RiJ has been working back through the history of Japan tests and this week looks at the England U23s test on the tour of Europe in 1973. Round Five of Top League was played over the weekend and finally, RiJ profiles Kintetsu.
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: Japan tour to Wales, England and France-The English section.
- Lack of Rugby in English Language Print Media in Japan
- Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13: Round 5
- Top League Team Profile: Kintetsu Liners
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.
Japan Tour to Wales, England and France 1973
In September and October 1973 Japan toured Wales, England and France playing eleven games on tour winning two and losing nine. Wales did not accord test status to the test against Japan and thus caps were not awarded with the team playing as Wales XV. Japan accorded the match against Wales test status and awarded caps. In England, Japan played England U23s according test match status and caps to the match. In the test against France, both France and Japan accorded the game test status and awarded caps.
After one win and three losses against Welsh regional sides, Japan were humbled 62-14 by Wales XV at Cardiff Arms Park in the opening test of their European tour in the autumn of 1973. Although Japan had suffered a number of big losses over the previous 37 tests including the 55-8 loss to NZU in Tokyo in 1967, the 54-6 loss to Oxford and Cambridge in Osaka in 1959, the 56-3 loss to the Junior All Blacks in Tokyo in 1958 and the 52-0 loss to Oxford in Tokyo in 1952, this was the first time Japan had conceded over sixty points. The fact that the value of the try increased from three to four points in 1971 compounded the extent of the loss in Cardiff as Japan had actually conceded more tries in the above quoted losses, including thirteen tries against NZU in 1967.
From Wales, Japan moved to England for the middle phase of the tour and in the only game before the second test, Japan recovered their composure to go down narrowly to Midland Counties in Leicester. The next match was the test against England U23s at Twickenham on Saturday, 13 October 1973 in what was Test No.39 and Japan Game No.92. It was also the second test in a row for the Yokoi brothers with Hisashi as Japan coach number ten, and younger brother Akira as Japan captain number twenty-one in partnership as coach and captain.
Although this was not the full England side, Japan put on a courageous display in front of the 20,000 fans at Twickenham in going down 19-10. The young English scored four tries to two but had their work cut out throughout the match as they eventually built on their 8-6 halftime lead as the second half progressed. England opened the scoring with an unconverted try but Japan responded with a try to fullback Nobuyuki Ueyama with the conversion by flanker Yoshiharu Yamaguchi pushing Japan in front 6-4. However, a second try to the hosts saw the home side take an 8-6 lead into the halftime break. In the second half the young English used their bigger forwards to control the pace of the game up front while a barrage of kick and chase kept Japan under pressure. Two more tries stretched the lead to 16-6 twenty minutes into the second half before a second Ueyama try narrowed the difference to 16-10. Nevertheless, there was to be no joy for Japan as England U23s fullback Dusty hare put an end to the comeback with a late penalty to go with the two tries he scored earlier in the match to finish the scoring. Japan lost 27-19 and 6-3 to the visiting England XV in 1971 and the scoreline in this test was a reflection on that tour.
Yokoi made a number of changes to strengthen the starting line-up to the one that went down heavily in Cardiff, particularly in the forwards, by including a number of tried and tested players. The older and more experienced Mitsuo Atokawa was recalled as hooker to replace Kazumi Ohigashi while at tighthead Masaaki Shimozono was brought back for his tenth test for Kazuhito Yoshino who played his one and only test against Wales XV. Further, age and experience were also preferred in the second row with Hiroshi Ogasawara replacing Koichi Shibata. Yoshiharu Yamaguchi was also reinstated on the side of the scrum in what would be his thirteenth and final test and given the goal kicking duties. In the backs, the older and wiser Fumiharu Shimazaki replaced 20-year-old Masaru Fujiwara at outside centre and Noboru Ueyama made his test debut at fullback for Iwao Yamamoto. Ueyama was the only test debutant in this test after six players debuted the previous Saturday in Wales.
Among the U23s captained by hooker Jon Raphael, a number of players would go on to make names for themselves including fullback Dusty Hare who earned 25 caps for England between 1974 and 1984 while wing Peter Squires would play 30 tests for England and the Lions. Centres Keith Smith and Peter Warfield also went on to the full England side as did five-eighth Neil Bennett. Halfback Steve Smith debuted for England in the Five Nations earlier in 1973 and he would go on to play 28 tests over the next ten years. Prop Phil Blakeway would be a late bloomer in international rugby playing his first test in 1980 at around the age of 30 but he would play 19 tests through to 1985. Lock Bob Wilkinson would play 6 tests over the next few years while backrower Mike Rafter would also represent England.
