RiJ has been working back through the history of Japan tests and this week looks at the final of the Asian Rugby Championship against Sri Lanka in 1974. Top League is in recess over November. The Japan squad embarked on a tour of Europe last Friday and RiJ reports on the historic Japan 34 d Romania 23 test result. RiJ also profiles NTT Com this issue and updates the reader on university rugby.
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: 1974 Asia Rugby Championship
- Japan Tour to Europe 2012
- Top League Profiles: NTT Communications Shining Arcs
- University Rugby 2012-updated
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.
The 1974 ARFU Asian Rugby Championship
The 1974 ARFU Asian Rugby Championship was held in Colombo from 17-23 November 1974. This was the fourth championship. The eight participating teams were divided into two pools with the final between the winners of both pools. In Pool A, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand played out the pool, while Pool B was made up of Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and Laos.
In a warm-up for the championship, Japan arrived early in Sri Lanka to play three games against local sides. In the first game on Wednesday, 6 November Japan beat Sri Lanka A 88-3 at Havelock Park in Colombo with the visitors using their speed and power to score 15 tries. In the second game on Saturday, 9 November Japan beat Sri Lanka B 93-3 at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy in a further display of speed, power and superior technique. In the third and final game on Tuesday, 12 November Japan beat Up Country 122-0 in a walk over in Radella in the Nuwara-Eliya district of the central highlands.
In the championship proper, in Pool A, the Japan XV side beat South Korea 20-7 (Japan game number 114) on 18 November (H) (19 November, Wikipedia), beat Thailand 46-6 (Japan game number 115) on 20 November (H) (21 November, Wikipedia) and then beat Hong Kong 30-18 (Japan game number 116) on 22 November (H) (17 November, Wikipedia), to top the pool and advance to the final. (NB: the dates on Wikipedia and in H are different!!)
In Pool B, Sri Lanka won all three games to top the pool and advance to the final to play Japan.
Only the match against Sri Lanka in the final is counted as an official test with caps awarded in Japanese statistics. Japan played as Japan XV in the games against South Korea, Hong Kong and Thailand.
Heavy rains falling off and on before and during the final made conditions for open rugby difficult and levelled the playing field somewhat for Sri Lanka. After three big wins against local sides immediately prior to the championship Japan were expected to rattle up a score well in excess of fifty point and although conditions played their part the Sri Lankan team rose to the occasion of playing in a final in front of their home crowd with a spirited display. Defence was the key for Sri Lanka in the first half, restricting Japan to an 18-3 lead at halftime and although Japan won the second half 26-3 and claimed the title with an overall 44-6 victory the Japanese had to work hard for the win.
The final against Sri Lanka at Longden Place in Colombo on Saturday, 23 November 1974 was Test No.44 and Japan Game No.117 for Japan. It was the fourth test for Ryo Saito as Japan coach number eleven, while hooker Kazumi Ohigashi was again captain in his sixth and final test as Japan captain number twenty-three.
Earlier in the year Japan went on a successful eleven game tour of New Zealand that included three tests but the starting line-up for the final against Sri Lanka included a number of new faces with seven players on debut. Among the debutants was five-eighth Osamu Koyabu who would only play the one test but would coach Japan in 14 test from 1992 to 1995 including the Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Elsewhere, 20-year-old halfback Yuji Matsuo had an impressive first test scoring a try on debut but this would be the only test he would start in this position. Matsuo from Kamaishi Steel in northern Japan is remembered as one of the greatest No.10s Japan has produced and he would play 24 tests between 1974 and 1984, 5 as captain. Survivors from the side that beat NZU 24-21 in Wellington in May included hooker Ohigashi, prop Susumu Hara as the most capped played in the side with 12 caps, flanker Takeo Ishizuka, No8 Yoshihiro Murata as the only other player in double figures with 10 caps to his name, outside centre Shigetaka Mori and fullback Nobuyuki Ueyama.
Sri Lanka started the scoring with an early penalty but this would be the only time they held the lead in the final. Right wing Susumu Kurihara scored the opening try in the sixth minute to notch up the first of two tries in what would be his one and only test. Centre Mori then kept his try scoring record intact with the second try for Japan in the 9th minute ensuring that he had scored a try in each of his first three tests. Japan extended their lead in the 12th minute when flanker Osamu Yamashita collected a high ball to scramble over for the third Japanese try. Ueyama could not land the conversion, but at 14-3 Japan were starting to take control of the final. The control was tightened that much further when left wing Nobufumi Tanaka became another Japanese player to score a try on debut when he touched down on the half hour mark. The heavy condition made life difficult for the kickers with Ueyama only managing to convert one of four tries while Sri Lanka failed to convert two penalty opportunities in the half.
Japan kept up the pressure as the second half progressed with five-eighth Koyabu getting the first try of the latter half in the 7th minute. This was followed by four-pointers to Yamashita in the 23rd minute, Kurihara in the 25th minute, inside centre Hitoshi Kano in the 29th minute and finally Matsuo in the 33rd minute. However, Sri Lanka had the last say in the final with a second penalty at the death to complete the scoring with Japan winning 44-6.
Japan XV 20 d South Korea 7, Monday 18 November 1974, Colombo. (Japan Game No.114)
Japan XV 46 d Thailand 6, Wednesday 20 November 1974, Colombo. (Japan Game No.115)
Japan XV 30 d Hong Kong 18, Friday 22 November 1974, Colombo. (Japan Game No.116)
Sri Lanka 6 – Japan 44. Saturday, 23 November 1974, Longden Place, Colombo. (Test No.44, Japan Game No.117)
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
Window Month
Top League is on break over November.
Japan Tour to Europe 2012
Japan will tour Europe in the autumn of 2012 with tests against Romania in Bucharest on Saturday 10 November and Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday 17 November and non-test matches against a Basque Selection on Wednesday 21 November and the French Barbarians on Sunday 25 November. This will be the first time Japan have toured in November since the tour to Europe in November 2004.
