left off with an emphatic 39-15 win over NEC on this ground last Friday in a game that kicked off the tenth season of Japan Rugby Top League. Suntory have strength in the depth of their bench and their squad overall and this showed over the final twenty minutes of their match against NEC when they piled on the pressure. Kyuden can expect a hard time of it too over the closing stages of this encounter and it will certainly test the fitness of the team who have played the past two seasons in the regional Kyushu league.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Ricoh Black Rams and Kobelco Steelers travel to the Seibu Ryokuchi Park Stadium in Kanazawa city in Ishikawa prefecture for their round two clash. Ricoh came up against Panasonic in their opening game in Tokyo last weekend going down 44-13 whereas Kobe had a 19-6 win over Kintetsu in Kobe city. Last year Ricoh came out on top 31-27 in the corresponding game and on paper there is very little between these two sides again this year and so another tight match can be expected. The goal kicking of Kobe five-eighth Peter Grant could be a decisive factor whereas fellow South African Wynand Olivier who gets his first run-on start in Top League in the centres for Ricoh could be a game breaker for the Rams.
Kintetsu Liners are at home in Osaka this weekend when they play Fukuoka Sanix Blues at the Nagai Number 2 Stadium. Kintetsu lost to Kobe 19-6 last Saturday and they will be looking for their first win of the new season over the Blues in the second round of the 2012-13 season. However, on the other hand, Sanix had a positive start to the new year with a 31-13 win over Kyuden in Fukuoka in the opening round. Kintetsu will be a tough nut for Sanix to crack in their own backyard but former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn is in the starting line-up for the Blues and with five-eighth Hiroshi Tashiro in good form with the boot, the Liners will not have things all their own way.
NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes and Yamaha Jubilo travel to Suzuka in Mie prefecture for their fixture this weekend. NTT Docomo were stunned by the newest team in Top League in the form of Canon last weekend when they went down 38-14 and they cannot afford to let that happen against Yamaha. Yamaha are a solid team that take their opportunities when they come along and in the first round they ground out a well-deserved 26-12 win over Toyota in Nagoya. Yamaha are well served by goal kicking ace Ayumu Goromaru at fullback and the Red Hurricanes can ill-afford to give away penalties within his kicking range. Last season Yamaha won 49-41 in a high scoring match and if NTT Docomo can rekindle that form they will give Jubilo a run for their money.
In the only Sunday game in round two, Panasonic Wild Knights and NTT Communications Shining Arcs travel to Hokkaido for their round two match. The Tsukisamu Rugby Ground in Sapporo city will play host to the Wild Knights and the Shining Arcs in an early afternoon match away from the heat and humidity of most of the rest of Japan. Last Saturday evening at Chichibu in Tokyo, Panasonic beat Ricoh 44-13 and picked up a bonus point in the process while at the same venue NTT Com lost 26-16 to Toshiba. Panasonic are an experienced and well-drilled side and they will be a big Challenge for the Shining Arcs. However, despite going down to Toshiba in their opening match NTT Com showed a lot of spirit and if they can take that form to Sapporo they might have a few surprises in stall for the Knights.
Round Two Wrap-up
After the second round of the 2012-13 Japan Rugby Top League season played on the weekend of 7, 8 and 9 September 2012, Suntory Sungoliath sit on top of the table as the only team with a maximum ten points. Yamaha Jubilo are second on nine points followed by Kobelco Steelers and Toshiba Brave Lupus both on eight points. Panasonic Wild Knights and Canon Eagles are next on six points with Kintetsu Liners in seventh place on five points. Fukuoka Sanix Blues, NTT Communications Shining Arcs and Toyota Verblitz have all had one win for four points leaving Kyuden Voltex on two points, NEC Green Rockets on one point while Ricoh Black Rams and NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes are still yet to open their accounts in the new season.
In a night game at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday 07 September 2012, newly promoted Canon Eagles faced the might of Toshiba Brave Lupus eventually going down 21-15. Canon got life in Top League off to a perfect start with a win over NTT Docomo in Osaka in the opening round but it was a different story against Toshiba. As five-times Top League champions the Brave Lupus are set to be one of the front runners again this season and so Canon had to pull out all stops to match it with their fancied rivals. Although Toshiba started this match on a positive note with three first half tries, Canon came out and won the second half 8-0 and even though the Brave Lupus collected the win they could not pick up a bonus point for the second week in a row. The Eagles went away with a losing bonus point to go with their full points from round one to keep their momentum going. Toshiba inside centre Taiki Watanabe was named man-of-the-match.
