RiJ wraps up another year and brings the reader round twelve of Top League and also profiles NTT Docomo. Meanwhile, the third and final round of the Second Stage of the 49th National University Championship was played over the weekend. Further, Mitsubishi Dynaboars won Top Challenge Two to qualify for the up-coming Top Challenge One series.
Enjoy the read.
Ian McDonnell lives and works in Japan. He can be contacted at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp
CONTENTS
- Japan Rugby Top League Round 12
- Top League Promotion and Relegation: Top Challenge Series 2012-13
- Top League Profiles: (12) – NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes
- 49th University Championship 2012-2013
- Wales tour to Japan 2013
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
Round Twelve
Round Twelve
| Date | Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue |
| Sat, 22 Dec 2012 | NTT Comm. (1T) | 13-10 | Kintetsu (1T) | 12:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
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| NEC (5Ts) | 34-0 | Canon | 14:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
| Sun, 23 Dec 2012 | Toyota (8Ts) | 52-7 | Ricoh (1T) | 12:00 | Kobe, Hyogo |
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| Kobe (4Ts) | 24-25 | Panasonic (3Ts) | 14:00 | Kobe, Hyogo |
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| Sanix (1T) | 13-42 | NTT Docomo (6Ts) | 12:00 | Kagoshima, Kagoshima |
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| Kyuden (1T) | 5-101 | Toshiba (15Ts) | 14:00 | Kagoshima, Kagoshima |
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| Yamaha (4Ts) | 29-35 | Suntory (5Ts) | 13:00 | Iwata, Shizuoka |
Round Twelve Preview
In the first game of a double header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday, NTT Communications Shining Arcs play Kintetsu Liners. The Shining Arcs were the big improvers over the early stages of the season but they have lost their last four matches in a row and this will not do too much for their confidence. The Arcs are in ninth place on 23 competition points from five wins and six losses and they will be looking to secure a mid table finish with a win over Kintetsu. Kintetsu have had an up and down season winning six and losing five to be in seventh place on 31 points. Last round the Liners beat Canon 44-39 at their home base and this week they will be entertaining their fourth win on the trot. Osaka-based Kintetsu have had the luxury of five games this season on their home ground of Hanazono but now have to finish the season with two games in Tokyo against NTT Comm. and then Toshiba and this will test their mettle.
In the second game in Tokyo, NEC Green Rockets play Canon Eagles. After finishing fourth and making the play-offs for the first time last season NEC have slumped to tenth place on the table with 22 points from four wins and seven losses. After the November break, the Green Rockets had wins over Kyuden and NTT Comm. but suffered a further loss last Sunday in Gifu going down 49-35 to Yamaha. Playing in Top League for the first time this year, Canon have had wins over NTT Docomo, Kyuden and Sanix but went down to Kintetsu 44-39 last Saturday in Osaka. As the newest team in Top League, every game is a tough game for Canon and with the team having successfully avoided the prospect of relegation the gritty Eagles will ready themselves for the challenge against NEC knowing they could leapfrog them on the table with a win.
On Sunday, in the first game of a double header at the Home’s Stadium in Kobe, Toyota Verblitz face Ricoh Black Rams. Toyota have had something of a topsy turvy season but still have an outside chance of making the play-offs if they can collect maximum points from their final two games. The Verblitz are in sixth place with 33 points from seven wins, a draw and three losses behind Yamaha on 35 points and Panasonic and Toshiba both on 40 points and so they need to beat Ricoh and then NTT Docomo next week to stay in the race. Ricoh, on the other hand, had a tough start to the season with four losses but turned things around remarkably with four wins on the trot including the scalp of Toshiba before losing to Kintetsu and then Kyuden more recently. Ricoh bounced back with a 44-14 win over NTT Docomo last round and they are going to be difficult opponents for Toyota to put away as the Black Rams also look to improve their standings.