Japan 34 d Romania 23
Japan 34 – Tries: Takashi Kikutani, penalty try, Hirotoki Onozawa; Conversions: Ayumu Goromaru 2; Penalties: Ayumu Goromaru 5 d.
Romania 23 – Tries: Madalin Lemnaru, penalty try; Conversions: Ionut Florea; Penalties: Andrei Filip 3.
Competition: Japan Tour to Europe 2012.
Date: Saturday 10 November 2012.
Venue: National Rugby Stadium (Stadionul National de Rugby Arcul de Triumf), Bucharest, Romania.
Japan Test Number: 281.
Japan Game Number: TBC.
Kick-off: 4:00 PM local Romania time (11:00 PM Japan time, Japan is 7 hours ahead).
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa, 8th test after debuting Kenya v Zimbabwe 2011). ARs: Christophe Berdos (France) and Stephan Pomarede (France).
Conditions: Clear, no wind, forecast maximum for day 13 degrees centigrade with 11 degrees at time of kick-off. Surface firm, well grassed and fast.
Attendance: Unavailable.
Halftime: Romania 9 – Japan 17.
Yellow Card: Vasile Rus (Romania No.6, 39 min 1H, repeated team infringements).
Head-to-head Encounters:
Japan and Romania have met on four occasions dating back to 1995. Japan have won three and Romania one.
The first meeting between Japan and Romania was played when Romania made a two game to Japan in May 1995 in the build up to the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. In the first game on tour, Romania beat a near full strength Japan Selection side 30-25 at Chichibu in Tokyo on Saturday, 29 April, but then Japan won the test 34-21 on the same ground a few days later on the public holiday of Wednesday, 3 May 1995 for Constitution Memorial Day during the Golden Week period.
The second test between Japan and Romania was during the Japan tour to Europe in 2004. The test was played at the Ghencea II Steua Stadium in Bucharest on Saturday 20 November 2004 with the hosts scoring three tries to one to win 25-10.
The most recent test between the two countries was played during the Super Cup 2005 involving hosts Japan, Canada, Romania and the USA. The Super Cup was a slightly different version of the Super Powers Cup of the previous two years with Japan defeating Romania 23-16 in a night game at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday, 25 May 2005 while Canada defeated the USA 30-16 to progress to the final to meet Japan. Canada took the Cup when they beat Japan 15-10 in the final.
The highest scoring win for Japan was 34-21 at Chichibu in May 1995, while the biggest winning margin was 13 points in the same test. The longest winning sequence for Japan is one win in 1995 and 2005.
The highest scoring win for Romania was 25-10 in Bucharest in November 2004, while the biggest winning margin was 15 points in the same test. The longest winning sequence for Samoa is one win in 2004.
Two of the three tests have been played in Tokyo, while one test has been played in Bucharest. No tests have been played on neutral territory.
Official test results for Japan against Romania
| No. | Date | Result (Home – Away) | Venue | Tournament | Japan Test No. | W/D/L (For Japan) |
| 4 | 10 Nov 2012 | Romania 23 – Japan 34 | Bucharest |
| 281 | Won |
| 3 | 25 May 2005 | Japan 23 – Romania 16 | National Stadium, Tokyo | Super Cup | 204 | Won |
| 2 | 20 Nov 2004 | Romania 25 – Japan 10 | Bucharest |
| 198 | Lost |
| 1 | 03 May 1995 | Japan 34 – Romania 21 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
| 125 | Won |
Japan (IRB rank 16 (67.93), at 05 November 2012)
| Pos. | Name | Club | Age | Hgt/Wgt | Caps |
| 1 | Yusuke NAGAE | Ricoh Black Rams | 27 | 171/105 | 8 |
| 2 | Shota HORIE | Panasonic Wild Knights | 26 | 180/104 | 18 |
| 3 | Hiroshi YAMASHITA | Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers | 26 | 183/120 | 14 |
| 4 | Hitoshi ONO | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 34 | 192/102 | 62 |
| 5 | Luke THOMPSON | Kintetsu Liners | 31 | 196/108 | 38 |
| 6 | Hendrik TUI | Panasonic Wild Knights | 24 | 189/100 | 3 |
| 7 | Michael LEITCH | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 24 | 190/105 | 27 |
| 8 | Takashi KIKUTANI (v-c) | Toyota Verblitz | 32 | 187/100 | 52 |
| 9 | Fumiaki TANAKA | Panasonic Wild Knights | 27 | 166/75 | 32 |
| 10 | Kosei ONO | Suntory Sungoliath | 25 | 171/82 | 13 |
| 11 | Hirotoki ONOZAWA | Suntory Sungoliath | 34 | 180/85 | 75 |
| 12 | Harumichi TATEKAWA | Kubota Spears | 22 | 181/93 | 8 |
| 13 | Tomohiro SEMBA | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 30 | 183/93 | 8 |
| 14 | Toshiaki HIROSE (c) | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 31 | 173/80 | 9 |
| 15 | Ayumu GOROMARU (v-c) | Yamaha Jubilo | 26 | 185/96 | 19 |
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| 16 | Haruki OTA | Kintetsu Liners | 25 | 176/95 | (0) |
| 17 | Takuma ASAHARA | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 25 | 179/114 | (0) |
| 18 | Kensuke HATAKEYAMA | Suntory Sungoliath | 27 | 178/116 | 35 |
| 19 | Ryu Koliniasi HOLANI | Panasonic Wild Knights | 31 | 188/111 | 21 |
| 20 | Michael BROADHURST | Ricoh Black Rams | 26 | 196/110 | 1 |
| 21 | Atsushi HIWASA | Suntory Sungoliath | 25 | 166/71 | 16 |
| 22 | Yu TAMURA | NEC Green Rockets | 23 | 181/88 | (3) |
| 23 | Go ARUGA | Suntory Sungoliath | 29 | 175/84 | 17 |
Head Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS). (8th test as head coach, for 5 wins and 3 losses)
Subs
16 not used.
17 not used.