In a dramatic first game of a double-header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday evening, NEC Green Rockets played Toyota Verblitz with the Verblitz scraping home 27-26. With the final hooter sounding in the background the result hinged on a penalty attempt from NEC replacement Yu Tamura, however, the kick sailed wide of the posts leaving Toyota to take the one point win. Although this is only the second round of the season, the pressure is already on teams like NEC and Toyota to come up with wins, especially after both lost in the opening round and this clash lived up to expectation with no quarter given or taken in what was a battle royale. Toyota started the match with a try to Steven Yates in the second minute converted by Stephen Brett but NEC fought back to take a 17-10 lead into halftime. The Green Rockets kept their noses in front throughout the second half until Yates scored his second try in the 35th minute with Yusuke Kuromiya landing the crucial conversion to give Toyota a 27-26 lead.
In the second game in Tokyo, reigning champions Suntory Sungoliath beat newly promoted Kyuden Voltex 34-29. Although Suntory picked up maximum points they had to fight tooth and nail till the final whistle to avoid what could have been a dramatic upset. Suntory led 28-17 at the break and with the four try bonus point already in the bag the Sungoliath could be accused of taking their eye off the ball in the second half. Centre Ryan Nicholas stretched the lead to 31-17 in the ninth minute of the second half before Kyuden started their fight back. Matthew Luamanu brought up the bonus point fourth try for the Voltex in the 14th minute and when fullback Yusuke Aramaki touched down two minutes later with five-eighth Genki Saito adding the extras to make it 31-29 it was game on over the final quarter of the match. Peter Hewat added a penalty in the 22nd minute to make it 34-29 and although Kyuden had their chances it was Suntory that hung on for the win.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Ricoh Black Rams and Kobelco Steelers travelled to the Seibu Ryokuchi Park Stadium in Kanazawa city in Ishikawa prefecture for their round two clash with Kobe winning 26-15 after both sides scored two tries apiece. Kobe led 10-3 at halftime before Ricoh grabbed the lead 15-10 with a Roy Kinikinilau try in the 11th minute of the second half. However, the goal kicking of Kobe replacement five-eighth Kyohei Morita who came on for Peter Grant at the start of the second half was a decisive factor with the former Japan playmaker landing a conversion and three penalties to tie up the win for the Steelers.
Kintetsu Liners were at home in Osaka on the weekend when they played Fukuoka Sanix Blues at the Nagai Number 2 Stadium scoring a decisive 34-13 win. Kintetsu lost to Kobe last Saturday and they brought up their first win of the new season with a bonus point win over the Blues in the second round of the 2012-13 season. However, on the other hand, Sanix had a positive start to the new year with a win over Kyuden in Fukuoka in the opening round but Kintetsu were a tough nut to crack in their own backyard. The scores were tied at 10-all by the mid way point in the first half before a try to centre Jeffrey Ierome helped the Liners to a 17-10 lead at the break. From there Kintetsu were never headed gradually stretching their lead as the second period wore on. To put the icing on the cake, Lepuha Latuila touched down in the 36th minute for the four try bonus point to give Kintetsu maximum points from the win.
NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes and Yamaha Jubilo travelled to Suzuka in Mie prefecture for their fixture this weekend with Yamaha claiming the spoils 41-9 scoring six unanswered tries in the process. NTT Docomo were stunned by the newest team in Top League in the form of Canon last weekend when they went down 38-14 and they suffered more of the same against Yamaha in round two. Yamaha are a solid team that take their opportunities when they come along and they led from start to finish with fullback Ayumu Goromaru getting the scoring going in the third minute with a penalty. Wing Shinji Nakazono scored two of the three first half tries to get the Jubilo out to a commanding 22-6 lead by the completion of the first stanza with Yamaha going on with the job in the second forty with three more tries. Although Goromaru was sinbinned late in the first half for dangerous play, he completed the scoring with four conversions and a penalty from the match.
In the only Sunday game in round two, Panasonic Wild Knights and NTT Communications Shining Arcs travelled to Hokkaido for their round two match with NTT Com chalking up an extraordinary 25-22 victory. Panasonic led 22-3 early in the second half and with Sonny Bill Williams in the starting line-up for his first game in Japan the Wild Knights looked to be cruising to victory at the Tsukisamu Rugby Ground in Sapporo city. The game then took a remarkable twist with Yoshio Kimishima, Alesana Tuilagi and Hiraku Tomoigawa crossing for tries to give NTT Com a 25-22 lead with ten minutes left on the clock. The expected final burst from Panasonic never came and NTT Com caused the upset of the season so far by beating the runners-up from last year. NTT Com are only in their third season in Top League and although they have beaten Kobe, Toyota and NEC in the past, this was by far their biggest scalp.