In the second game in Kobe, Kobelco Steelers are at the Home’s Stadium for the second week in a row when they host Panasonic Wild Knights in what is the biggest game of the round. As the inaugural Top League champions back in 2003-4, Kobe are by far the biggest improvers this season with nine wins, a draw and one loss to sit in outright second position on the table on 46 points and they will be looking to continue the momentum against Panasonic. Kobe suffered their first loss of the season last round on this very ground when they went down to Toshiba 29-27, however, the losing bonus point they picked up ensured them a place in the play-offs. Nevertheless, to be taken as serious title contenders Kobe must come up with a win over Panasonic this week or Suntory next week in the lead up to the finals. Panasonic had a roller coaster ride over the first half of the season but have found their form of old since the November break with comprehensive wins over Toyota, NTT Docomo and Kyuden to move into third place on the table with 40 points. With Panasonic in such devastating form at the moment they can set about consolidating a place in the play-offs if they take the points from this match.
In the first game of a double header at the Kagoshima Kamoike Stadium in Kagoshima city in the far south of Kyushu, Kyushu based Fukuoka Sanix Blues play NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. Sanix had a positive start to the season with a win over Kyuden in the opening round they have since lost ten on the trot over the ensuing rounds to languish in second to last place on 6 points. The Blues were well beaten 35-25 by Toyota in Okinawa last round and as they take on the only side below them on the table this round they will be building for what would be their second win of the season. NTT Docomo have struggled for any kind of form this season losing eleven straight games to sit on the bottom of the table and as the only team in the league without a win it may be another long afternoon in the park against the Blues. In their first year in Top League last year, NTT managed two wins and a draw to finish twelfth and successfully avoid automatic relegation and then beat Kubota in the promotion and relegation play-offs but wins have proved elusive this year.
In the second game in Kagoshima, the other Kyushu based side in Top League this season in Kyuden Voltex take on the might of Toshiba Brave Lupus. After fighting their way back into Top League this season, Kyuden had seven straight losses in their first season back in the top flight after two seasons in the Kyushu league before crucially coming up with a win over NTT Docomo in round eight. They then came up with their second win when they pulled victory from the jaws of defeat against Ricoh in round ten but were put to the sword 76-35 by Panasonic last round. Toshiba have had three losses this season but are close to qualifying for the semi-finals as they sit in fourth place on 40 points. In the lead-up to the business end of the season they strangled Kobe last round taking full points in their 29-27 win with a no-nonsense approach and the Brave Lupus should have too much experience and guile for Kyuden this round.
In the final game in round twelve, Yamaha Jubilo are at home at the Yamaha Stadium in Iwata city in Shizuoka prefecture for the fourth time this season to host Suntory Sungoliath. Yamaha opened the year with four wins but have been up and down since. More recently, consecutive losses to Toshiba and Kintetsu saw Jubilo drop out of the top four but a solid 49-35 win over NEC last round keeps their season alive. Yamaha are now five points behind Toshiba in fourth spot on the table and they have the unenviable task of coming up with a win over Suntory to enhance their prospects of making the play-offs. Suntory are proving to be unstoppable and are still undefeated this season going into this game and sit on top of the table on 53 points from a possible 55 and as a result became the first team to book their place in the play-offs, making the semi-finals for the seventh season in a row.
Round Twelve Wrap-up
After the twelfth round of the 2012-13 Japan Rugby Top League season played on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 December 2012, unbeaten Suntory Sungoliath are on top with 58 points followed by Kobelco Steelers who suffered their second loss of the season to Panasonic on 48 points. Toshiba Brave Lupus are in third place on 45 points from Panasonic Wild Knights on 44 points to round out the top four. Toyota Verblitz climb to fifth on 38 points with Yamaha Jubilo dropping to sixth place on 37 points ahead of Kintetsu Liners in seventh on 32 points from six wins and six losses. Ricoh Black Rams are eighth on 28 points just ahead of NEC Green Rockets and NTT Communications Shining Arcs on 27 points. They are followed by Canon Eagles in eleventh place on 19 points and Kyuden Voltex in twelfth place on 14 points. NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes claimed their first win of the season this round and they rise one place to thirteenth on 7 points with Fukuoka Sanix Blues on 6 points sitting on the bottom of the table.