18 subbed 3, 25 min 2H.
19 subbed 6, 26 min 2H.
20 subbed 5, 25 min 2H.
21 subbed 9, 36 min 2H.
22 not used.
23 subbed 13, 26 min 2H.
NB: The IRB announced a number of global law amendment trials to start on 1 September 2012 in the northern hemisphere and 1 January in the southern hemisphere. One of these amendments is to permit international teams to nominate up to eight replacements.
Romania (IRB rank 18 (64.54), at 05 November 2012)
| Pos. | Name | Club | Age | Hgt/Wgt | Caps |
| 1 | Petru Tamba | Cardiff Blues (Wal) | 21 | 176/108 | 1 |
| 2 | Otar Turashvili | RC Timisoara | 26 | 184/118 | 2 |
| 3 | Horatiu Pungea | RC Timisoara | 26 | 188/130 | 1 |
| 4 | Valentin Ursache | Oyonnax Rugby (Fra) | 26 | 193/112 | 50 |
| 5 | Marius Sirbe | Tarbes (Fra) | 25 | 200/107 | 10 |
| 6 | Vasile Rus | RC Timisoara | 29 | 193/106 | 10 |
| 7 | Viorel Lucaci | Steaua Bucuresti | 26 | 190/103 | 11 |
| 8 | Mihai Macovei (c) | Saint-Nazaire (Fra) | 26 | 194/108 | 33 |
| 9 | Florin Surugiu | CSM Bucharest | 27 | 170/81 | 23 |
| 10 | Andrei Filip | CSM Bucharest | 25 | 172/82 | 1 |
| 11 | Ionut Botezatu | CSM Baia Mare | 24 | 180/80 | 13 |
| 12 | Csabe Gal | CSM Baia Mare | 27 | 184/97 | 51 |
| 13 | Ionel Cazan | Steaua Bucuresti | 23 | 178/86 | 13 |
| 14 | Madalin Lemnaru | RC Timisoara | 23 | 188/95 | 18 |
| 15 | Catalin Fercu | RC Timisoara | 26 | 184/87 | 53 |
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| 16 | Andrei Radoi | CSM Baia Mare | 25 | 181/103 | (18) |
| 17 | Vlad Badalicescu | Dinamo Bucuresti | 24 | 175/111 | 2 |
| 18 | Alin Coste | Bressane (Fra) | 25 | 197/97 | 18 |
| 19 | Alexandru Manta | Lyon OU (Fra) | 35 | 191/110 | 38 |
| 20 | Grigoras Diaconescu | Steaua Bucuresti | 30 | 172/80 | (0) |
| 21 | Ionut Florea | Tulle (Fra) | 24 | 174/83 | 1 |
| 22 | Constantin Gheara | RCJ Farul Constanta | 31 | 181/97 | 15 |
| 23 | Romulus Boar | Universitatea Cluj | 32 | 184/114 | (0) |
Head Coach: Hary Dumitras (7th test as head coach for 4 wins and 3 losses since debut v Portugal 04 Feb 2012 won 15-7)
Subs
16 not used.
17 subbed 3, 21 min 2H.
18 subbed 4, 14 min 2H.
19 subbed 7, 14 min 2H.
20 not used.
21 subbed 10, 18 min 2H.
22 subbed 13, 8 min 2H.
23 not used.
Sources:
Statistics for Japan from RiJ database and JRFU site www.rugby-japan.jp
Statistics for Romania from IRB Preview Romania v Japan. Countries for teams confirmed on ‘Romania national rugby union team’ on Wikipedia. Height and weight from JRFU site.
Preview
On 8 November 2012 the team to face Romania was announced with the reserves being increased from 7 to 8 by the IRB on an experimental basis making the match day squad 23 players.
At the team announcement, had coach Eddie Jones said, “I believe we’ve had very good preparation for this test. Concerning the set piece scrum and lineout, there are a lot of things we have to do, but our spot coaches and Masahiro Kunda as assistant coach have put in a lot of work in this area making significant improvements. We’ve had superb training facilities and the players have adjusted well to the European ground conditions.”
Captain Toshiaki Hirose had the following to say, “We are looking forward to showing the people of Europe our Japanese style of rugby in the first visit to Europe under our new set-up. This really is a great side and we want to win and share the joy with our fans,”
Vice-captain in the forwards Takashi Kikutani said, “We’ve had excellent preparation in camp in the lead up to this tour and now we want to put that into practice in test match conditions. Japan has had 26 losses in previous visits to Europe and we are going to do our all to come up with a win.”
Vice-captain in the backs Ayumu Goromaru said, “I am grateful to be chosen in this team and will proudly represent Japan. Since first being chosen to represent Japan in 2005 it is 7 years since I have played Romania and it is a good opportunity for me to show how much I have improved as a player in that time. Although this is an away game we want to build on what we achieved in the spring and come up with a win.”
Other players to comment included hooker Shota Horie who is back in the Japan squad after playing with Otago in the ITM Cup in New Zealand over the spring and summer and he said, “It is the first time for me to play for Japan this year and I want to put in my all using the experience I gained playing in New Zealand.” Veteran lock Hitoshi Ono had the following to say, “It is an honour for me that this test will bring me alongside the great Takeomi Ito on 62 caps for Japan. Further, Japan have never beaten a European side in Europe and we want to change that fact with a win.” Meanwhile, halfback Fumiaki Tanaka who played with Horie at Otago earlier this year and subsequently will become the first Japanese player to play Super Rugby after linking with the Highlanders for 2013 he said, “I feel I am really fortunate to be able to play rugby under this new coaching group and with these new team mates. We want to play winning rugby and show the world what we can do to make the 2019 RWC in Japan a big success. First up, under Eddie’s guidance and experience we have to beat Romania and open up a new page in Japanese rugby history. To achieve this we need the passionate support of our fans.” Finally, lock Luke Thompson playing his first test since the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand said, “I am extremely happy to wear the Japan jersey for the first time in a year and I will give it my all.”