Game 1: East Glamorgan 23 d Japan 11, 22 September 1973, Penygraig. (Japan Game Number 86)
Game 2: Monmouthshire 26 d Japan 16, 26 September 1973, Pontypool Park, Pontypool. (Japan Game Number 87)
Game 3: West Glamorgan 19 d Japan 6, 29 September 1973, The Gnoll, Neath. (Japan Game Number 88)
Game 4: Japan 12 d Western Counties (Wales) 9, 2 October 1973, Stradey Park, Llanelli. (Japan Game Number 89)
Game 5: Test v Wales XV.
Game 6: Midland Counties (England) 10 d Japan 6, 9 October 1973, Welford Road, Leicester. (Japan Game Number 91)
Game 7: Test v England U23s.
The Lack of Rugby Reporting in the English Language Japanese Print Media.
In Japan the principal English language newspapers are The Japan Times and The Daily Yomiuri. These are fine publications but from an on the ground rugby perspective here in Japan the complete lack of rugby coverage at both papers is a truly worrying sign.
If you share this grave concern, you the reader could contact the Sports Departments at these organisations and express your feelings on this matter.
The Japan Times
Sports Editor: Jack Gallagher
Telephone: (03) 3452-1555
Email: jack@japantimes.co.jp
The Daily Yomiuri
Sports Editor: Kazuki Matsuura
Telephone: (03) 3217-8384
Email: kazu2023@yomiuri.com
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
Round Five
Round Five
| Date | Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue |
| Fri, 05 Oct 2012 | NEC (2Ts) | 21-38 | Panasonic (5Ts) | 19:30 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
| Sat, 06 Oct 2012 | Canon (4Ts) | 34-5 | Kyuden (1T) | 12:00 | Morioka, Iwate |
|
| Toshiba (3Ts) | 21-29 | Toyota (3Ts) | 14:00 | Morioka, Iwate |
|
| Ricoh (7Ts) | 50-17 | Sanix (2Ts) | 12:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| NTT Comm. (2Ts) | 23-15 | NTT Docomo (3Ts) | 14:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| Yamaha (1T) | 13-33 | Kobe (4Ts) | 12:00 | Hanazono, Osaka |
|
| Kintetsu (3Ts) | 24-49 | Suntory (6Ts) | 14:00 | Hanazono, Osaka |
Round Five Preview
In the final night game of the season at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday 5 October 2012, NEC Green Rockets play Panasonic Wild Knights in what is one the matches of the round. NEC lost to Suntory and Toyota in their opening games but then came up with wins over Kintetsu and NTT Docomo while Panasonic have had a roller coaster start to the season beating Ricoh, losing to NTT Comm., beating Sanix and then losing to Toshiba. Consequently, both sides have two wins and two losses from their four games and both can ill afford another loss this early in the season. The Rockets will be trying to get the ball out wide to the blockbusting Nemani Nadolo as much as possible whereas the Knights will be banking on centre Sonny Bill Williams to inspire the team. Either way, if this game opens up and the backs have lots of ball to use then the fans should be in for a real treat.
In one of six Saturday afternoon games, Canon Eagles play Kyuden Voltex in Morioka city in Iwate prefecture. Canon started life in Top League with a win over NTT Docomo then lost to Toshiba, Kobe and Suntory whereas Kyuden have lost to Sanix, Suntory, Toyota and Kintetsu. Both these sides gained promotion to Top League for this season and so there will be something to prove in the two camps. Australian born Philippine international centre Tim Bennett is proving to be a good talisman for the Eagles with his uncanny ability to find his way to the try line and the Kyuden backs will have to mark him well. After four straight losses though, the pressure is starting to build on the Voltex as they search for their first win in an effort to move away from the bottom of the table.
In the second game in Morioka, unbeaten Toshiba Brave Lupus play Toyota Verblitz. Toshiba started the season with scratchy wins over NTT Comm., Canon and NTT Docomo but then hit their straps to convincingly beat Panasonic 32-22 in Tokyo last round. On the other hand, Toyota lost to Yamaha then had wins over NEC and Kyuden before drawing 23-all with Kobe in round four. There is plenty to play for in this clash with Toshiba looking to keep their unbeaten record intact while Toyota need the win to stay in touch with the front runners. Toshiba still do not have David Hill back from a calf strain with Ryohei Yoshida once again starting in the play making position and he will oppose Stephen Brett who is one of the central figures at Toyota this season.