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
|
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Suntory | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 73 | 44 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 2 | Yamaha | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 67 | 21 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 9 |
| 3 | Kobe | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 21 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 4 | Toshiba | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 31 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 5 | Panasonic | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 66 | 38 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 6 | Canon | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 53 | 35 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 7 | Kintetsu | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 40 | 32 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | Sanix | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 44 | 47 | -3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | NTT Com | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 48 | -7 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 10 | Toyota | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 52 | -13 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 11 | Kyuden | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 65 | -23 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 12 | NEC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 41 | 66 | -25 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 13 | Ricoh | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 28 | 70 | -42 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | NTT Docomo | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 79 | -56 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Four points for win, two for draw, one bonus point for four tries or more (BP1) and one bonus point for losing by seven or less (BP2).
Leading Point Scorers
At the completion of round two, Panasonic fullback Atsushi Tanabe tops the point scorers list with 31 points.
|
| Name | Team | T | G | PG | Pts |
| 1 | Atsushi Tanabe | Panasonic | 0 | 5 | 7 | 31 |
| 2 | Ayumu Goromaru | Yamaha | 0 | 6 | 5 | 27 |
| 3 | Yoshio Kimishima | NTT Com | 1 | 3 | 5 | 26 |
| 4 | Ryan Nicholas | Suntory | 0 | 8 | 3 | 25 |
| 4 | Ryohei Mitomo | Canon | 1 | 4 | 4 | 25 |
| 4 | Hiroshi Tashiro | Sanix | 0 | 2 | 7 | 25 |
| 7 | David Hill | Toshiba | 0 | 5 | 4 | 22 |
| 8 | Shotaro Onishi | Kintetsu | 0 | 4 | 4 | 20 |
| 9 | Peter Grant | Kobe | 0 | 2 | 5 | 19 |
| 10 | Shinji Nakazono | Yamaha | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| 10 | Akihito Yamada | Panasonic | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
Leading Try Scorers
At the completion of round two, Yamaha wing Shinji Nakazono and Panasonic wing Akihito Yamada top the try scorers list with 3 tries.
|
| Name | Team | Tries |
| 1 | Shinji Nakazono | Yamaha | 3 |
| 1 | Akihito Yamada | Panasonic | 3 |
Round 2 Man-of-the-match Awards
| Date | Teams | Score | Teams | Ground | MOTM |
| Fri 07 Sep 2012 | Canon | 15-21 | Toshiba | Chichibu, Tokyo | Taiki Watanabe, Centre |
| Sat 08 Sep 2012 | NEC | 26-27 | Toyota | Chichibu, Tokyo | Stephen Yates, Fullback |
|
| Suntory | 34-29 | Kyuden | Chichibu, Tokyo | Kensuke Hatakeyama, Prop |
|
| Ricoh | 15-26 | Kobe | Kanazawa, Ishikawa | Pasuka Mapakaitolo, No8 |
|
| Kintetsu | 34-13 | Sanix | Nagai II, Osaka | Daiki Toyota, Prop |
| NTT Docomo | 9-41 | Yamaha | Suzuka, Mie | ||
| Sun 09 Sep 2012 | Panasonic | 22-25 | NTT Com | Sapporo, Hokkaido |
Top League Profiles 2012-13
(1) Suntory Sungoliath
http://www.suntory.co.jp/
2012-13 Introduction: Last season (2011-12) Under the guise of Eddie Jones Suntory swept all before them collecting the Top League and National Championship double. However, Jones has since moved on to become the head coach of the Japan national side with Suntory stalwarts Naoya Okubo as manager and Keisuke Sawaki as head coach taking over where Jones left off.
Nevertheless, Suntory as the reigning champions will come into the new season as favourites to defend their title. The Sungoliath have some of the cream of local rugby talent in their ranks such as tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama, flanker Takamichi Sasaki, halfback Atsushi Hiwasa, centre Koji Taira and wing Hirotoki Onozawa. Meanwhile, the overseas talent is just as impressive with the likes of lock Dannie Rossouw, flanker George Smith, halfback Fourie de Preez, five-eighth Tusi Pisi and fullback Peter Hewat in the squad. Suntory lost Todd Clever to NTT Communications in the off-season but New Zealand born lock Timothy Bond is a new acquisition from Teikyo University. Five-eighth Kosei Ono who played in the Japan team this spring also links up with Suntory from Sanix.
Established: Suntory were established in 1980. Suntory are based in the western Tokyo area of Fuchu. The team mascot is a gorilla. For the moniker Sungoliath, “Sun” refers to the sun in the sky and “Goliath” refers to the David and Goliath story.
The team slogan for 2012-13 is, “HUNGRY”.