In the first game of a double header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday, NTT Communications Shining Arcs played Kintetsu Liners in heavy, boggy conditions as result of overnight rains. The conditions played their part in a tryless first half with NTT Comm. five-eighth Yoshio Kimishima knocking over two penalties while centre Shotaro Onishi landed one for Kintetsu. The situation was compounded for the Liners in the first forty minutes with flanker Taiki Nakai spending ten minutes in the sinbin for repeated infringements. The mud wrestling continued for the opening twenty minutes of the latter half until Kintetsu mauled the ball across the NTT Comm. try line for the first try of the match. Replacement backrower Isamu Matsuoka came up with the try and the successful Onishi conversion put Kintetsu out to a handy 10-6 lead. In the 28th minute, Kimishima restored the lead for the Arcs when he collected a try off a rebounded kick and he then converted his own try to make it 13-10. Neither side could further trouble the scorekeeper with the Shining Arcs holding on to win 13-10.
In the second game in Tokyo, NEC Green Rockets took on Canon Eagles. NEC got their name on the scoreboard first with veteran wing Koichiro Kubota touching down in the 5th minute from a kick pass and although Yu Tamura could not secure the extras, given the conditions any lead was a good lead. Flanker Nili Latu then widened the gap to 10-0 in the 15th minute with a try from a 5 metre lineout. The sun started to appear as the half wore on and with less surface water to contend with both sides threw the ball around but with no further addition to the score NEC led Canon 10-0 into the halftime break. Early in the second half, Tamura landed his first penalty of the afternoon to build the pressure on Canon. The lead was extended even further with Tamura crossing for the third NEC try in the 18th minute after the Canon backs fumbled the ball in their red zone. Tamura converted his own try to make it 20-0. To put the final nail in the coffin, late in the match NEC fullback Hiroshi Yamashita scored two late tries to bring up the bonus point and see the Rockets through to a 34-0 victory.
On Sunday, in the first game of a double header at the Home’s Stadium in Kobe, Toyota Verblitz faced Ricoh Black Rams. Toyota stunned Ricoh over the opening quarter of this encounter scoring three converted tries to get out to a neat 21-0 lead. Big lock Tomoaki Taniguchi, wing Kosuke Endo and centre Steven Yates scored the tries with five-eighth Takuya Monji landing all three conversions. Yates crossed for his second five pointer later in the half bring up the bonus point and extending the lead to 26-0 by halftime. Yates brought up his hat-trick in the 3rd minute of the second half and at 33-0 the match was slipping away from the Black Rams. However, Roy Kinikinilau touched down for Ricoh in the 12th minute, but that did not stop the Toyota attack with Endo scoring again in the 18th and 31st minutes to blow out the score to 47-7. No8 and game captain Takashi Kikutani put the icing on the cake with a late try with the Verblitz claiming a 52-7 victory.
In the second game in Kobe, Kobelco Steelers were at the Home’s Stadium for the second week in a row when they hosted Panasonic Wild Knights in what was the biggest game of the round. The injury depleted Steelers got on the board first thanks to a try to wing Yusuke Hamashima in the 6th minute but after that the first half belonged to Panasonic. Fullback Atsushi Tanabe potted two penalties and when flanker Sione Vatuvei scored a try late in the half it eventually took the sides to the sheds with the Knights leading 13-5. Lock Yu Young-Nam chalked up the second Panasonic try in the 4th minute of the latter half to widen the gap to 18-5. Kobe were next to strike with tries to flanker Itaru Taniguchi in the 12th minute and lock and game captain Shoji Ito in the 17th minute reducing the deficit to 18-17. Replacement backrower Tadasuke Nishihara scored the third Panasonic try in the 27th minute and the successful Tanabe conversion gave the Knights a little breathing space at 25-17 going into the final ten minutes of play. With two minutes remaining on the clock centre Fraser Anderson scored and Kyohei Morita added the conversion to make it a one-point game at 25-24 but time ran out allowing Panasonic to take the points.