Former Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones took over from New Zealander John Kirwan as the national coach of Japan in 2012 and started off his tenure with four commanding wins in the HSBC Asian Five Nations 2012 series blooding a number of young players in the process. Following this series, Japan hosted the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012 and although the hosts lost all three tests, there was very little between the sides in the three matches with Fiji winning 25-19 in Nagoya while Tonga won 24-20 and Samoa won 27-26 with the latter two tests played in Tokyo. On the heels of this series, the French Barbarians played two non-tests against Japan XV sides and although the French won both games convincingly it was a good test at international level rugby for many of the younger players in the squad.
In the autumn of 2012 Jones is taking Japan overseas for the first time in November since the ill-fated tour of Europe in 2004 under his predecessor Mitsutake Hagimoto. Japan will play four matches on tour starting with this test against Romania in Bucharest on Saturday 10 November, followed by the test against Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday 17 November and non-test matches against a Basque Selection in Biarritz on Wednesday 21 November and the French Barbarians in Le Havre on Sunday 25 November.
Prior to this test, Japan and Romania have met on three occasions dating back to 1995 with Japan winning two and Romania one. The first meeting between Japan and Romania was played when Romania made a two game to Japan in May 1995 in the build up to the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa with Japan winning the test 34-21 in Tokyo on 3 May 1995. The second test was played on the Japan tour to Europe in 2004 with the hosts scoring three tries to one to win 25-10 at the Ghencea II Steua Stadium in Bucharest on 20 November 2004. The most recent test was played during the Super Cup 2005 involving hosts Japan, Canada, Romania and the USA with Japan defeating Romania 23-16 in a night game at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday, 25 May 2005. Although Japan and Romania have only played three tests the home side has won on every occasion and if the trend continues Romania are looking at a win. However, coming into this fourth encounter, Japan are ranked higher in the IRB World Rankings in sixteenth place (05 November 2012), two places better than their opponents and the end result is anything but predictable.
There are two survivors in the Japan side from the one that beat Romania 23-16 in Tokyo in May 2005 with Hirotoki Onozawa again on the left wing while 19-year-old Ayumu Goromaru had game time from the bench seven years ago but is older and wiser as the starting fullback this time round. In Bucharest in November 2004 lock Hitoshi Ono remained unused on the bench as the only survivor from that test on a tour that is unfortunately well remembered for the 100-8 loss to Scotland and 98-0 loss to Wales either side of the test against Romania. On 3 May 1995, Japan beat Romania 34-21 in Tokyo in the final hit out for both sides in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup in South Africa that kicked off in a few weeks time. Hooker Masahiro Kunda, the assistant coach to Jones on this 2012 tour was captain in that 1995 test while fullback Tsutomu Matsuda is still playing club rugby with Toshiba at the age of 42.
By and large, Jones has stayed loyal to the bulk of the spring squad although there are a number of players returning to national duty with a couple of others in line to make their international debuts. After playing in all seven spring tests Yusuke Nagae is retained as loosehead prop while on the other side Hiroshi Yamashita starts in the No.3 jersey. After spending the early part of the year playing with Otago in the ITM Cup, hooker Shota Horie is back in the national side for his first test since the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In the second row, Ono will line up in his 62nd test, equalling the record of former backrower Takeomi Ito with only present team mate Onozawa (74) and former centre Yukio Motoki (79) ahead of him on the all time list for Japan. Ono will be joined by Luke Thompson who was overlooked by Jones in the spring test as he too plays his first test for Japan since the 2011 RWC. The backrow is a blend of youth and experience with two 24-year-olds in the form of Hendrik Tui and Michael Leitch on the sides with former captain Takashi Kikutani as No8.
In the backs, Fumiaki Tanaka is back in the Japan side after playing with Horie at Otago fresh from signing a deal with the Highlanders as the first Japanese player to play Super Rugby. Kosei Ono will start as the playmaker while at inside centre the bigger Harumichi Tatekawa will continue his rise in international rugby with Tomohiro Semba continuing as outside centre. On the wings, Onozawa just keeps on keeping on in what will be his 75th appearance for Japan on the left wing as he closes in on the overall record of 79 tests currently held by Motoki while Toshiaki Hirose will captain the side from the right wing. Goromaru has consolidated his place as the first choice fullback under Jones and he can also be expected to once again carry the goal kicking responsibilities, although Ono and Tatekawa are also recognised kickers.
The IRB is trailing a number of global law amendments in the November tests in the northern hemisphere and one of these amendments is to permit international teams to nominate up to eight replacements. Jones has named three uncapped players on his expanded bench including hooker Haruki Ota and Toshiba prop Takuma Asahara, while the extra seat on the sidelines allows Jones to carry another prop in the form of the experienced Kensuke Hatakeyama. Back-up No8 Ryu Koliniasi Holani is also back in Japan colours after a serious knee injury sustained in the 2011 RWC kept him out of selection contention earlier in the year. The versatile New Zealand born Michael Broadhurst is the other uncapped player in the reserves list and he is capable of covering lock and backrow positions. Atsushi Hiwasa is the second halfback with Yu Tamura and Go Aruga covering the rest of the backline. After debuting in 2006, the international career of Aruga has often been interrupted by injury as he gets set to play his first test since the win over Fiji in Lautoka in 2011.
The head coach of Romania, Hary Dumitras, is in a similar position to Jones as his counterpart in this test in that he only took over the role early in 2012 and has 4 wins and 2 losses since his first test in charge in the 15-7 win over Portugal in February. Under Dumitras, Romania have won their last four tests, including victory in the IRB Nations Cup in June and with the side on a roll they are looking to make it five in a row against Japan. Romania have 275 caps in the starting line-up as opposed to 371 for Japan but the Oaks will be looking to take as much advantage as possible from playing at home under familiar conditions.