The Company: beverage maker of such consumables as beer, whiskey and a variety of waters, soft drinks and coffees.
Titles:
Top League – twice (2007-8 and 2011-12); runners-up twice (2010-11 and 2006-7).
From the 2003-4 season to the 2005-6 season, Top League consisted of 12 teams and the team that finished on top of the table claimed the title. In the 2006-7 season, Top League was increased to 14 teams with the top four finishers on the ladder progressing to the Microsoft Cup, the play-off series to determine the overall Top League champion. From the 2009-10 season, the Microsoft company did not renew their naming rights sponsorship and so the finals series became known as the Top League Play-off Tournament.
2011-12 (14 teams): Champions. 1st on table on 57 points with 12 wins and 1 loss. Beat NEC 56-8 in Play-off semi-final and Panasonic 47-28 in final.
2010-11 (14 teams): Runners-up. 4th on table on 50 points with 10 wins and 3 losses. Beat Toshiba 17-12 in Play-off semi-final then lost to Sanyo 28-23 in final.
2009-10 (14 teams): 2nd on table on 58 points with 11 wins and 2 draws. Lost to Toshiba 35-24 in Play-off semi-final.
2008-9 (14 teams): 3rd on table on 51 points with 10 wins and 3 losses. (See 2009 Microsoft Cup below for further details)
2007-8 (14 teams): Champions. Finished 2nd on table on 53 points with 10 wins, a draw and 2 losses. (See 2008 Microsoft Cup below for further details)
2006-7 (14 teams): Runners-up. 2nd on table on 56 points with 11 wins and 2 losses. (See 2007 Microsoft Cup below for further details)
2005-6 (12 teams): 6th on table on 32 points with 6 wins and 5 losses.
2004-5 (12 teams): 8th on table on 24 points with 4 wins and 7 losses.
2003-4 (12 teams): 4th on table on 37 points with 8 wins and 3 losses.
Microsoft Cup – (as a standalone Cup 2004-2006) none; runners-up once (2006).
From 2004 to 2006 the Microsoft Cup was a separate knock-out tournament for the top 8 finishers in Top League. From 2007 the Microsoft Cup acted as the play-off finals series to determine the overall Top League champion with the top four finishers on the Top League ladder progressing to the Microsoft Cup. The Microsoft company did not renew their naming rights sponsorship for the 2009-10 Top League season and so the 2010 finals series became known as the Top League Play-off Tournament.
2009: Knocked out by Sanyo 32-22 in semi-final.
2008: Champions. Beat Toyota 33-10 in semi-final. Beat Sanyo 14-10 in final.
2007: Runners-up. Beat Yamaha 40-39 in semi-final. Lost to Toshiba 14-13 in final.
2006: Runners-up. Beat Yamaha 35-17 in first round & Kubota 44-25 in semi-final. Lost to Toshiba 33-18 in final.
2005: Knocked out by eventual champion Toshiba 33-13 in first round.
2004: Knocked out by eventual champion NEC 5-32 in first round.
National Championship – 5 times (2012, 2011, 2002, 2001 (joint champions with Kobe after final drawn 27-all) and 1996); runners-up 3 times (2009, 2008 and 2003).
After 22 teams participated in the 2004 National Championship it was reduced to 8 teams for 2005 consisting of the top four Top League sides, the top two universities, the top challenger from lower divisions and the top club side. In 2009 the number of teams was increased to ten with two additional Top League sides.
For 2010 the Wildcard Tournament was introduced to the National Championship for the Top League sides that finished fifth to tenth on the final table. In 2011 these six sides were: Kobe (fifth on 36 points), NEC (sixth on 34 points), Ricoh (seventh on 32 points), Sanix (eighth on 32 points), Kintetsu (ninth on 31 points) and Coca-Cola (tenth on 28 points). The teams played off over two weekends with Kobe and Ricoh winning the right to participate in the NC as the final two Top League participants. In 2012 the Wildcard Tournament was abbreviated to the four teams that finished fifth to eighth with fifth placed Kintetsu Liners playing eighth placed Yamaha Jubilo and sixth placed Kobe Steelers playing seventh placed Ricoh Black Rams. Kobe beat Ricoh 32-19 and Yamaha beat Kintetsu 17-15 with the winners thus qualifying for the up-coming 49th National Championship.
2012 (49th NC - 10 teams): Champions. As champion in TL Play-off, entered NC at SF stage. Beat Toshiba 23-8 in SF and Panasonic 21-9 in final.
2011 (48th NC - 10 teams): Champions. As runners-up in TL Play-off, entered NC at SF stage. Beat Kobe 37-33 in SF and Sanyo 37-20 in final.