In the first game of a double header at the Kagoshima Kamoike Stadium in Kagoshima city in the far south of Kyushu, Kyushu based Fukuoka Sanix Blues went down to NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 42-13. Five-eighth Hiroshi Tashiro kicked an early penalty for Sanix before the Red Hurricanes went on the offensive scoring tries through five-eighth Hamish Gard, fullback Kunimitsu Numata and lock Hiroki Yoshioka with Gard adding the extras on each occasion to break out to a 21-6 lead by the break. The sinbinning of former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn late in the first half did not help the Sanix cause, leaving plenty to do for the Blues in the second half. Gard crossed for his second and the bonus point try shortly after the commencement of the latter half turning the screws on Sanix at 28-6. Wing Kohei Hamazato got the first try for the Blues in the 16th minute with the conversion making it 28-13. Flanker Steven Setephano restored the margin to 35-13 with the fifth NTT try in the 23rd minute before replacement half Dai Kasagi put the result beyond doubt with a late try as NTT went on to record their first win of the season.
In the second game in Kagoshima, the other Kyushu based side in Top League this season in Kyuden Voltex took on the might of Toshiba Brave Lupus. Toshiba were hard to contain in the opening half with their open running game producing six tries with veteran fullback Goshi Tachikawa and halfback Jun Fujii among the scorers. The only bright spot for Kyuden was a try to rookie fullback Tomohiro Shokai late in proceedings as the Voltex trailed 40-5 at halftime. There was no respite in the second period with five more tries, including a double to backrower Michael Leitch broadening the disparity to 75-5 by the hour mark. The tries kept coming with loosehead prop Masataka Mikami scoring the twelfth try in the 26th minute, followed by flanker Steven Bates in the 30th minute. The onslaught continued with another two tries bringing up three figures for the first time in a Top League match with Toshiba scoring a total of 15 tries and 13 conversions in the 101-5 win.
In the final game in round twelve, Yamaha Jubilo were at home at the Yamaha Stadium in Iwata city in Shizuoka prefecture for the fourth time this season to host Suntory Sungoliath. With a place in the play-offs at stake, this was a game the Jubilo could not afford to lose and as such they threw down the gauntlet to their high flying opponents. Yamaha fullback Ayumu Goromaru and Suntory centre Ryan Nicholas traded early penalties before Suntory loosehead prop Tateo Kanai scored the first try of the match in the 33rd minute to give the defending Top League champions a 10-3 lead. In the shadows of halftime Shinji Nakazono crossed for Yamaha with the Goromaru conversion locking things up at 10-all at the break. As the second half got underway, Suntory gradually edged ahead with a try to wing Hirotoki Onozawa in the opening minute and further five pointers to flanker Takamichi Sasaki in the 6th minute and five-eighth Tusi Pisi in the 18th minute. A converted try to centre Male Sau in the 25th minute kept the hosts in the game as they chased from 27-17 down, however, centre Koji Taira restored the margin a few minutes later making it 32-17. Yamaha wing Shota Tanaka scored two late tries to ensure two bonus points but Suntory kept their unbeaten record intact with a 35-29 win.
Japan Rugby Top League 2012-13
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| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Suntory | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 438 | 229 | 209 | 10 | 0 | 58 |
| 2 | Kobe | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 439 | 212 | 227 | 8 | 2 | 48 |
| 3 | Toshiba | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 428 | 236 | 192 | 7 | 2 | 45 |
| 4 | Panasonic | 12 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 465 | 261 | 204 | 7 | 1 | 44 |
| 5 | Toyota | 12 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 312 | 267 | 45 | 3 | 1 | 38 |
| 6 | Yamaha | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 384 | 290 | 94 | 6 | 3 | 37 |
| 7 | Kintetsu | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 326 | 258 | 68 | 5 | 3 | 32 |
| 8 | Ricoh | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 301 | 314 | -13 | 5 | 3 | 28 |
| 9 | NEC | 12 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 344 | 339 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 27 |
| 10 | NTT Comm. | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 212 | 286 | -74 | 1 | 2 | 27 |
| 11 | Canon | 12 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 273 | 338 | -65 | 5 | 2 | 19 |
| 12 | Kyuden | 12 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 211 | 564 | -354 | 4 | 2 | 14 |
| 13 | NTT Docomo | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 193 | 493 | -300 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 14 | Sanix | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 220 | 458 | -238 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
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 twelve, Yamaha fullback Ayumu Goromaru tops the point scorers list with 149 points.
