RiJ has been working back through the history of Japan tests and this week looks at the second test played against the JAB on the Japan tour to New Zealand in 1974. Round Eight of Top League was played over the weekend. RiJ also profiles Ricoh 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: Japan tour to New Zealand: Test v Junior All Blacks
- Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13: Round 8
- Top League Profiles: 7-Ricoh
- 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.
Japan Tour to New Zealand 1974: Test 2 v JAB
In April and May 1974 Japan toured New Zealand for the second time playing eleven games on tour winning five, drawing one and losing five. Japan played three tests on tour, two against New Zealand Universities in Dunedin and Wellington and one against the Junior All Blacks in Auckland.
Japan toured New Zealand for the first time in 1968 playing one test each against the JAB and NZU. That particular tour is well and truly written into the history pages of Japanese international rugby for the 23-19 win over the Junior All Blacks at Athletic Park in Wellington on Monday, 03 June 1968. This win, along with the 28-24 win over Scotland XV in Tokyo in May 1989, ranks as one of the greatest wins for Japan on the world stage and over forty years on the result is fondly remembered and still much celebrated with the four tries scored by Yoshihiro Sakata one of the focal points. NZU beat Japan 25-16 in Wellington in the other test.
NZU had previously toured Japan in 1936 for one win and a draw, again in 1967 winning both tests played and on their third tour of Japan in 1970 beat Japan in three tests. However, these two sides also squared off in Wellington on the 1968 Japan tour of New Zealand with NZU also winning on that occasion. Thus, prior to this tour, Japan had played NZU seven times for a draw and six losses.
The JAB had previously toured Japan in 1958, beating Japan in all three tests on tour. However, these two sides also squared off in Wellington on the 1968 Japan tour of New Zealand with Japan winning on that occasion. Thus, prior to this tour, Japan had played the JAB four times for one win and three losses.
In total, prior to this tour, Japan had played New Zealand sides in the form of NZU and the JAB eleven times for one win, one draw and nine losses.
Following the first test loss in Dunedin, Japan lost to Southland in Invercargill before moving to Auckland for the next test against the Junior All Blacks. This test was played on Sunday, 19 May 1974 at Eden Park in what was Test No.42 and Japan Game No.107. It was the second test for Ryo Saito as Japan coach number eleven, while halfback Ryozo Imazato assumed the captaincy for the first time as Japan captain number twenty-two.
Saito made only the one change in the forwards from the first test with Toshio Kurosaka replacing Susumu Hara at tighthead prop. However, in the backs Shigetaka Mori from Kamaishi Steel making his international debut replaced Akira Yokoi at inside centre in what would become a generational change in the Japan midfield. Yokoi played 17 tests at inside centre between 1967 and 1974, 9 as captain, with his final test against NZU in the opening test of this tour in Dunedin. On the other hand, Mori would go on to play 27 tests for Japan between 1974 and 1981, mostly at outside centre, also captaining his country 9 times. The other change in the backs also marked a generational change with 23-year-old Masao Yoshida from Kintetsu starting at outside centre in his first test replacing the veteran Tadayuki Ito. The 32-year-old Ito would make his nineteenth and final test appearance from the bench in the next test in Wellington bringing to an end a career that started against British Columbia in Vancouver in 1963 and yielded 19 tries, and average of one try per test. Although Ito started at outside centre in the previous test, he played all his other 18 tests on the right wing, while he also captained Japan in two tests. Yoshida would go on to play 18 tests between 1974 and 1978, mostly at inside centre in combination with Mori, captaining Japan in his final test against Korea.
The last time Japan and the Junior All Blacks met was in Wellington on the 1968 Japan tour of New Zealand with Japan winning 23-19 on that occasion but this time round the hosts maintained complete control to win 55-32, scoring ten tries to five in front of 30,000 fans at Eden Park in Auckland. Japan got off to a slow start allowing the Juniors to dictate terms and keep the scoreboard ticking over. However, No8 Yoshihiro Murata scored the first try for the visitors in the 13th minute of the first half when he collected a high kick from right wing Masaru Fujiwara. It was then Fujiwara that touched down for the second try in the 30th minute with Waseda University team mate in fullback Nobuyuki Ueyama adding the extras to eventually see the sides go to the halftime break with NZU comfortably leading 23-10 after scoring four tries, two conversions and a penalty.
The locals stepped up the pace in the second half with a further six tries and four conversions, but Japan were not to be denied with three converted tries and a penalty of their own. Playing in only his second test, left wing Ken Aruga scored the third Japan try in the 16th minute followed by test debutant Mori in the 26th minute and finally Fujiwara brought up his double in the 33rd minute with the fifth Japanese try. Ueyama converted all three second half tries while also adding a penalty.
This Japan side was far more experienced in the forwards with locks Hiroshi Ogasawara and Toshio Terai in their 16th and 12th tests respectively while flanker Yoshiaki Izawa was playing his 15th test and No8 Murata his 8th. However, in the backs, Japan were much lighter on in terms of age and international experience with Imazato in his 14th test the only backline player in double figures. In fact his 14 caps equalled the total cap count of the rest of the backline combined.
NZU included Canterbury hooker John Black who played three tests for the All Blacks between 1977 and 1980 and who had to compete with the likes of Tane Norton, Peter Sloane and Andy Dalton for much of his career. Lock Mike McCool also played one test against Australia in 1979 while flanker Graham Mourie played 21 tests, 19 as captain, including the 1978 Grand Slam winning side. Further, 22-year-old captain and No8 Gary Seear from Otago would play 12 tests between 1976 and 1979. Although Manawatu five-eighth Jim Carroll would never wear the black jersey his father Alphonsus represented New Zealand in both league and union in the 1920s. Inside centre Doug Rollerson would play 8 tests between 1976 and 1981.