At Chichibu in Tokyo, Ricoh Black Rams play Fukuoka Sanix Blues. Ricoh have had a tough start to the season losing to Panasonic, Kobe, Suntory and NTT Comm. and they must come up with a win this round to spark some confidence. Sanix had a positive start to the season with a win over Kyuden but then lost to Kintetsu, Panasonic and Yamaha over the ensuing rounds. The Rams won this corresponding encounter last season and they will be hoping the home ground advantage of playing in Tokyo will give them an edge over Sanix who have to travel up to the capital from Kyushu. Ricoh will have to tough it out but they will also have to keep a close eye on Karn Hesketh as he is a devastating impact player from the bench against tiring defences late in the second half.
The other game in Tokyo is a battle of the two NTT named sides in the league with NTT Communications Shining Arcs playing NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. NTT Comm. lost to Toshiba in round one but then caused the upset of the season so far when they beat Panasonic in round two before losing to Yamaha and then beating Ricoh on this ground last round. NTT Docomo are struggling to find form early in the season losing convincingly to Canon, Yamaha, Toshiba and NEC but the prospects of a win over their NTT rivals should be all the motivation they need. NTT Comm. have a highly spirited side with the likes of five-eighth Yoshio Kimishima and No8 Todd Clever leading the way so a lot of responsibility will fall on the senior players in the Hurricanes like Mils Muliaina to lift the side to their much needed first win of the year.
In the first Top League games at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka this season, Yamaha Jubilo play Kobelco Steelers. Yamaha are quietly going about their business but with good wins over Toyota, NTT Docomo, NTT Comm. and Sanix they are shaping up as the dark horse in this competition. Kobe too have had a solid start to their season with wins over Kintetsu, Ricoh and Kyuden before drawing with Toyota last round. Thus, this a matchup between two of the unbeaten sides after four rounds and both will be looking to maintain the momentum and stake a claim to a top four spot at the end of the season. Yamaha can rely on fullback Ayumu Goromaru with the boot, while Peter Grant will try to match him in the kicking department with one of these two men perhaps determining the final outcome of this match.
In the other game in Osaka, Kintetsu Liners play Suntory Sungoliath. Kintetsu have had an up and down season losing to Kobe, beating Sanix then narrowly losing to NEC before beating Kyuden last round. However, the Liners will have to be right on top of their game in their first home fixture of the season if they are to match it with Suntory. The Sungoliath have beaten NEC, Kyuden, Ricoh and Canon with maximum points from their first four games to sit alone on top of the table on 20 points as the league pacesetters. As the defending Top League champions Suntory have not put a foot wrong so far this season with likes of George Smith and Fourie du Preez leading from the front.
Round Five Wrap-up
After the fifth round of the 2012-13 Japan Rugby Top League season played on the weekend of 05 and 06 October 2012, Suntory Sungoliath sit on top of the table as the only team with a maximum 25 points followed by Kobelco Steelers who are still unbeaten after four wins and a draw on 20 points. Both Toshiba Brave Lupus and Yamaha Jubilo suffered their first losses of the season this round and they are on 18 points to round out the top four. They are followed by Panasonic Wild Knights on 16 points from Toyota Verblitz on 14 points and NTT Communications Shining Arcs in seventh place on 13 points. Kintetsu Liners and Canon Eagles are on 11 points from NEC Green Rockets on 10 points. Meanwhile, Ricoh Black Rams now have 6 points after their first win of the season on the weekend to push them above Fukuoka Sanix Blues on five points. That leaves Kyuden Voltex on three points and NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes on the bottom of the table are still yet to open their account this season.
In the final night game of the season at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday 5 October 2012, NEC Green Rockets went down to Panasonic Wild Knights 38-21in what was one the matches of the round. Both sides came into this match with two wins and two losses from their four games and neither could afford another loss this early in the season but it was the Knights that took maximum points from their five tries to two victory leaving the Rockets to lick their wounds. Panasonic halfback Nicholas Ealey scored two of the tries for his side while wing Akihito Yamada also got on the scoresheet. It was still nil-all after the first twenty minutes of play but Panasonic finished off the first half with two tries to take a 14-3 lead into halftime. Two penalties from Yu Tamura narrowed the gap to 14-9 early in the second half but Yamada’s try in the 11th minute ignited the Panasonic attack with two further five-pointers blowing out the scoreline to 35-9 at one point before NEC closed out the game with two tries.