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| Name | Team | T | G | PG | DG | Pts |
| 1 | Ayumu Goromaru | Yamaha | 1 | 36 | 24 | 0 | 149 |
| 2 | Atsushi Tanabe | Panasonic | 1 | 39 | 21 | 0 | 146 |
| 3 | Yoshio Kimishima | NTT Comm. | 3 | 17 | 26 | 0 | 127 |
| 4 | Stephen Brett | Toyota | 9 | 18 | 15 | 0 | 126 |
| 5 | Shotaro Onishi | Kintetsu | 0 | 29 | 15 | 1 | 106 |
| 6 | Peter Grant | Kobe | 0 | 26 | 16 | 0 | 100 |
| 7 | Yu Tamura | NEC | 2 | 33 | 7 | 0 | 97 |
| 8 | Ryohei Mitomo | Canon | 3 | 22 | 12 | 0 | 95 |
| 9 | Hiroshi Tashiro | Sanix | 0 | 16 | 20 | 0 | 92 |
| 9 | Ryan Nicholas | Suntory | 2 | 23 | 12 | 0 | 92 |
| 11 | Akihito Yamada | Panasonic | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90 |
| 12 | David Hill | Toshiba | 0 | 22 | 12 | 0 | 80 |
| 12 | Yoshimitsu Kawano | Ricoh | 1 | 18 | 13 | 0 | 80 |
| 14 | Nemani Nadolo | NEC | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 78 |
| 15 | Jaque Fourie | Kobe | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 65 |
Leading Try Scorers
At the completion of round twelve, Panasonic wing Akihito Yamada tops the try scorers list with 18 tries.
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| Name | Team | Tries |
| 1 | Akihito Yamada | Panasonic | 18 |
| 2 | Nemani Nadolo | NEC | 15 |
| 3 | Jaque Fourie | Kobe | 13 |
| 4 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Suntory | 12 |
| 5 | Stephen Brett | Toyota | 9 |
| 6 | Hiraku Tomoigawa | NTT Comm. | 8 |
| 6 | Toetu’u Taufa | Kintetsu | 8 |
| 6 | Shindo Kamaike | NEC | 8 |
| 6 | Steven Bates | Toshiba | 8 |
| 10 | So Kil-Ryong | Yamaha | 7 |
| 10 | Takehisa Usuzuki | Toshiba | 7 |
| 10 | Karn Hesketh | Sanix | 7 |
| 10 | Deryck Thomas | Yamaha | 7 |
Round 12 Man-of-the-match Awards
| Date | Teams | Score | Teams | Ground | MOTM |
| Sat 22 Dec 2012 | NTT Comm. | 13-10 | Kintetsu | Chichibu, Tokyo | Yoshio Kimishima, Five-eighth |
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| NEC | 34-0 | Canon | Chichibu, Tokyo | Tomohiro Sakurai, Halfback |
| Sun 16 Dec 2012 | Toyota | 52-7 | Ricoh | Kobe, Hyogo | Tomoaki Taniguchi, Lock |
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| Kobe | 24-25 | Panasonic | Kobe, Hyogo | Shota Horie, Hooker |
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| Sanix | 13-42 | NTT Docomo | Kagoshima, Kagoshima | Hamish Gard, Five-eighth |
| Kyuden | 5-101 | Toshiba | Kagoshima, Kagoshima | David Hill, Five-eighth | |
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| Yamaha | 29-35 | Suntory | Iwata, Shizuoka | Hirotoki Onozawa, Wing |
Top League Promotion and Relegation: Top Challenge Series 2012-13
The Top Challenge Series determines which two sides from the regional leagues will be promoted for the 2013-14 Japan Rugby Top League season.