Game 1: Counties 42 d Japan 23, 25 April 1974, Pukekohe. (Japan Game Number 99)
Game 2: Japan 43 d Auckland Waikato Universities Combined 6, 28 April 1974, Hamilton. (Japan Game Number 100)
Game 3: Japan 19 d Taranaki 15, 01 May 1974, New Plymouth. (Japan Game Number 101)
Game 4: Poverty Bay 13 drew with Japan 13, 04 May 1974, Gisborne. (Japan Game Number 102)
Game 5: Canterbury Lincoln Universities Combined 70 d Japan 23, 07 May 1974, Christchurch. (Japan Game Number 103)
Game 6: Japan 23 d South Canterbury 18, 09 May 1974, Timaru. (Japan Game Number 104)
Game 7: New Zealand Universities 40 – Japan 31. Sunday, 12 May 1974, Carisbrook, Dunedin. (Test No.41, Japan Game No.105)
Game 8: Southland 39 d Japan 20, 15 May 1974, Invercargill. (Japan Game Number 106)
Game 9: New Zealand Universities 40 – Japan 31. Sunday, 12 May 1974, Carisbrook, Dunedin. (Test No.41, Japan Game No.105)
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
Round Eight
Round Eight
| Date | Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue |
| Sat, 27 Oct 2012 | Canon (4Ts) | 25-36 | Yamaha (6Ts) | 12:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| NTT Comm. (2Ts) | 23-24 | Toyota (3Ts) | 14:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| Kyuden (3Ts) | 19-17 | NTT Docomo (2Ts) | 12:00 | Level 5, Fukuoka |
|
| Sanix (3Ts) | 19-42 | Suntory (6Ts) | 14:00 | Level 5, Fukuoka |
|
| Toshiba (4Ts) | 26-28 | Ricoh (3Ts) | 13:00 | Mito, Ibaraki |
|
| Panasonic (2Ts) | 23-20 | Kintetsu (2Ts) | 13:00 | Ota, Gunma |
|
| Kobe (7Ts) | 48-14 | NEC (2Ts) | 13:00 | Kochi, Kochi |
Round Eight Preview
In the first game of a double header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday afternoon, Canon Eagles play Yamaha Jubilo. Canon started life in Top League with a win over NTT Docomo, lost to top guns Toshiba, Kobe and Suntory then notched up their second win against Kyuden before losing to NTT Comm. and Ricoh. Yamaha had good wins over Toyota, NTT Docomo, NTT Comm. and Sanix but losses to Kobe and Panasonic halted their progress before making up ground against the struggling Kyuden with a convincing 52-8 win last round. Jubilo have a tenuous hold on fourth spot on the table and they will have to keep winning to enhance their prospects of making the play-offs. Canon also know they will have to front up in the last game before the November break because Yamaha are capable of punishing mistakes.
In the second game at Chichibu, NTT Communications Shining Arcs play Toyota Verblitz. NTT Comm. lost to Toshiba in round one but then caused the upset of the season when they beat Panasonic in round two before losing to Yamaha, then beating Ricoh, NTT Docomo, Canon and most recently Sanix 30-23 in Niigata last round. The Shining Arcs are the big improvers this season and with five wins and 22 competition points from the opening seven rounds currently sit just outside the top four and with the wind in their sails they will be looking to take the game to Toyota. The topsy turvy season for Toyota continues as they lost to Yamaha then had wins over NEC and Kyuden before drawing with Kobe, beating Toshiba and then going down to Suntory before beating Kintetsu 18-10 last round. The Verblitz are seventh on the table with 19 points and a win this weekend would see them leapfrog the Arcs. However, with both these sides vying for a top four finish a loss will not be in the equation in either camp.
In the first game of a double header at the Level Five Stadium in Fukuoka on Saturday, Fukuoka based Kyuden Voltex are on home soil to play NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. This is a match-up between the only two sides in the league that have not recorded a win so far this season and victory will be an imperative in order to move off the bottom of the table. Kyuden have had straight losses to Sanix, Suntory, Toyota, Kintetsu, Canon, Kobe and Yamaha in their first season back in Top League after two seasons in the Kyushu league and it is crucial that they strive for a win this weekend. NTT Docomo are struggling for form losing convincingly to Canon, Yamaha, Toshiba, NEC, NTT Comm. Kintetsu and Kobe and with the worst for and against in the league will have to put things right this round.
In the second game at the Level Five Stadium, Fukuoka Sanix Blues are also in their home city to face the might of unbeaten Suntory Sungoliath. Sanix had a positive start to the season with a win over Kyuden but have since lost six on the trot to Kintetsu, Panasonic, Yamaha, Ricoh, Toshiba and NTT Comm. over the ensuing rounds and things do not get any easier against Suntory. The Sungoliath have beaten NEC, Kyuden, Ricoh, Canon, Kintetsu, Toyota and Panasonic to sit alone on top of the table on 34 points as the league pacesetters and they will be formidable opponents for the Blues. The win over Panasonic was their biggest test so far this season with the quality from the bench having a telling impact over the final quarter of the match. The Blues will have to play at the top of their game for 80 minutes but even that may not be enough against the defending Top League champions.