2010 (47th NC - 10 teams): drew with NEC 10-all in the first round but lost on lottery ballot.
2009 (46th NC - 10 teams): Runners-up. Beat Kubota 62-17 in first round, beat Waseda University 59-20 in second round and then won by default in the semi-final after Toshiba withdrew from the Championship over a doping scandal involving wing Christian Loamanu. Lost to Sanyo 24-16 in final.
2008 (45th NC - 8 teams): Runners-up. Beat Toshiba 25-14 in SF. Lost to Sanyo 40-18 in final.
2007 (44th NC - 8 teams): Lost to Toyota 39-17 in semi-final.
2006 (43rd NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.
2005 (42nd NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.
2004 (41st NC - 22 teams): Knocked out by NEC 34-27.
Corporate Champions – 3 times (2003, 2002 and 1996 (joint champions with Sanyo after final was drawn 27-all)); runners-up 3 times (1999, 1998 and 1990). The Corporate Championship started in 1949 and ended with the 55th Corporate Championship in 2003 as a consequence of the introduction of Top League as the national corporate league in the 2003-4 season.
Colours: The Suntory strip for 2012-13 combines a jersey with a black body and yellow shoulders, sleeves and flanks, black shorts and socks. Their second jersey has a sky blue body with black shoulders, sleeves and flanks.
Style of Play: In the 2011-12 season Suntory Sungoliath took the Top League and National Championship double and can again be expected to be right up there again in 2012-13. Former head coach Eddie Jones has moved on to coach the national Japan side with Naoya Okubo coming in as the new coach this year with lock Shinya Makabe the new captain. Suntory again have some impressive overseas names in their squad for the 2012-13 season in an indication that they will be one of the teams to beat this year, if not the team to beat. George Smith, Danie Rossouw and Fourie du Preez are part of a top shelf of overseas players to complement the considerable local talent and Suntory seem to have all bases covered this year and they are definitely a team that is growing and years away from peaking.
Although there has been a change in the coaching regime and a new captain has been installed, do not expect too many radical changes in the Suntory approach this year.
Players to Watch: Twenty of the Suntory squad of forty-seven for the 2012-13 season have international experience while many of the younger Japanese players in the squad have represented Japan at age grade levels. As such, this is a very experienced and talented group of rugby players with that essential blend of youth and experience, a fine balance between local and overseas players.
Suntory have a big, strong pack with backrower Juntaro Takemoto handing over the captaincy to lock Shinya Makabe this season with one of the strengths in the forwards the depth of talent. In the front row, former Japan props Akira Ozaki and Yosuke Ikegaya are still helping to guide current national props Kensuke Hatakeyama and Shinsuke Nakamura. Former national rake Takashi Yamaoka retired at the end of last season with Yusuke Aoki the primary hooker this year. In the second row, Koji Shinozuka, Makabe, South African Danie Rossouw and Timothy Bond will be competing for spots this season. New Zealand born Bond was part of the successful Teikyo University sides over the past four years and he will be hoping for game time in an attempt to impress national selectors. The stocks in the backrow department are full to overflowing too with former Japan captain Takamichi Sasaki, Takemoto and former Wallabies legend George Smith looking to form a lethal combination.
Suntory also have a wealth of talent in their backs. In close is former Springbok halfback Fourie du Preez and Atsushi Hiwasa who has now earned 15 caps for Japan. New Zealand born five-eighth Tusi Pisiata is another player who has come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years and he returns to Suntory after a stint with the Hurricanes in the off-season. Kosei Ono has switched from Sanix this season and as the incumbent Japan No.10 he will pressure Pisi for a starting position. New Zealand born centre Ryan Nicholas and Koji Taira are a tried and tested combination for both Suntory and Japan, while out wide wing Hirotoki Onozawa continues to get better with age while Yasunori Nagatomo has also represented Japan. At the back Peter Hewat and Go Aruga will fight it out for the starting spot in the No.15 jersey.
Japan Cap holders in the current squad: (16)
In 2012, in the HSBC A5N series, Suntory were represented by tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama, locks Koji Shinozuka and Shinya Makabe, backrower Takamichi Sasaki, halfback Atsushi Hiwasa, five-eighth Kosei Ono and wings Hirotoki Onozawa and Yasunori Nagatomo. Centre Koji Taira was included in the original squad but had to withdraw from the squad to fully recover from injury and undergo conditioning. Onozawa who occupied the left wing position in three tests finished the series with 71 caps for Japan and now only has record holder former centre Yukio Motoki (79) ahead of him. Furthermore, the eight tries he scored his overall total advance to fifty-one international tries to overtake Rory Underwood on 50 (91 tests, England, Lions, 1984-1996) leaving only Shane Williams on 59 (90 tests, Wales, Lions, (2000-2011), David Campese on 64 (Australia, 101 tests, 1982-1996) and Daisuke Ohata on 69 (Japan, 58 tests, 1996-2006) ahead of him. Both Sasaki and Ono were recalled to the national squad for the first time since the 2007 RWC, while Shinozuka and Makabe were included after a long absence. In the IRB PNC series, Suntory were represented by Hatakeyama, Makabe, Shinozuka, Sasaki, Hiwasa, Ono, Onozawa, centre Ryan Nicholas and Nagatomo. Fullback Go Aruga was also included in the original squad but had to withdraw due to injury.