At the completion of the thirteen rounds of the 2012-13 Japan Rugby Top League competition the two teams that finish in fourteenth and thirteenth places, that is, last and second last play through the promotion and relegation play-offs to retain their places in Top League for the 2013-14 season.
In Top Challenge Two, the three sides that finished in second position in the three regional leagues, that is, Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Top East), Honda Heat (Top West) and Mazda Zoomers (Top Kyushu) played off with Mitsubishi as the winner progressing to Top Challenge One.
In Top Challenge One, the three sides that finished in first position in the three regional leagues, that is, Kubota Spears (Top East), Toyota Industries Shuttles (Top West), Coca-Cola West Red Sparks (Top Kyushu) together with Mitsubishi as the winner of Top Challenge Two play each other once with the top two teams gaining automatic promotion to Top League for the 2013-14 season.
Furthermore, the team that finishes third in Top Challenge One has a second bite of the cherry in a one-off promotion and relegation play-off with the team that finishes fourteenth in Top League while the team that finishes fourth in Top Challenge One plays the team that finishes thirteenth in Top League.
Top Challenge One 2012-13
The sides to contest Top Challenge One 2011-12 are: Kubota Spears (Top East), Toyota Industries Shuttles (Top West), Coca-Cola West Red Sparks (Top Kyushu) together with Mitsubishi Dynaboars as the winner of Top Challenge Two.
| Pos. | Team | P | W | L | F | A | +/- |
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| Kubota |
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| Toyota Ind. |
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| Coca-Cola |
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| Mitsubishi |
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Round 1
Toyota Industries Shuttles (Top West 1) v Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Winner TC 2)
Date: Saturday, 05 January 2013
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
Kick-off: 12:00
Report here.
Kubota Spears (Top East 1) v Coca-Cola West Red Sparks (Top Kyushu 1)
Date: Saturday, 05 January 2013
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
Kick-off: 14:00
Report here.
Round 2
Saturday, 12 January 2013
Coca-Cola West Red Sparks (Top Kyushu 1) v Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Winner TC2), Hanazono, Osaka, 12:00.
Toyota industries Shuttles (Top West 1) v Kubota Spears (Top East 1), Hanazono, Osaka, 14:00.
Round 3
Sunday, 20 January 2013
Kubota Spears (Top East 1) v Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Winner TC2), TBC, 12:00.
Coca-Cola West Red Sparks (Top Kyushu 1) v Toyota industries Shuttles (Top West 1), TBC, 14:00.
Top Challenge Two 2012-13
The three sides that contested Top Challenge Two 2012-13 were: Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Top East), Honda Heat (Top West) and Mazda Blue Zoomers (Top Kyushu). Mitsubishi won both their games to qualify for Top Challenge One.
Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Top East 2) 18 d Honda Heat (Top West 2) 9
Date: Sunday, 09 December 2012
Venue: Universiade Stadium, Kobe
Kick-off: 13:00
At the Universiade Stadium in Kobe, Mitsubishi as the runner-up in Top East beat Honda, the runner-up in Top West 18-9 in a tight tryless game. Five-eighth and former England international Dave Warner scored all the points for Mitsubishi with six penalties to chalk up the first win in the Top Challenge Two 2012-13 series.
Honda Heat (Top West 2) 33 d Mazda Blue Zoomers (Top Kyushu 2) 7
Date: Sunday, 16 December 2012
Venue: Coca-Cola West Ground, Hiroshima
Kick-off: 13:00
After being relegated from Top League at the end of the 2011-12 season, Honda played out of the Top West competition this season where they finished first. Honda helped their cause of achieving promotion when they beat Mazda 33-7, scoring 5 tries to one in the process. With the likes of former Japan utility back Bryce Robins in their ranks Honda were far superior to the second best team in Kyushu.
Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Top East 2) 81 Mazda Blue Zoomers (Top Kyushu 2) 7
Date: Monday, 24 December 2012
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
Kick-off: 13:00
Mitsubishi overwhelmed Mazda scoring 13 tries to one in their runaway 81-7 victory that guaranteed the Dynaboars a place in Top Challenge One. Former Welsh international wing Shane Williams scored 3 tries and kicked 5 conversions during his 65 minutes on the paddock.