At the K’s Denki Stadium in Mito city in Ibaraki prefecture, Toshiba Brave Lupus play Ricoh Black Rams. Toshiba started the season with wins over NTT Comm., Canon, NTT Docomo and Panasonic but their unbeaten run was brought to an end when they lost to Toyota in round five. However, the Brave Lupus have put that behind them with good wins over Sanix and NEC to sit in third place on the table on 28 points. Ricoh had a tough start to the season losing to Panasonic, Kobe, Suntory and NTT Comm. but they came up with bonus point wins over Sanix, NEC and Canon and this should put them in the perfect frame of mind to face Toshiba. Ricoh have never beaten Toshiba in their eight previous meetings in Top League but if they take their form from recent weeks to Mito this weekend an upset might just be on the cards.
At the Ota City Athletic Park in Gunma, Panasonic Wild Knights host Kintetsu Liners play. Over the past five seasons Panasonic (Sanyo) have not lost more than two round games in a Top League season and with three losses already this season the Knights are looking a little shaky. Panasonic have had a roller coaster season beating Ricoh, losing to NTT Comm., beating Sanix, losing to Toshiba, beating NEC and Yamaha and then losing 34-20 to Suntory last round to sit in sixth place on the table on 21 points. Kintetsu have also had an up and down season losing to Kobe, beating Sanix, losing to NEC before beating Kyuden, going down to Suntory, beating NTT Docomo then losing to Toyota 18-10 last round. If the win-loss trend continues the Liners are set for another win, but Panasonic are under pressure and being the champion side that they are Kintetsu could be in for a long afternoon in Ota city.
Kobelco Steelers and NEC Green Rockets travel to play the first Top League game in two seasons at the Haruno Sports Ground in Kochi city in the prefecture of the same name on the island of Shikoku. As the inaugural Top League champions back in 2003-4, Kobe have had a solid start to their season with wins over Kintetsu, Ricoh and Kyuden before drawing with Toyota then beating Yamaha, Kyuden and NTT Docomo 37-29 last round to sit in outright second position on the table. NEC lost to Suntory and Toyota in their opening games then came up with wins over Kintetsu and NTT Docomo but then lost to Panasonic, Ricoh and Toshiba to drop to eleventh place on the table on 11 points. The Green Rockets finished fourth last season and made the play-offs for the first time but prospects of repeating that feat are now remote at best but they could cause a lot of trouble for the Steelers if they are on their game.
Round Eight Wrap-up
After the eighth round of the 2012-13 Japan Rugby Top League season played on Saturday 27 October 2012, unbeaten Suntory Sungoliath sit on top of the table with 39 points followed by Kobelco Steelers who are still unbeaten after seven wins and a draw on 35 points. Despite losing to Ricoh Toshiba Brave Lupus are in third place on 30 points with Yamaha Jubilo rounding out the top four on 28 points. Panasonic Wild Knights are in fifth place on 25 points ahead of ahead of NTT Communications Shining Arcs and Toyota Verblitz on 23 points. Ricoh Black Rams climb to eighth on 20 points after their historic win over Toshiba ahead of Kintetsu Liners on 17 points, Canon Eagles on 12 points and NEC Green Rockets on 11 points. Meanwhile, Kyuden Voltex notched up their first win of the season when they beat NTT Docomo and they leapfrog Sanix into twelfth place on 8 points with Fukuoka Sanix Blues on six points and NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes on the bottom of the table on two points.
In the first game of a double header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday afternoon, Canon Eagles went down to Yamaha Jubilo 36-25. In perfect conditions for rugby in the nation’s capital, Canon got out to an early 8-0 lead but this was gradually overhauled by Yamaha with five first half tries, two each to left wing So Kil-Ryong and centre Male Sau taking Jubilo to a 31-8 lead by halftime. Canon went on to win the second half and pick up a valuable four try bonus point in the process but the first half deficit was too big to overcome with Yamaha taking maximum points from the game to maintain their place near the top of the table.
In the second game at Chichibu, NTT Communications Shining Arcs came close but Toyota Verblitz did enough to edge home 24-23. The Shining Arcs are the big improvers this season and with the wind in their sails they took the game to Toyota leaving a few poor options late in the game to deny them the win. Toyota dodged a bullet in this clash in Tokyo and will be more than happy to take the four points and head back to Nagoya knowing the result could easily have gone the other way. Man-of-the-match in Toyota five-eighth Stephen Brett took it all upon himself in the opening quarter of the match scoring and then converting two tries to have the Verblitz 14-0 up but NTT Comm. stayed composed and gradually worked their way back into the game to go to the break with the scores locked at 14-all. Two penalties from five-eighth Yoshio Kimishima then got the Arcs in front 20-14 before Toyota added ten points to lead 24-20. Kimishima made it a one point game with his third penalty in the 31st minute but over the closing minutes NTT turned down a long range penalty and failed to recognise drop goal opportunities handing the win to Toyota.
In the first game of a double header at the Level Five Stadium in Fukuoka on Saturday, Fukuoka based Kyuden Voltex were on home soil to play NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. This was a match-up between the only two sides in the league that had not recorded a win so far this season going into this round and in a close fought battle the victory ended up going to Kyuden 19-17 after they outscored their opponents three tries to two. Lock Masato Ura and flanker and captain Makoto Matsumoto scored first half tries to help the home side to a handy 12-0 lead by the break. However, former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina started the NTT fight back with a try in the first minute of the latter half and when left wing Yoshimi Watanabe scored on the hour it locked up the scores at 12-all. The successful conversion from former Japan five-eighth Hiroaki Ito put the Hurricanes in front for the first time and he stretched the lead to 17-12 in the 32nd minute with a penalty. One minute later, replacement flanker Wataru Obara locked up the scores again with a try and the Genki Saito conversion put Kyuden in front and from there they held on for the win.