At the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Suntory were represented by hooker Yusuke Aoki who started against New Zealand and was then an unused reserve in the other three games, tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama who started against France and Tonga and was also used from the bench against New Zealand and Canada, halfback Atsushi Hiwasa who started against New Zealand and then had game time in the other three tests from the bench, inside centre Ryan Nicholas who started against France, Tonga and Canada, outside centre Koji Taira who started against France and New Zealand though an injury sustained in the latter game ruled him out of the rest of the tournament and wing Hirotoki Onozawa. During the four tests of the RWC, Onozawa became the eleventh Japanese player to play in three RWCs. He has also scored a try in each of those three RWCs in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Onozawa played in all four games in 2011 bringing his total appearances at RWCs to 12, overtaking the previous record held by Masahiro Kunda and Yukio Motoki with 9 each. He is also now second on the test cap list for Japan with 68 test appearances.
In 2011, in the HSBC A5N series, Suntory were represented by tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama, halfback Atsushi Hiwasa, centres Ryan Nicholas and Koji Taira, wing Hirotoki Onozawa and fullback Go Aruga. Hiwasa made his debut in the starting line-up in the opening test against Hong Kong. In the IRB PNC series, Suntory were represented by hooker Yusuke Aoki, who was recalled to the national side after a two year absence, Hatakeyama, Hiwasa, Nicholas, Taira, Onozawa and Aruga. In the two warm-up tests for the 2011 RWC against Italy (away) and the USA (home), Suntory were represented by Aoki, Hatakeyama, Hiwasa, Nicholas, Taira and Onozawa. Aruga was included in the initial squad but was forced to return to Japan from camp in Italy to receive treatment for an injury to his left knee.
In 2010, in the HSBC Asian Five Nations 2010 series, Suntory were represented by props Kensuke Hatakeyama and Shinsuke Nakamura, lock Shinya Makabe and centres Ryan Nicholas and Koji Taira. Nakamura joined Suntory in the 2010-11 season after graduating from Nihon University in March 2010. The same five players were included in the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010 with the addition of wing Hirotoki Onozawa who missed the A5N due to an ankle operation. Makabe remained unused throughout the PNC series. In the home autumn tests against Samoa and Russia, Suntory were represented by Hatakeyama in the forwards and Nicholas, Taira and Onozawa in the backs.
In 2009, over the course of the 2009 Asian Five Nations series and the 2009 Pacific Nations Cup, hooker Tateo Kanai made his debut for Japan while hooker Yusuke Aoki, wing Hirotoki Onozawa and centres Ryan Nicholas and Koji Taira also took part in the two series. Onozawa played his 50th test against Korea in the A5N that year becoming only the fourth Japanese player to earn fifty caps for Japan behind former centre Yukio Motoki (79), former No8 Takeomi Ito (62) and former wing Daisuke Ohata (58). In the two home tests against Canada in November 2009, Suntory were represented by tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama, lock Shinya Makabe who made his debut from the bench in the second test, centres Ryan Nicholas and Koji Taira, wing Hirotoki Onozawa and fullback Go Aruga.
In 2008, NZ born centre Ryan Nicholas, lock Koji Shinozuka and props Akira Ozaki and Yosuke Ikegaya debuted for Japan. In the two home tests against the USA in November 2008, tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama made his test debut running on in the No.3 jersey in both tests while hooker Yusuke Aoki and centres Ryan Nicholas and Koji Taira also took part in the series.
At the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, Suntory were represented by veteran wing Hirotoki Onozawa who played in all four games, as No11 against Australia and Wales and came on as No22 against Fiji and Canada. Young flanker/No8 Takamichi Sasaki captained Japan in the opening game against Australia during which he injured his left knee and consequently missed the rest of the Cup. Centre Koji Taira also played in all four games, starting as outside centre against Australia and coming on as a replacement in the other three. Fullback Go Aruga was the run on fullback against Fiji and Canada.
Hirotoki ONOZAWA (416) 34 y/o, 74 tests on wing/fullback.