Top League Profiles 2012-13
(12) – NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes
2012-13 Introduction: Last season (2011-12) NTT Docomo finished twelfth in what was their first season in Top League. First and foremost, NTT Docomo achieved their primary objective of retaining their place in Top League when they beat Kubota 29-27 in the promotion and relegation play-offs and the club and the players will be all the better for its as they enter their second year in the major league. It was the experienced players in the squad that set the standard last season and they have to front up again this year if NTT Docomo are to improve. The old heads including former Japan representatives in No8 Takuro Miuchi, prop Yuichi Hisadomi, hooker Naonori Mizuyama, five-eighth Hiroaki Ito and wing Koji Tomioka along with the overseas players such as All Blacks centurion fullback Mils Muliaina and Australian lock Mitch Chapman are important personnel in this Osaka based squad.
Established: NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes were established in 1994. The team was under the umbrella of NTT Docomo Kansai until 2008 but since then has been under the guise of NTT Docomo. Rugby is the company sport for the NTT Docomo Kansai telecommunications group and they have the team slogan ‘Team of Dreams for the Dream.’ Red is the colour of heat and passion and this has been adopted as the team colour while the team has also taken on the symbol of the Hurricane representing force and strength. The team was formed in 1994 and started playing in Division D of the Kansai Rugby Company Leagues. They gradually progressed through the divisions to Division A in 2003. After mid table finishes for a number of years in Top West A they were runners-up in the 2009-10 but were knocked out of the Top Challenge season keeping them in the regional league for another year. However they won the league in the 2010-11 season and then went on to top the Top Challenge One series to qualify for Top League for the first time for the 2011-12 season. The team is based in Umeda in Kita ward, Osaka city and use the Docomo Osaka Nanko ground for training.
The team slogan for 2011-12 is “Speed Rugby – Faster than the Opposition”.
The Company: NTT Docomo, Inc. is the predominant mobile phone operator in Japan, accounting for about half the market in the country. Docomo provides phone, video phone, internet and mail services and has its headquarters in Chiyoda ward in Tokyo. NTT Docomo is a subsidiary of Japan’s incumbent telephone operator NTT (Nippon, Telegraph and Telephone). NTT Docomo Kansai services Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Shiga, Nara and Wakayama prefectures.
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): 12th on table on 15 points with 2 wins, a draw and 10 losses. Beat Kubota 29-27 in P&R Play-off.
2010-11 (14 teams): DNP. Played in Top West.
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): Qualified as Top Challenger. Beat Waseda 66-43 in first round then lost to Kobe 38-0 in second round.
2010 (47th NC - 10 teams): DNP.
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: Red jersey with black and white flashes through flanks, black shorts and socks. The second jersey is grey.
Style of Play: Osaka based NTT Docomo topped the Top Challenge One series to automatically qualify for Top League for the 2011-12 season. The team played in Top League for the very first time and finished in twelfth place on 15 points with 2 wins, a draw and 10 losses. This meant they had to play through the promotion and relegation play-offs where they beat Kubota 29-27 to retain their place in Top League for the 2012-13 season.
NTT Docomo will be all that much better in their second season in Top League, but their main task will again be to avoid relegation. However, All Blacks centurion fullback Mils Muliaina and Australian lock Mitch Chapman were important signings for a club in their inaugural year and they will have to put their best foot forward with the primary objective for the season of garnering enough wins to avoid relegation. Former Japan captain Andrew McCormick has been replaced as the coach at the Red Hurricanes by Kazunari Takano and he will have his work cut out instilling confidence in his charges and getting them up to speed for the rigours of the Top League season ahead. A number of players have had experience at international level and also in Top League with other clubs including prop Yuichi Hisadomi (NEC), hooker Naonori Mizuyama (NEC), lock Chi Hong Chong (Sanix and IBM), former Japan captain and No8 Takuro Miuchi (NEC), five-eighth Hiroaki Ito (Kubota and Sanix) and wing Koji Tomioka (Yamaha) and these players will have to guide the lesser experienced player in the squad.