In the second game at the Level Five Stadium, Fukuoka Sanix Blues were also in their home city to face the might of unbeaten Suntory Sungoliath. Suntory continued on their winning way making it eight wins from eight starts wining 42-19. Sanix had a positive start to the season with a win over Kyuden but have since lost seven on the trot and things did not get any easier against Suntory. The Sungoliath sit alone on top of the table on 39 points as the league pacesetters and they were formidable opponents for the Blues. Suntory scored six tries to three and had the four try bonus point and pretty much the game wrapped up by halftime with a 28-7 lead at the completion of the first half but for many the highlight of the match came in the 34th minute of the second half when wing Hirotoki Onozawa scored the sixth and final Suntory try in what was his one hundredth Top League try.
At the K’s Denki Stadium in Mito city in Ibaraki prefecture, Toshiba Brave Lupus lost to Ricoh Black Rams 28-26. Prior to this game, Ricoh had never beaten Toshiba in their eight previous meetings in Top League but they took their form from recent weeks to Mito this weekend producing one of the upsets of the season. Toshiba actually scored four tries to three and came away with two bonus points but the result was decided by the boot with Ricoh No.10 Yoshimitsu Kawano converting two of the three tries and also adding three penalties, while between them David Hill and Yoshikazu Morita missed all four conversions, even though Hill kicked two penalties. Wing Shin Ito scored the bonus point try for Toshiba in what was the 44th minute of the second half leaving Morita the chance to salvage a draw with the conversion. However, the kick failed to raise the flags allowing Ricoh to record an historic win.
At the Ota City Athletic Park in Gunma, Panasonic Wild Knights hosted Kintetsu Liners with the Knights holding on to win 23-20. The score was not particularly flattering and Panasonic failed to pick up a four try bonus point but the win was vital in keeping the Knights in contention for the business end of the season. Sonny Bill Williams got the scoreboard ticking over in the opening minute of play with a try converted by fullback Atsushi Tanabe but Kintetsu evened things up with a converted try to wing Naoki Morita before Tanabe and Shotaro Onishi exchanged penalties to once again tie things up at 10-all by the fifteen minute mark. However, hooker Tetsuya Shitara scored the second try for Panasonic in the 31st minute with Tanabe landing the conversion to push out the lead to 17-10. As the second half progressed, the scores were tied at 17-all and then 20-all before Tanabe kicked the match winning penalty inside the last ten minutes.
Kobelco Steelers and NEC Green Rockets travelled to play the first Top League game in two seasons at the Haruno Sports Ground in Kochi city in the prefecture of the same name on the island of Shikoku with the Steelers winning 48-14. As the inaugural Top League champions back in 2003-4, Kobe are going from strength to strength this season with seven wins and a draw to sit in outright second position on the table. Kobe scored seven tries to two with centre Jaque Fourie opening the scoring with a try in the second minute of play. The Steelers kept up the pressure with a further three tries in the half with Fourie getting his second in the 22nd minute to help his side to a 24-7 halftime lead. The second half was more or less a repeat of the first with Kobe grinding down the NEC defence adding a further three tries to one. The Green Rockets finished fourth last season and made the play-offs for the first time but prospects of repeating that feat are now remote as they failed to trouble the Steelers in this game.
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
|
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Suntory | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 302 | 165 | 137 | 7 | 0 | 39 |
| 2 | Kobe | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 288 | 146 | 142 | 5 | 0 | 35 |
| 3 | Toshiba | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 267 | 175 | 92 | 5 | 1 | 30 |
| 4 | Yamaha | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 264 | 168 | 96 | 4 | 0 | 28 |
| 5 | Panasonic | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 259 | 178 | 81 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 6 | NTT Comm. | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 181 | 161 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 23 |
| 7 | Toyota | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 174 | 169 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 23 |
| 8 | Ricoh | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 205 | 200 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 20 |
| 9 | Kintetsu | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 218 | 161 | 57 | 3 | 2 | 17 |
| 10 | Canon | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 185 | 216 | -31 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| 11 | NEC | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 191 | 266 | -75 | 2 | 1 | 11 |
| 12 | Kyuden | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 124 | 305 | -181 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 13 | Sanix | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 165 | 306 | -141 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 14 | NTT Docomo | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 116 | 323 | -207 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
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 eight, NTT Comm. five-eighth Yoshio Kimishima tops the point scorers list with 106 points.
|
| Name | Team | T | G | PG | DG | Pts |
| 1 | Yoshio Kimishima | NTT Comm. | 2 | 15 | 22 | 0 | 106 |
| 2 | Ayumu Goromaru | Yamaha | 1 | 24 | 17 | 0 | 104 |
| 3 | Atsushi Tanabe | Panasonic | 0 | 24 | 17 | 0 | 99 |
| 4 | Stephen Brett | Toyota | 6 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 95 |
| 5 | Peter Grant | Kobe | 0 | 21 | 12 | 0 | 78 |
| 6 | Shotaro Onishi | Kintetsu | 0 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 75 |
| 7 | Hiroshi Tashiro | Sanix | 0 | 12 | 15 | 0 | 69 |
| 8 | Ryohei Mitomo | Canon | 1 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 65 |
| 9 | Yoshimitsu Kawano | Ricoh | 0 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 60 |
| 9 | Akihito Yamada | Panasonic | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 |
| 11 | Jaque Fourie | Kobe | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 |
| 12 | Ryan Nicholas | Suntory | 1 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 54 |
| 13 | Yu Tamura | NEC | 1 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 52 |
Leading Try Scorers
At the completion of round eight, Panasonic wing Akihito Yamada tops the try scorers list with 12 tries.