The majority of the players in this Romanian squad are based at home while seven players play overseas, mostly in France. Dumitras has gone for a very inexperienced front row at international level with only one cap in total with props Petru Tamba and Horatiu Pungea debuting in this test while hooker Otar Turashvili is only playing in his second test. There is far more experience in the second row with Valentin Ursache who plays his club rugby with Oyonnax in France running on for his fiftieth cap, while Marius Sirbe who also plays in France with Tarbes will earn his tenth cap. Vasile Rus and Viorel Lucaci are the flankers while the 26-year-old Mihai Macovei is No8 and captain. Florin Surugiu is halfback and his 22 tests of experience will be important in calming the nerves of CSM Bucharest team mate Andrei Filip who is running on for his first test. On the other hand, inside centre Csabe Gal already has a half century of tests for his country and he is partnered by Ionel Cazan in the midfield. Ionut Botezatu is on the left wing with Madalin Lemnaru on the right flank while fullback Catalin Fercu who will be playing his 53rd test is the most capped player in this squad. On his 8-man bench, Dumitras has available to him Andrei Radoi as the reserve hooker and props Vlad Badalicescu and Romulus Boar, while lock Alin Coste and No8 Alex Manta who both play in France bring a lot of experience to the side. Grigoras Diaconescu is the back-up halfback and Ionut Florea the spare five-eighth with both halves hoping to make their debuts at some point in this test while Constantin Gheara who is normally a centre, will cover the outside back positions.
Wrap-up
Romania five-eighth Andrei Filip kicked off to get the test underway in perfect conditions for rugby in the Romania capital of Bucharest. Japan kept the ball in hand from the kick-off and earned the first penalty in the test from a late tackle in their own half. The kick for touch gave Japan an attacking line out but a chip in behind the defence enabled the home side to scramble and counter attack though a knock-on around the Japan 22 brought the attack undone. However Japan were penalised for off-side at a breakdown in front of their own posts and Filip stepped up to kick the opening points in the test and put Romania 3-0 up.
From the kick-off, Romania No8 and captain Mihai Macovei was penalised for a high tackle on Japan halfback Fumiaki Tanaka giving fullback Ayumu Goromaru a long range shot at penalty that he secured to even up the scores.
In the tenth minute Romania were penalised for not rolling away at a breakdown handing Goromaru another long range penalty attempt from just inside the Romanian half with the same result as his first kick that put Japan in front 6-3. Romania put the ensuing restart direct into touch giving Japan a midfield scrum that was upset by the bigger Romanian pack leading to a turnover. Romania kicked away possession and Japan returned fire to force a lineout deep in Romanian territory. This time the Romanian backs tested their arms with ball in hand drawing a penalty after Japan failed to release the tackler.
In the 15th minute Japan were again penalised at the tackle area with the tackler not rolling away quick enough for the liking of South African referee Jaco Peyper allowing Filip to even up the scores at 6-0 with a kick from 40 metres out in front of the Japan posts.
In the 20th minute Romania were penalised for off-side after a period of sustained attack with Goromaru given the easiest of kicks from straight in front of the posts to put Japan in the lead 9-6. Then, in the 24th minute, Japan were penalised for using hands in a ruck with Filip lining up this third penalty from wide out. However, the kick was well off its target leaving the score unchanged. More and more as the half wore on, Romania used their size advantage to good effect but with an even share of possession and territory for Japan the contest remained evenly balanced.
On the half hour mark, Japan elected to go for a line-out from a penalty deep in the Romanian 22 area put after good pressure lock Luke Thompson dropped an easy ball giving Romania a scrum. From the ensuing play the Oaks moved the ball up field putting Japan under pressure in their own half eventually forcing a penalty at the breakdown. Filip landed the easy kick with his left boot to once again even things up.
In the shadows of halftime in the 39th minute of play Romanian No.6 Vasile Rus was sinbinned for repeated team infringements allowing Goromaru to kick a further three points to put Japan 12-9 up with an extra man for ten minutes. Japan kept the pressure on with ball in hand, even taking a quick tap from a penalty in front of the Romanian posts but the high risk approach paid off with a long pass from inside centre Harumichi Tatekawa found No8 Takashi Kikutani lurking out on the left wing for an easy run to the goal line for the opening try of the test. Goromaru could not make the conversion but it took the visitors to the dressing rooms leading 17-9.
With darkness falling the ground lights were turned on to good effects, Japan kicked off to start the second half pinning Romania in and around their own 22 area. This pressure turned into a further chance for Goromaru to increase the lead from a penalty in the 8th minute but he hooked the kick wide.
Japan kept the play in the Romanian half for the best part of the opening 15 minutes of the half but could find no way through the solid defence. Romania were thus forced into making a lot of tackles and when they did get their hands on the ball in attack the rhythm just was not there but with only 8 points separating the two sides the game was there for either side.
Then, in the 18th minute, the Romanian forwards scooped on loose ball spinning it right for wing Madalin Lemnaru to race away for the first try to the Oaks. Replacement Ionut Florea kicked the conversion from out near the right hand touchline to make it a one point game with Japan holding on to a 17-16 lead. This seemed to spur the home side into action with a new spring in the step in attack.
From a long down town kick from Goromaru, halfback Florin Surugiu slipped on the dewy surface taking the ball into touch to give Japan a 5 metre line out. A penalty gave Japan another lineout in the same place after which Romania were further penalised for collapsing a maul. From the third lineout around the same place referee Peyper had had enough and awarded Japan a penalty try. Goromaru kicked the conversion from in front to once again increase the lead to 8 points with Japan now leading 24-16.
In the 35th minute, the Romanians returned the favour with the Japan scrum folding under pressure on their own 5 metre line after the ball was carried back and the referee had no hesitation to award a penalty try. Florea kicked the conversion from in front to make it 24-23. With Japan once again on attack deep in the opposition 22, veteran wing Hirotoki Onozawa ran off the shoulder of halfback Tanaka to run inside the defence for what turned out to be a simple try. Goromaru kicked the conversion and with the clock ticking down Japan had a 31-23 lead. To put the final nail in the coffin, Goromaru kicked a penalty in the shadows of fulltime to close out the test with an historic 34-23 victory.