Ryan NICHOLAS (502) 33 y/o, 38 tests at centre.
Kensuke HATAKEYAMA (515) 27 y/o, 34 tests at tighthead prop.
Koji TAIRA (489) 29 y/o, 32 tests at outside centre.
Yusuke AOKI (490) 29 y/o, 22 tests at hooker.
Go ARUGA (484) 28 y/o, 16 tests at fullback.
Atsushi HIWASA (545) 25 y/o, 15 tests at halfback.
Takamichi SASAKI (494) 28 y/o, 13 tests at flanker/No8.
Kosei ONO (492) 25 y/o, 12 tests at five-eighth.
Yasunori NAGATOMO (536) 27 y/o, 9 tests on wing.
Shinya MAKABE (533) 25 y/o, 9 tests at lock.
Shinsuke NAKAMURA (526) 25 y/o, 6 tests at tighthead prop.
Koji SHINOZUKA (501) 29 y/o, 6 tests at lock/flanker.
Tateo KANAI (525) 27 y/o, 4 tests at hooker.
Akira OZAKI (504) 34 y/o, 3 tests at loosehead prop.
Yosuke IKEGAYA (507) 33 y/o, 3 tests at tighthead prop.
Takashi YAMAOKA (451) 36 y/o (24/04/1976), 13 tests at hooker. Retired at the end of the 2011-12 season.
The Coach: The new head coach at Suntory for the 2012-13 season is Naoya Okubo 36, (27/09/1975). Okubo as Japan player number 377 earned 23 caps for Japan between 1999 and 2004 as a flanker before retiring as a player at Suntory at the end of the 2008-9 season after ten seasons with the club. He has been part of the overall coaching staff at Suntory since retiring but this is his first as the main coach.
Okubo replaced former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones. Jones previously coached at Suntory in 1996 and has had some form of contact with the club ever since. He then went on to coach the Brumbies, the Wallabies, the Reds, was a technical adviser to the Springboks at the 2007 RWC and then director of rugby at Saracens before returning to Japan.
Jones replaced Katsuyuki Kiyomiya who was coach for four years. Kiyomiya took over from Yoji Nagatomo who had the job for the previous three years before that. The charismatic Kiyomiya came to Suntory after 5 years at prestigious Waseda University. At Waseda he took his students to 5 university championship finals, winning three. He had tremendous success at Waseda and back at Suntory he is producing the same sort of results with his old team. In some ways Kiyomiya is going around in circles, that is to say, he learned his rugby as a student at Waseda and then went on to Suntory as a No8. In 1985 Kiyomiya captained the Japan Schoolboys side. While at university as a second year student (1988), Waseda won the university championship title and also went on to win the National Championships with a 22-16 win over Toshiba, the last uni side to do so. He also captained Waseda in his fourth year (1990) as they again won the uni title. As a player at Suntory he was part of the side that won the corporate and national titles in 1996. Upon retiring as a player in 2001 he went back to Waseda as head coach. Thus, Kiyomiya has enjoyed unprecedented success as a player at Waseda and Suntory and then as a coach at Waseda.
In a unique move, Kiyomiya has cut his ties as a company man linked to Suntory and signed one-year professional contracts as head coach. Thus, his presence as head coach was totally results driven. If Suntory had a poor year he previously said he would step aside. He also noted that three years is a possible limit as a coach in a professional team, though he stayed on for a fourth year.
The Captain: The new captain at Suntory for the 2012-13 season is lock Shinya Makabe. Makabe who captained Japan U19 in 2005 and 2006 is in his fourth season with Suntory after graduating from Chuo University.
Makabe took over from backrower Juntaro Takemoto who was captain the two previous seasons under Eddie Jones.
Takemoto took over from backrower Takamichi Sasaki who was the captain for the 2009-10 season. Sasaki captained Japan on two occasions (Against Australia in the 2007 RWC and Australia A in the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup). He was also the captain at Waseda University under former Suntory coach Katsuyuki Kiyomiya.
Centre and Waseda graduate Daigo Yamashita (moved to NTT Communications at the end of the 2009-10 season) was captain for the three years before Sasaki, who in turn took over from halfback Kiyonori Tanaka (retired at the end of the 2010-11 season) who had the job the previous year. Lock Takahiro Hayano (retired at the end of the 2009-10 season) had the job for the 2 years before Tanaka.
Losses: (5)
Shinya OGAWA, 28 y/o (25/05/1984), prop, 184/109, into the company workforce after 5 seasons with club.
Takashi YAMAOKA (451) 36 y/o (24/04/1976), hooker, 175/98, 13 tests, into the company workforce after 13 seasons with club
Todd CLEVER (USA), 29 y/o (16/01/1983), flanker, 193/97, S14 Lions, 40 caps for the USA, to NTT Com after 2 seasons with club.