|
| Name | Team | Tries |
| 1 | Akihito Yamada | Panasonic | 12 |
| 2 | Jaque Fourie | Kobe | 11 |
| 3 | Nemani Nadolo | NEC | 9 |
| 3 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Suntory | 9 |
| 5 | Steven Bates | Toshiba | 7 |
| 5 | Toetu’u Taufa | Kintetsu | 7 |
| 5 | Hiraku Tomoigawa | NTT Comm. | 7 |
| 8 | Tim Bennett | Canon | 6 |
| 8 | Stephen Brett | Toyota | 6 |
| 8 | Takehisa Usuzuki | Toshiba | 6 |
Round 8 Man-of-the-match Awards
| Date | Teams | Score | Teams | Ground | MOTM |
| Sat 27 Oct 2012 | Canon | 25-36 | Yamaha | Chichibu, Tokyo | Male Sau, Centre |
|
| NTT Comm. | 23-24 | Toyota | Chichibu, Tokyo | Stephen Brett, Five-eighth |
|
| Kyuden | 19-17 | NTT Docomo | Level 5, Fukuoka | Makoto Matsumoto, Flanker |
|
| Sanix | 19-42 | Suntory | Level 5, Fukuoka | Peter Hewat, Five-eighth |
|
| Toshiba | 26-28 | Ricoh | Mito, Ibaraki | Wataru Ikeda, Halfback |
| Panasonic | 23-20 | Kintetsu | Ota, Gunma | Sione Vatuvei, Flanker | |
|
| Kobe | 48-14 | NEC | Kochi, Kochi | Jaque Fourie, Centre |
Top League Profiles 2012-13
(7) Ricoh Black Rams
2012-13 Introduction: Last season (2011-12) Ricoh finished seventh on the final table and if a few results had gone their way throughout the season could well have finished higher. Ma’a Nonu and James Haskell had a big influence on Ricoh last year and although both these players will not be at the club this year there is still a lot of promise of good things to come.
Although there has been some turnover of players at the club in the off-season there is still a very solid base for head coach Leon Holden to work with along with new names like Riki Flutey. Ricoh is very much a club heading in the right direction but it is important that they keep improving as all the mid table teams are making progress. Veteran hooker Yoshiyuki Takizawa, lock Michael Broadhurst, Sevens specialist Yusuke Kobuki, centre Ryo Kanazawa and goal kicking five-eighth Yoshimitsu Kawano are other important figures in the team.
Established: Ricoh, one of the relatively older company teams running around in Top League, were established in 1953. The company address is listed as downtown Tokyo and the training ground is also located at Kinuta in Setagaya ward in Tokyo. The symbol Ricoh adopted is the Black Ram, noted for its fighting spirit.
The slogan for the 2012-13 season is again the acronym TAFU, standing for Team, Aggression, Faith and Unity. Further, the added catchphrase for this year is ‘Speed Rugby’. Under the new coaching team of Leon Holden as head coach and Hirotsugu Yamashina as manager Ricoh are aiming at playing speedy rugby. They aim to be physical in approach and extremely fit to beat their opponents in speed in both attack and defence. Some big name overseas player signings in the squad this year are also going to play a crucial role in the fortunes of Ricoh this year.
The golden age for Ricoh was the early to mid 1970s when they dominated Japanese corporate rugby over this period. However, it has been a long time between drinks and Ricoh are a long way off the pace of the top teams in the modern era. Common to the woes of all teams outside the top 8, they lack the pulling power for the high profile local players coming through the university system. Their fortunes are thus on something of a vicious cycle. Ricoh had to battle through the promotion and relegation play-offs every year in the first 4 years of Top League and their luck finally ran out when they finished 13th at the end of the 2007-8 season and were automatically relegated. However, Ricoh re-organised their operations, topped the Top East 11 competition undefeated and then beat Honda and Mazda in the Top Challenge Series to regain their place in Top League for the 2009-10 season.
The Company: Cameras, business machines such as photocopiers, printers, fax machines and other electronic devices.
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): 7th on table on 38 points with 7 wins, a draw and 5 losses.
2010-11 (14 teams): 7th on table on 32 points with 6 wins and 7 losses.
2009-10 (14 teams): 12th on table on 19 points with 4 wins and 9 losses. (Beat Mazda 59-12 in promotion and relegation play-off.)
2008-9: DNP. Ricoh played in the Top East 11 competition.
2007-8 (14 teams): 13th on table on 17 points with 3 wins and 10 losses. Relegated to Top East 11.
2006-7 (14 teams): 11th on table on 21 points with 4 wins and 9 losses. (Beat Honda 43-24 in promotion and relegation play-off.)
2005-6 (12 teams): 11th on table on 10 points with 2 wins and 9 losses. (Beat Honda 34-20 in promotion and relegation play-off.)
2004-5 (12 teams): 10th on table on 18 points with 4 wins and 7 losses. (Beat Toyota Jido Shokki 42-7 in promotion and relegation play-off.)
2003-4 (12 teams): 9th on table on 15 points with 3 wins and 8 losses.
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: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified as Top League finals series.
2007: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified as Top League finals series.
2006: DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.