At the post match interview, Japan coach Eddie Jones said, “Obviously pleased with the result in what was a very tight game. We performed well in most aspects, except our scrum was under pressure. This was the first test match Japan has won in Europe against a European side and we wrote a bit of history for Japanese rugby today. We have Georgia next week in Tbilisi and they will be similar to the Romanians.”
At the post match interview, Japan captain Toshiaki Hirose said, “Romania is a good place and thank you to Romanian Rugby Union. The Romanian set piece was very strong today but our fitness and attacking shape were our strong points. For our next game against Georgia we want to focus the preparation on our own game and not worry too much about the Georgians.”
Top League Profiles 2012-13
(9) NTT Communications Shining Arcs
http://www.ntt.com/rugby/
2012-13 Introduction: Last season (2011-12) NTT Com finished ninth on the final table, improving form twelfth place the previous year in what was their first season in Top League. There has been a considerable turnover of players during the off-season with a number of overseas players such as Craig Wing and JP Nel moving on but Todd Clever along with Oliver and Matt Sanders from the Philippines are new at the club this year. Former Keio University head coach Masato Hayashi is again in charge this season and after an impressive finish last year he will be hoping to maintain the momentum as the new season gets underway. Wing Hiraku Tomoigawa is again the captain for 2012-13 and he will have to lead from the front as the mid table battles promise to be fiercely contested this year. The experienced players in the squad such as former All Blacks lock Isaac Ross, former Japan and Yamaha lock Hajime Kiso and fullback Toru Kurihara will have to again get the best out of the younger players at NTT Com.
Established: NTT Communications Shining Arcs were formed in 1976 and they have their home ground at the NTT Chiba General Sports Ground in Ichikawa city near Futamata Shinmachi station on the JR Keiyo line. The nickname Shining Arcs is a bright and shining image just like the sun reaching out to the world and into the future with the logo motif in the shape of a rugby ball.
The team slogan for the 2012-13 season is “Next One”.
The Company: NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) is a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT), one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies. NTT Com provides network management, security and solution services to consumers, corporations and governments in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the Americas. Have a look at the company webpage http://www.ntt.com/
Titles:
Top League – none.
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): 9th on table on 30 points with 5 wins, a draw and 7 losses.
2010-11 (14 teams): 12th on table on 24 points with 4 wins and 9 losses. Beat Canon 31-19 in P&R Play-off.
2009-10: (14 teams): DNP.
2008-9 (14 teams): DNP.
2007-8 (14 teams): DNP.
2006-7 (14 teams): DNP.
2005-6 (12 teams): DNP.
2004-5 (12 teams): DNP.
2003-4 (12 teams): DNP.
Microsoft Cup – (as a standalone Cup 2004-2006) none.
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: DNP.
2008: DNP.
2007: DNP.
2006: DNP.
2005: DNP.
2004: DNP.
National Championship – none.
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): DNQ.
2011 (48th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2010 (47th NC - 10 teams): qualified as Top Challenger, beat Tokai Uni. 11-7 in first round, lost to Toyota 50-17 in second round.
2009 (46th NC - 10 teams): DNP.
2008 (45th NC - 8 teams): DNP.
2007 (44th NC - 8 teams): DNP.
2006 (43rd NC - 8 teams): DNP.
2005 (42nd NC - 8 teams): DNP.
2004 (41st NC - 22 teams): DNP.
Corporate Championship – none. 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: Golden yellow jersey, black shorts and black socks with gold flashes through calves. Second jersey is cobalt blue.
Style of Play: NTT won promotion to Top League for the very first time in the 2010-11 season after topping the Top Challenge Series at the end of the 2009-10 season. As the top team in the Top East competition, NTT won both their games in the Series when they beat Mazda Zoomers (Top Kyushu) 43-0 and Toyota Jido Shokki (Top West) 38-35. NTT qualified for the Top Challenge Series after they took out the title in the 12-team Top East competition undefeated with eleven straight wins. NTT also qualified for the 2010 National Championship as the Top Challenger where they beat Tokai University 11-7 in the first round before losing to Toyota 50-17 in the second round.
It is a big jump from playing in the Top East competition to playing in Top League, however, NTT Com acquired some quality overseas players as well as benefiting from the woes of clubs like Yamaha, World, Secom and IBM over recent years who have had to shed players after the Lehman Brothers shock in late 2009. Consequently, about halve of the local players in the 2010-11 squad had previous experience playing in Top League with other clubs.
As the new boys in Top League they were bound to struggle against the teams in the top half of the draw but they chalked up enough wins against teams in the bottom half of the draw to avoid automatic relegation for the last two placed sides. NTT Com ended up in 12th place in their first season in Top League and thus they successfully avoided automatic relegation, but they still had to play through the promotion and relegation play-offs where they beat Canon 31-19 to keep their place in Top League for 2011-12. In the 2011-12 NTT Com kept on improving to finish 9th on the table and successfully avoid both automatic relegation and the promotion and relegation play-offs.
A sense of adventure is again going to be necessary in their third year in Top League as they will have to do it all again with the first priority once again to avoid automatic relegation and the promotion and relegation play-offs, while at the end of the day it could all boil down to how many bonus points they are able to accrue over their thirteen games of the season. A lot of responsibility rests on the shoulders of their overseas players as well as their experienced local players, but in their third year in Top League the team as a whole will be far better prepared for the season now that they have survived two years at the top. NTT Com simply have nothing to lose and the enthusiasm in the club will carry them a long way as they get set to try to improve on their ninth place finish from last season.
Players to Watch: First and foremost, the players to watch include the high profile overseas players along with the experienced local players in the squad, a number of whom have considerable international experience.
In the forwards, USA backrower Todd Clever has linked with NTT from Suntory while former All Blacks lock Isaac Ross is in his second season with the club this year. Former Japan and Yamaha lock Hajime Kiso will have to lead by example. There is also plenty of experience in the front row stocks with props Nobuji Saito and Yasuki Yamaguchi having played with other Top League outfits over the years while veteran hooker Akihito Kato has also represented Japan at international level. Australian born backrower Darren Murphy has taken out Japanese citizenship and this will give the club options around the overseas player quota.