Yoshinori SOGABE, 28 y/o (06/05/1984), five-eighth, 178/77, to Yamaha after 5 seasons with club.
Ryuji ODA, 27 y/o (12/06/1985), fullback, 190/84, into the company workforce after 4 seasons with club.
Gains: (8)
Ryotaro SUZUKI, 22 y/o (10/12/1989), prop, 183/116, from Meiji University, he has represented Japan at High School and U20 levels.
PARK Soon-Chai (Korea), 27 y/o (20/08/1985), lock, 187/110, from POSCO.
Timothy BOND (NZL), 22 y/o (25/10/1989), lock, 194/111, from Teikyo University, he has represented Japan at Japan A level.
Shota HAGISAWA, 22 y/o (19/01/1990), lock, 187/92, from Ryutsu Keizai University.
Kenta NAKASONE, 23 y/o (05/04/1989, flanker, 180/92, from Keio University, he has represented Japan at High School and U20 levels.
Kazutaka ASHIDA, 22 y/o (07/03/1990), halfback, 172/75, from Kwansei Gakuin University.
Kosei ONO (492) 25 y/o (17/04/1987), five-eighth, 171/82, 12 tests at five-eighth, from Sanix.
Shohei TAKESHITA 22 y/o (07/03/1990), fullback, 177/79, from Hosei University, he has represented Japan at Sevens, High School and U20 levels.
Overseas Players & Staff (8 + 2):
Ryan NICHOLAS (NZL/JPN) 33 y/o (23/05/1979), centre, 192/100, 8th year, NZ Maori, Highlanders S12, 38 caps for Japan.
Tusi PISIATA (NZL), 30 y/o (18/06/1982), five-eighth, 183/91, 4th year, 10 caps for Samoa & 3 for PI, S14 Crusaders, SR Hurricanes.
Peter HEWAT (Aus), 34 y/o (17/03/1978), five-eighth/fullback, 191/101, 3rd year. From London Irish. Australia U21, Australia Sevens, S14 Waratahs.
Fourie de PREEZ (RSA), 30 y/o (24/03/1982), halfback, 182/89, 2nd year, S14 Blue Bulls, 62 caps for Springboks, Blue Bulls.
Danie ROSSOUW (RSA), 34 y/o, (06/05/1978), lock, 196/117, 2nd year, 63 caps for Springboks including victory at the 2007 RWC; Blue Bulls 1999-2011, winning Super title in 2007 and 2009.
George SMITH (AUS), 32 y/o (14/07/1980), flanker, 180/103, 2nd year, 110 caps for Wallabies; Toulon 2010-11; Brumbies 2000-2010, winning the Super title in 2001 and 2004; won John Eales Medal in 2002 and 2008; S14 player of the year 2006-8.
PARK Soon-Chai (Korea), 27 y/o (20/08/1985), lock, 1st year, 187/110, from POSCO.
Timothy BOND (NZL), 22 y/o (25/10/1989), lock, 194/111, 1st year, from Teikyo University, he has represented Japan at Japan A level.
David EDGER (NZL), 40 y/o, head S&C coach.
Ben DARWIN (Aus), 35 y/o, forwards coach.
The 2012-13 Squad: (47) The list starts with captain and vice-captains and then continues through forwards and backs in order from props to fullbacks. All family names come last.
Shinya Makabe, (c). Forwards: Akira Ozaki, Yosuke Ikegaya, Keita Hasegawa, Tateo Kanai, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinsuke Nakamura, Koichi Nitta, Ryotaro Suzuki, Yusuke Aoki, Naoki Ozawa, Hirofumi Kinoshita, Danie Rossouw, Taichi Tahara, Koji Shinozuka, Park Soon-Chai, Yuki Tsujimoto, Timothy Bond, Shota Hagisawa, Shinki Gen, George Smith, Juntaro Takemoto, Takamichi Sasaki, Masakatsu Nishikawa and Kenta Nakasone. Backs: Fourie de Preez, Shuetsu Narita, Atsushi Hiwasa, Mizuki Yanagihara, Kazutaka Ashida, Peter Hewat, Ryan Nicholas, Tusi Pisiata, Naoya Nomura, Hiroki Miyamoto, Kosei Ono, Koji Taira, Go Aruga, Reo Kishiwada, Ryutaro Takemoto, Hirotoki Onozawa, Yasunori Nagatomo, Kenji Miyamoto, Satoshi Oshima, Daishi Murata, Naoki Chono and Shohei Takeshita. Coach: Naoya Okubo (36).
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