2005: DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.
2004: DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.
National Championship – twice (1974 and 1973).
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): Lost to Kobe 32-19 in Wildcard Tournament and thus DNQ.
2011 (48th NC - 10 teams): Beat Coca-Cola 31-29 then lost to NEC 38-33 in Wildcard Tournament and thus DNQ.
2010 (47th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2009 (46th NC - 10 teams): Qualified as the Top Challenger. Drew with Teikyo University 25-all in first round but progressed to next round due to the fact they scored more tries. Beat NEC 24-23 in second round. Lost to Sanyo 59-3 in semi-finals.
2008 (45th NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.
2007 (44th NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.
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): DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.
Corporate Championship – 3 times (1974, 1973 and 1971 (joint champions with Shin Nittetsu Kamaishi after final drawn 6-all)); runners-up twice (1972 and 1975). 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: Black jersey, shorts and socks. The second jersey is white with black flashes through the flanks.
Style of Play: In the first four seasons of Top League Ricoh struggled, finishing well down the ladder every year. Then, they finished 13th and were relegated at the end of the 2007-8 season but to their credit they re-grouped and fought their way back into Top League after just the one season in the Top East 11 competition. Throughout their five years in Top League, Ricoh had a number of high profile coaches such as Tim Lane and before him Brian Smith, though at the end of the day there has not been the necessary continuity and stability in the coaching ranks. After Tim Lane, Toshiaki Sato was head coach for two seasons before making way for Todd Louden from the 2008-9 season. Louden had three seasons as head coach at Ricoh and he provided that much needed stability at the top to start turning things around.
In some ways, relegation was the wake-up call that Ricoh had to have as they re-vamped their operations for 2008-9 and playing in the less demanding Top East league enabled the new set-up room for trial and error. Louden and his new coaching staff worked hard to improve things at Ricoh but one of the real coups for the club was the signing of Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham. Larkham was far from a one man miracle worker but the aura surrounding the man had been inspiring for all concerned at the Rams.
After being relegated Ricoh made drastic changes to playing personnel and this continued into the 2009-10 season with 17 players leaving, while 20 new players joined the club. For the 2010-11 season there was again a big turnover of players with 14 losses and 18 gains. What they now have is a solid core of a squad with a good balance between overseas and local players. In the 2010-11 season Ricoh chalked up a number of wins and gave some of the more fancied sides a few scare along the way and were competitive in their second season back in Top League finishing a very commendable seventh on the final table, their best ever finish. Ricoh backed that up in 2011-12 to again finish seventh and if they can improve on that it will be a fantastic turn around for this proud club.
Leon Holden took over from Todd Louden as head coach for 2011-12 with Hirotsugu Yamashina the manager and so this is their second season in combination.
Players to Watch:
In the forwards, Tongan-born two metre lock Emosi Sakura Kauhenga who has taken out Japanese citizenship, is one of the real impact players in the pack and he is now in his sixth year with Ricoh this season after graduating from Daitobunka University. One player that has improved in leaps and bounds over recent seasons is loosehead prop Yusuke Nagae who earned 7 caps for Japan this spring (2012) while likewise, New Zealand born backrower Michael Broadhurst has also come into reckoning for Japan national selection. Backrower Ryota Ai and his younger brother Koji are other important members of the pack while spirited hooker Yoshiyuki Takizawa also has a high work rate.
Sevens specialist Yusuke Kobuki will be looking to make a mark this year, as well, wing and captain Daisuke Komatsu will also be hoping to carry on his form from recent seasons. Yoshimitsu Kawano will be the principle five-eight with the added pressure of the goal kicking responsibilities. Roy Kinikinilau will be bound to threaten opposition defences throughout the season, especially as an impact player from the bench. Teams opposing Ricoh this season can be excused for seeing double as Kenichi Yokoyama and his twin brother Shinichi are in the outside backs. The two brothers have represented Japan at Sevens and at 180cms and 80kgs one or both of the twins could be expected to go onto higher representative honours. Another experienced player is former Japan halfback Wataru Ikeda who moved across from Sanyo five seasons ago. The big signings for the Rams this season were South African centre Wynand Olivier from the Bulls and he should help Ricoh get across the line this year and new Zealand born England representative centre Riki Flutey who joins the club from London Wasps.
Cap holders for Japan in the current squad: (2)
In 2012, in the HSBC A5N series, Ricoh were represented by loosehead prop Yusuke Nagae who made his debut in the run-on side against Kazakhstan in the opening test of the series and then had game time in the other three tests. In the IRB PNC series, Ricoh were again represented by Nagae who started in all three tests.
At the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, Ricoh were not represented.
In 2011, in the HSBC A5N and the IRB PNC series, Ricoh were not represented. In the two warm-up tests for the 2011 RWC against Italy (away) and the USA (home), Ricoh were not represented.
In 2010, in the HSBC A5N series, Ricoh were represented by centre Ryo Kanazawa who made his test debut against the Arabian Gulf at inside centre. In the ANZ PNC, Ricoh were again represented by centre Ryo Kanazawa who added to his test count from the bench against Samoa and Tonga. In the home autumn tests against Samoa and Russia, Ricoh were not represented.
In 2009, in the HSBC A5N, the ANZ PNC and the two home tests against Canada in November, Ricoh were not represented.
In 2008, in the inaugural Asian Five Nations tournament, the Pacific Nations Cup and the two home tests against the USA in November, Ricoh were not represented.