Meanwhile, in the backs a lot will depend on the playmaking and kicking skills of five-eighth Yoshio Kimishima to get things moving and keep the points ticking over. Some of the overseas players in the backline include Samoan Alesana Tuilagi who is playing in Japan for the first time after a long time at Leicester Tigers and brothers Oliver and Matt Saunders who cut their rugby teeth on Sydney club rugby and have both represented the Philippines over recent seasons. Moreover, former Suntory captain and centre Daigo Yamashita links up with his old club team mate fullback Toru Kurihara with the latter earning 27 caps for Japan throughout his career including the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Other players to keep an eye on in the backs include halfbacks Kenji Oka, another one of the former Yamaha players in the ranks and he will be competing with the younger Wataru Nishimura for the No.9 jersey. Wing and captain Hiraku Tomoigawa is an inspirational leader who has also represented Japan at Sevens.
Cap Holders for Japan in the Current Squad: (3)
In 2012, in the HSBC A5N series and the IRB PNC series, NTT Com were not represented.
In 2011, in the HSBC A5N series, the ANZ PNC series, the two warm-up tests for the 2011 RWC against Italy (away) and the USA (home) and the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, NTT Com were not represented.
In 2010, in the HSBC Asian Five Nations series, the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup series and the home autumn tests against Samoa and Russia, NTT Com were not represented.
In 2009, in the HSBC Asian Five Nations series, the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup series and the two home tests against Canada in November, NTT Com were not represented.
Hajime KISO (413) 33 y/o, 32 caps as lock/backrower.
Toru KURIHARA (389) 34 y/o, 27 caps as wing/fullback.
Akihito KATO (412) 36 y/o, 2 caps as hooker.
The Coach: Masato Hayashi (04/04/1962) is in his second season as new coach at NTT Com for the 2012-13 season. He was head coach at Keio University from 1996 to 2000 before moving on to coach at Tokyo Gas from 2001 to 2004. He then had a stint at Suntory from 2005 to 2006 as coaching coordinator before returning to Keio from 2007 to 2010. He has also had coaching involvement with the Japan side, Japan A and Japan U23.
In 2010-11, Teruyuki Onuma was the manager and he will still have a hands on role to play this season as the development coach.
The Captain: Wing Hiraku Tomoigawa (27, 25/11/1984) is in his second season as captain at NTT Com for the 2012-13 season. The enterprising wing is in his sixth season with the club. Flanker Noriya Kobayashi is the vice-captain and forwards leader and centre Daigo Yamashita is the backs leader.
Veteran halfback Koji Nakayama was the NTT captain for the 2010-11 season, though he retired in the off-season after four seasons with NTT while he previously played with World and Kobe before that.
Losses: (13 + 3)
Kenji KANDA, 30 y/o (05/08/1982), prop, 181/110, into company workforce after 6 seasons with club.
Tomohiro SARUTA, 26 y/o (12/02/1986), hooker, 175/95, into company workforce after 4 seasons with club.
Hideki TOMITA, 27 y/o (16/10/1985), lock, 189/111, into company workforce after 4 seasons with club.
Aston Taka CRAWFORD (NZL/Japan), 32 y/o (22/09/1980), backrow, 186/105, from Mitsubishi Sagamihara (2008-9 and 2009-10). Previously played with Toyota (2004-5 to 2007-8), has represented Japan A, to Canon after 2 seasons with club.
Fotu AUELUA (NZL), 28 y/o (29/01/1984), No8, 187/119, Australia U21, Toulon, to Brumbies after one season with club.
Craig WING (AUS/The Philippines), 32 y/o (26/12/1979), five-eighth/centre, 178/88, South Sydney, Sydney Roosters NRL. Played rugby under Tony Hannon at Sydney Boys’ High School and was an Australian Schoolboy before turning to rugby league, to Kobe after 2 seasons with club.
JP NEL (RSA), 31 y/o (09/01/1981), centre, 184/95, Bulls Super 14, to Criquas after 4 seasons with club.
Kingo ISODA, 30 y/o (06/02/1982), centre, 176/86, into company workforce after 8 seasons with club.
Fumikazu KURABAYASHI, 28 y/o (19/06/1984), centre, 172/82, into company workforce after 5 seasons with club.
Daisuke OBIYA, 26 y/o (29/10/1986), centre, 180/90, into company workforce after 3 seasons with club.
Shuhei KAWAZU, 29 y/o (30/09/1983), wing, 170/72, into company workforce after 6 seasons with club.
Sosene ANESI (NZL), 31 y/o (03/06/1981), wing/fullback, 187/96, 1 cap for All Blacks, NZ Sevens, Waratahs, after one season with club.
Gen KASHIWABARA, 29 y/o (05/08/1983), fullback, 170/80, into company workforce after 6 seasons with club.
Joe BARAKAT (AUS), assistant coach, Waratahs Academy head coach, Fiji technical consultant, Samoa technical assistant.
Haydn MASTERS (AUS), strength and conditioning coach, Western Force S14 (2006-10), ARU (2005), London Broncos (2001-4), North Sydney Bears (1999-2000).
Jonathon MOYLE (NZ), medical coordinator, Mitsubishi Sagamihara (2008-9), Blues S14 (2003-7).
Gains: (13)
Naoyuki NARAYAMA, 22 y/o (26/02/1990), prop, 177/105, from Meiji University, he has represented Japan at High School level.
Shinsuke ONO, 23 y/o (30/10/1989), prop, 181/104, from Meiji University, he has represented Japan at U20 and High School levels.
Takayoshi HAKU, 23 y/o (25/06/1989), hooker, 177/104, from Teikyo University.
Daisuke KURIHARA, 22 y/o (17/03/1990), lock/No8, 181/95, from Keio University.