In one of six Saturday afternoon games, Canon Eagles beat Kyuden Voltex 34-5 in Morioka city in Iwate prefecture in a battle between the two sides that gained promotion to Top League for this season. The Eagles outscored the Voltex four tries to one and even though Kyuden were still in the game when they were only down 10-5 at the hour mark, Australian born Philippine international centre Tim Bennett , who is proving to be a good talisman for the Eagles with his uncanny ability to find his way to the try line crossed the Kyuden whitewash twice over the final quarter to help his side to their second win in Top League. However, after five straight losses, the pressure is starting to build on the Voltex as they search for their first win in an effort to move away from the bottom of the table.
In the second game in Morioka, previously unbeaten Toshiba Brave Lupus suffered their first loss of the season in going down to Toyota Verblitz 29-21. Both sides ended up scoring three tries apiece and with Toyota holding on to the slimmest of leads at 8-7 at the break it looked like this one was going down to the wire. However, the Verblitz turned up the heat from the outset of the second period with a Stephen Brett penalty in the second minute followed by tries to Hayden Hopgood and Takashi Kikutani getting Toyota out to a handy 23-7 lead. As expected though, Toshiba fought back with two converted tries but two more Brett penalties kept Toyota in front to the final whistle.
At Chichibu in Tokyo, Ricoh Black Rams chalked up their first win of the season with an emphatic 50-17 victory over Fukuoka Sanix Blues. The Rams won this corresponding encounter last season and the home ground advantage of playing in Tokyo seemed to give them an edge over Sanix who had to travel up to the capital from Kyushu. After left wing and captain Daisuke Komatsu scored the first of seven Ricoh tries in only the fifth minute of play the Black Rams were always in control. Ricoh led 22-10 at halftime and although veteran Sanix fullback Ryuji Koga touched down for the first score in the latter half a second try to Komatsu on the hour mark put an end to the Sanix resistance with the Black Rams then adding another three tries.
The other game in Tokyo was a battle of the two NTT named sides in the league with NTT Communications Shining Arcs playing NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes with the former proving they were the better side on the day with a hard-fought 23-15 win. The Red Hurricanes outscored their opponents three tries to two on the losing side but it was the boot of the Arcs five-eighth Yoshio Kimishima that proved the difference after he converted both tries and adding three penalties. NTT Comm. led 14-5 at halftime but when lock Yoichiro Tsuchiya scored the third Docomo try to make it 20-15 with ten minutes to play the game was there for either side to take. As it panned out though, the third Kimishima penalty eventually denied the Red Hurricanes even a losing bonus point to see them remain pointless on the bottom of the table.
In the first Top League games at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka this season, Yamaha Jubilo lost to Kobelco Steelers 33-13. Yamaha have been quietly going about their business but with four good wins leading into this game but Kobe too have had a solid start to their season with three wins and a draw. With the Steelers earning five points from this win it maintains the momentum to stake a claim at a top four spot at the end of the season. Yamaha rely on fullback Ayumu Goromaru with the boot, but he was given limited opportunities in this encounter with Kobe controlling and flow of the match in a disciplined display. Former Japan five-eighth Kyohei Morita started in the Kobe No.10 jersey and his kicking game produced a match winning conversion and three penalties before he was replaced late in the game.
In the other game in Osaka, Kintetsu Liners were defeated by Suntory Sungoliath 49-24. The Sungoliath have now beaten NEC, Kyuden, Ricoh, Canon and Kintetsu to collect maximum points from their first five games to sit alone on top of the table on 25 points as the league pacesetters. As the defending Top League champions Suntory have not put a foot wrong so far this season with this six tries to three win showing that they are the team to beat this season. Japan outside centre Koji Taira scored the only try in the first half with centre partner Hiroki Miyamoto converting the try and kicking two penalties to see Suntory to the break with a 13-3 lead. The game opened up in the second half with both sides playing expansive rugby but a hat-trick of tries to veteran Suntory winger Hirotoki Onozawa put the result beyond doubt.
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
|
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Suntory | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 201 | 104 | 97 | 5 | 0 | 25 |
| 2 | Kobe | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 133 | 79 | 54 | 2 | 0 | 20 |
| 3 | Toshiba | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 164 | 94 | 70 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 4 | Yamaha | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 158 | 100 | 58 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 5 | Panasonic | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 181 | 106 | 75 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| 6 | Toyota | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 110 | 111 | -1 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| 7 | NTT Comm. | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 97 | 97 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| 8 | Kintetsu | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 129 | 113 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 9 | Canon | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 126 | 114 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 10 | NEC | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 125 | 134 | -9 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 11 | Ricoh | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 106 | 138 | -32 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
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