At the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, Ricoh were represented by NZ-born utility back Bryce Robins. However, Filipo Levi was playing with Samoa and Emosi Kauhenga with Tonga. Robins left Ricoh for NEC at the end of the 2007-8 season after playing with the club for four years. Levi left Ricoh at the end of the 2008-9 season while Kauhenga is still with the club.
Wataru IKEDA (446) 36 y/o, 14 caps at halfback.
Yusuke NAGAE (TBC) 27 y/o, 7 caps at loosehead prop.
Ryo KANAZAWA (539) 31 y/o, 3 caps at inside centre. Moved to NTT Docomo at the end of the 2011-12 season.
The Coach: The head coach at Ricoh for the 2012-13 season is again New Zealand born Leon Holden (41 y/o, 27/02/1971) with Hirotsugu Yamashina (37) the team manager. Holden was born in Thames and was a lock or No8 in his playing days and represented New Zealand at U21 level before injury brought an early end to his playing career. He previously coached Thames Valley and then in Japan at Sanix in the 2004-5 season before moving to London Wasps (2005 to 2009) as a set piece and forwards coach under Ian McGeechan winning the 2007 Heineken Cup and the 2008 Premiership. He was forwards coach at Waikato in 2010, then director of rugby at Wasps early in 2011 with Shaun Edwards as head coach after the departure of Tony Hanks before taking up the appointment with Ricoh.
Before Holden, Australian Todd Louden was appointed head coach for the 2008-9 season and was in charge for three seasons. Louden was an assistant coach under Ewan McKenzie at the Waratahs over the 2007 and 2008 seasons and was also an assistant coach at the Bulls in South Africa in 2006. Coming on board with Louden too were forwards coach South African Botha Human, coach at the Bulls from 2005-8 and technical coach New Zealander Lance Hayward who was an analyst at the Waratahs from 2005-8.
Before Louden, Toshiaki Sato was appointed head coach in April 2006 taking over from Tim Lane and he coached the team for two seasons. Sato joined Ricoh as a player in 1985 straight from high school and played as a centre right through till he retired in 2001. From 2002 he coached Tokai Uni for four years before rejoining Ricoh as backs coach. The two seasons before Sato saw non-Japanese as head coaches. Former Springbok Peter Muller was backs coach in 2006-7, though his services were not required after that. Muller played 33 Tests for the Boks in the centres including RWC 99 before moving on to play & coach with Cardiff (2000-04) & Doncaster (2005). Former Wallaby & Queenslander Glenn Panaho was forwards coach in 2006-7 but he too has moved on. Although born in Whangarei in NZ, Panaho was a product of the St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane. Panaho made his international debut in 1998 against the Springboks as a prop who could play on either side of the scrum & went on to earn 21 caps. His last appearance for Australia was in the 17-21 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park on 16 August 2003. He also played for the Brothers club in Brisbane.
Brian Smith was coach before Tim Lane but was released to take up a post with London Irish.
The Captain: The new captain at Ricoh for the 2012-13 season is 28-year-old winger Daisuke Komatsu (27/09/1984) who is in his sixth season with the club. Last season, veteran hooker Yoshiyuki Takizawa (30/05/1978, 34 y/o) was captain. The vice-captains are prop Hideaki Takahashi and centre Fumiya Santo.
The captain for the 2009-10 season was halfback Wataru Ikeda. Ikeda has 14 caps for Japan and he had a long career at Sanyo before the rise of Fumiaki Tanaka encouraged him to move to Ricoh for the 2008-9 season.
Before Ikeda, flanker Shoji Ito was captain for three years but he moved to Kobe at the end of the 2008-9 season. Ito took over from lock Hiroyuki Tanuma (retired at end of 2009-10).
Losses: (13)
Kei SUMITA, 27 y/o (04/07/1985), prop, 182/108, into company workforce after 3 seasons with club.
Mitsuki SAKAMOTO, 27 y/o (02/07/1985), lock, 193/100, into company workforce after 4 seasons with club.
KIM Young-Dae, 30 y/o (20/10/1982), flanker, 179/98, to NTT Docomo after 2 seasons with club.
James HASKELL (ENG), 27 y/o (02/04/1985), backrow, 193/113, 41 caps for England 2007-2011, London Wasps, Stade Francais, to Highlanders after 1 season with club.
Takeru YOSHIZAWA, 26 y/o (15/10/1986), flanker, 173/90, onto team staff after 3 seasons with club.
Rocky HAVILI (Tonga), 32 y/o (08/03/1980), backrow, 180/101, from Suntory (2007-8 and 2008-9), to Canon after 3 seasons with club.
Hale T-POLE (Tonga), 33 y/o (30/04/1979), lock/flanker, 192/110, 15 caps for Tonga & 5 for Pacific Islands. From Ospreys, Wales and formerly S14 Highlanders. From Suntory. To Highlanders after 2 seasons with club.
Yuta GOTO, 27 y/o (27/10/1985), halfback, 172/77, into company workforce after 4 seasons with club.
Tamati ELLISON (NZL), 29 y/o (01/04/1983), centre, 184/95, 1 cap for All Blacks, Maori, NZ Sevens, Hurricanes S14, Wellington NPC, to Highlanders after 2 seasons with club.
Ma’a NONU (NZL), 30 y/o (21/05/1982), centre, 180/106, 63 caps All Blacks 2003-2011, Hurricanes, to Blues after one season with club.
Ryo KANAZAWA (539) 31 y/o (13/07/1981), centre, 174/86, 3 caps at inside centre, to NTT Docomo after 8 seasons with club.