Todd CLEVER (USA), 29 y/o (16/01/1983), flanker, 193/97, S14 Lions, 40 caps for the USA, from Suntory after 2 seasons with club.
Oliver SAUNDERS (Eng/Philippines), 27 y/o (23/03/1986), five-eighth/fullback, 178/85, 12 caps for the Philippines, Warringah and Parramatta.
Yuya MIZOGUCHI, 23 y/o (03/11/1989), five-eighth/centre, 182/85, from Meiji University.
Matt SAUNDERS (Eng/Philippines), 24 y/o (06/07/1988), centre, 178/89, 12 caps for the Philippines, Warringah and Parramatta.
Brackin KARAURIA-HENRY (NZL), 24 y/o (31/07/1988), centre/fullback, 180/95, Australia Sevens, Brumbies, Waratahs.
Alesana TUILAGI (Samoa), 31 y/o (24/02/1981), wing, 185/121, 29 caps for Samoa, from Leicester Tigers.
Takumi ITO, 22 y/o (20/01/1990), wing, 180/85, from Teikyo University, he has represented Japan at U20 and High School levels.
Yusuke OGAWA, 23 y/o (26/09/1989), wing/fullback, 178/80, from Keio University.
Tasuku KOIZUMI, 23 y/o (19/04/1989), wing/fullback, 174/80, from Meiji University.
Overseas Players and Staff: (7)
Darren MURPHY (AUS/Japan), 31 y/o (19/06/1981), flanker/No8, 189/107, 7th year, WA, Queensland A, Australian Barbarians.
Isaac ROSS (NZL), 28 y/o (27/10/1984), lock, 201/114, 2nd year, 8 caps for All Blacks, NZ Maori, NZ U21 and U19, Chiefs.
Todd CLEVER (USA), 29 y/o (16/01/1983), flanker, 193/97, 1st year, S14 Lions, 40 caps for the USA, from Suntory after 2 seasons with club.
Oliver SAUNDERS (Eng/Philippines), 27 y/o (23/03/1986), five-eighth/fullback, 178/85, 1st year, 12 caps for the Philippines, Warringah and Parramatta.
Matt SAUNDERS (Eng/Philippines), 24 y/o (06/07/1988), centre, 178/89, 1st year, 12 caps for the Philippines, Warringah and Parramatta.
Brackin KARAURIA-HENRY (NZL), 24 y/o (31/07/1988), centre/fullback, 180/95, 1st year, Australia Sevens, Brumbies, Waratahs.
Alesana TUILAGI (Samoa), 31 y/o (24/02/1981), wing, 185/121, 1st year, 29 caps for Samoa, from Leicester Tigers.
The 2012-13 Squad: (49) the list starts with captain and vice-captains and continues through forwards and backs in order from props to fullbacks. All family names come last.
Hiraku Tomiogawa (c), Noriya Kobayashi (v-c). Forwards: Nobuji Saito, Yasuki Yamaguchi, Toshikazu Akiba, Takeshi Ishida, Naoya Kai, Shinsuke Ono, Naoyuki Narayama, Akihito Kato, Naoto Tanemoto, Takanori Hamada, Takayoshi Haku, Makoto Mayahara, Hajime Kiso, Shinya Kojima, Masaru Ishigami, Isaac Ross, Yuta Yatogo, Naoto Sugiura, Daisuke Kurihara, Darren Murphy, Todd Clever, Ayumi Kasahara, Genta Sato, Ken Moriyama, Tetsuya Omine and Kosuke Yamashita. Backs: Kenji Oka, Wataru Nishimura, Ryo Tsuruda, Yoshio Kimishima, Oliver Saunders, Yuki Kawamoto, Matt Saunders, Tomoya Tomizawa, Yuya Mizoguchi, Daigo Yamashita, Tatsuhito Dohi, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Toru Kurihara, Alesana Tuilagi, Koichiro Kikuchi, Shoichi Takayama, Haruki Sato, Daiki Numajiri, Tasuku Koizumi, Yusuke Ogawa and Takumi Ito. Coach: Masato Hayashi (50).
University Rugby 2012
The major university rugby leagues kicked off around the country over September and early October with schools in the Kanto area now having played between four and five of their seven round games while the Kansai league schools have now all played five games.
Kanto Taiko
(Teikyo University, Waseda University, Meiji University, Tsukuba University, Keio Gijuku University, Aoyama Gakuin University, Nippon Sports Science University and Rikkyo University.)
In the Kanto Taiko competition, Teikyo as the defending national university champions and Meiji both continue on their winning ways with five wins from their five games. After trailing late in their game against Waseda, Teikyo came home strongly in their clash at Chichibu to win 37-27 while in the later game at the same venue Meiji beat a struggling Keio 42-14. Tsukuba have four wins and one loss from their opening five games, while Waseda have three wins and two losses and Keio have won one and lost three. Nippon Sports Science have also won one and lost three leaving Aoyama Gakuin and Rikkyo still looking for their first wins.
Kanto League
(Ryutsu Keizai University, Tokai University, Kanto Gakuin University, Daitobunka University, Hosei University, Nihon University, Chuo University and Takushoku University.)
In the Kanto League competition, Ryutsu Keizai and Tokai have both won five straight to push ahead of the competition with 20 points each. Nihon and Hosei are the next best placed schools on 14 points from three wins and two losses while Takushoku and Chuo have 11 points from two wins and three losses. Kanto Gakuin and Daitobunka have 5 points from 5 losses.
Kansai League
(Tenri University, Doshisha University, Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Kinki University, Kyoto Sangyo University and Setsunan University.)
After the fifth round of matches, Tenri are now the only undefeated team with five consecutive wins. Meanwhile, Ritsumeikan have a record of four wins and one loss and Kwansei Gakuin and Kinki both have three wins and two losses. Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences and Doshisha have two wins for three losses while Kyoto Sangyo have one win for four losses leaving Setsunan without a win.
Last up-dated: Monday, 05 November 2012.
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