Shinsuke IKEGAMI, 28 y/o (10/11/1983), wing, 175/85, onto team staff after 5 seasons with club.
Marc LE (Malaysia), 26 y/o (06/10/1986), centre/wing/fullback, 182/90, from Wellington Colts, after 2 seasons with club.
Gains: (7)
Takehiro FUJIWARA, 22 y/o (31/01/1990), prop, 172/108, from Tenri University.
Colin BOURKE (NZL), 28 y/o (15/10/1984), No8, 197/112, from Highlanders, Chiefs.
Pohiva LOTOAHEA (Tonga), 24 y/o (10/08/1988), No8, 192/111, from Saitama Institute of Technology, he has represented Japan at U20 and Sevens levels.
Wynand OLIVIER (RSA), 29 y/o (11/06/1983), centre, 186/95, 37 caps for Springboks, from Bulls.
Riki FLUTEY (NZL), 32 y/o (10/02/1980), centre, 180/91, 14 caps for England and one for B&I Lions, from London Wasps.
Justin COVENEY (Philippines/AUS), 27 y/o (02/05/1985), centre, 183/101, 8 caps for Philippines, from Eastern Suburbs (Sydney).
Masaki WATANABE, 23 y/o (07/09/1989), wing, 176/80, from Kanto.
Overseas Players & Staff: (9 + 5)
Emosi Sakura KAUHENGA (Tonga/Japan), 31 y/o (27/04/1981), lock/flanker, 200/125, 6th year, 14 caps for Tonga, from Daitobunka Univ.
Roy KINIKINILAU (NZL), 32 y/o (14/02/1980), centre/wing, 192/110, 4th year. From IBM (2008-9).
Daniel PETERS (NZL), 27 y/o (04/06/1985), fullback, 179/93, 4th year, from Takushoku Uni.
Michael BROADHURST (NZL), 26 y/o (30/10/1986), lock/flanker/No8, 196/105, 3rd year. From Kubota (2009-10).
Colin BOURKE (NZL), 28 y/o (15/10/1984), No8, 197/112, 1st year, from Highlanders, Chiefs.
Pohiva LOTOAHEA (Tonga), 24 y/o (10/08/1988), No8, 192/111, 1st year, from Saitama Institute of Technology, he has represented Japan at U20 and Sevens levels.
Wynand OLIVIER (RSA), 29 y/o (11/06/1983), centre, 186/95, 1st year, 37 caps for Springboks, from Bulls.
Riki FLUTEY (NZL), 32 y/o (10/02/1980), centre, 180/91, 1st year, 14 caps for England and one for B&I Lions, from London Wasps.
Justin COVENEY (Philippines/AUS), 27 y/o (02/05/1985), centre, 183/101, 1st year, 8 caps for Philippines, from Eastern Suburbs (Sydney).
Leon HOLDEN (NZL), 41 y/o, head coach, 2nd year.
Lance HAYWARD (NZL), 50 y/o, backs coach, 5th year.
John GORDON, forwards coach.
Hugh DAVIS, strength coach.
Stephen LARKHAM (AUS), 38 y/o (29/05/1974), adviser.
The 2012-13 Squad: (52) 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.
Daisuke Komatsu (captain), Hideaki Takahashi (vice-captain forwards), Fumiya Santo (vice-captain backs). Forwards: Yuta Ito, Yusuke Nagae, Daisuke Kuwabara, Kazuhiro Shibata, Yusuke Matsumoto, Yusuke Inoue, Takehiro Fujiwara, Yoshiyuki Takizawa Yuki Mori, Masahiro Noguchi, Akiyoshi Kawaguchi, Emosi Sakura Kauhenga, Tomohiro Oinuma, Ryota Ai, Kenta Yamamoto, Takeshi Mabuchi, Michael Broadhurst, Daichi Oyama, Tatsuhide Akabori, Daiki Yanagawa, Rikiya Kawakami, Koji Ai, Gen Kakurai, Hiroyuki Moriyama, Kazuhiro Moriya, Colin Bourke and Pohiva Lotoahea. Backs: Wataru Ikeda, Takashi Kamio, Naotaka Yuasa, Kenichi Yokoyama, Shinichi Yokoyama, Masatoshi Nakamura, Yoshimitsu Kawano, Akihiro Shigemi, Ryo Tokunaga, Shota Tsuda, Hikaru Iwata, Riki Flutey, Wynand Olivier, Justin Coveney, Kazuki Kohama, Roy Kinikinilau, Yusuke Kobuki, Shori Hoshino, Genki Hasegawa, Akihiro Shioyama, Masaki Watanabe and Daniel Peters. Head Coach: Leon Holden (41).
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 three and five of their seven round games while the Kansai league schools have now all played four 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 have both won their first four games while Waseda and Tsukuba have three wins and one loss from their opening four games. Keio have won one and lost two, Nippon Sports Science have 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 have won five straight and Tokai have won straight wins to push ahead in the early stages of the competition with 20 points and 16 points respectively. Nihon are the next best placed school on 14 points from three wins and two losses while Takushoku have 11 points from two wins and three losses. Hosei and Chuo both have 10 points from two wins and two losses but Kanto Gakuin have 5 points from 5 losses and Daitobunka have 4 points after four opening 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 fourth round of matches, Tenri and Ritsumeikan have both had four wins. Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, Kwansei Gakuin and Kinki have all had two wins and two losses while Kyoto Sangyo and Doshisha have one win for three losses leaving Setsunan without a win.
Last up-dated: Wednesday, 31 October 2012.
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