Players to Watch: A lot of the fortune or otherwise of NTT Docomo in Top League in 2012-13 will depend on the overseas players and the seasoned local players who have previously played with other clubs in Top League. In the forwards, former Australia A lock Mitch Chapman, former Chiefs and Highlanders backrower Steven Setephano, Tonga born backrowers Sioeli Iongi and Moliteka Inoke are going to have to work hard in the engine room to make the team competitive with other sides. Furthermore, the Red Hurricanes also have the services of some other old heads including former Japan representatives in No8 Takuro Miuchi, prop Yuichi Hisadomi and hooker Naonori Mizuyama who have all transferred to the team over the past few years.
In the backs, it is a similar story with All Blacks centurion fullback Mils Muliaina and New Zealand born five-eighth Hamish Gard important stabilising influences on the backs while Tongan born centre Siupeli Lokotui is in his second year with NTT Docomo this year after a number of seasons with Ricoh and NEC. Paea Mifiposeti is another Tongan player who has been through the education system in Japan and he has represented Japan at Sevens as well as Japan A levels. Other players in the club who have plied their trade with other Top League clubs over the years include veteran five-eighth Hiroaki Ito (Kubota and Sanix) and centre Ryo Kanazawa (Ricoh) who have both represented Japan at the international level, along centre Takeshi Nakaya (World) and wing Kunimitsu Numata (World).
Cap Holders for Japan in the Current Squad: (5)
In 2012, in the HSBC A5N series, the IRB PNC series and Japan tour to Europe in the autumn, NTT Docomo were not represented.
In 2011, in the HSBC A5N series, the IRB 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 Docomo 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 Docomo were not represented.
The following players at NTT Docomo have represented Japan though they were not playing with the club when they did so.
Takuro MIUCHI (420), 37 y/o (11/12/1975), 48 caps as No8.
Yuichi HISADOMI (419), 34 y/o (11/08/1978), 21 caps as prop.
Naonori MIZUYAMA (513), 30 y/o (15/03/1982), 3 caps as hooker.
Hiroaki ITO (442), 37 y/o (17/11/1975), 2 caps as five-eighth.
Ryo KANAZAWA (539), 31 y/o (13/07/1981), 3 caps as centre.
The Coach: The head coach at NTT Docomo for the 2012-13 season is Kazunari Takano (39, 03/02/1973).
In 2011-12 Andrew McCormick (44 y/o, 05/02/1967) was the head coach. New Zealand born McCormick (Japan test player number 342) played at Toshiba and represented Japan as a centre in 25 tests and was captain in 16 tests including the 1999 RWC.
The Captain: The captain at NTT Docomo for 2012-13 is wing/centre Takeshi Hirase. He carries on the role from last season, is 28 years old (07/06/1984) and is in his sixth season with the club. Meanwhile, the vice-captains are again prop Isao Matsukawa (31) and centre Takehiro Kiyose (27).
Losses: (10)
Hiroshi KUMASAKA, 26 y/o (19/03/1986), prop, 176/116, into company workforce after 3 years with the club.
Shinsuke HORIUCHI, 32 y/o (18/07/1980), hooker, 173/99, into company workforce after 9 years with the club.
Atsutomo INOUE, 30 y/o (27/08/1982), lock, 191/97, into company workforce after 7 years with the club.
Atsushi DOI, 26 y/o (22/10/1986), lock, 190/102, into company workforce after 3 years with the club.
Kosuke YAMAZAKI, 30 y/o (10/04/1982), flanker, 182/96, into company workforce after 7 years with the club.
CHONG Chi-hong, 29 y/o (15/03/1983), flanker, 185/102, to Toyota Industries after 3 years with the club.
Shotaro TAHARA, 28 y/o (05/01/1984), halfback, 173/76, to Toyota Industries after 4 years with the club.
Toru AOKI, 30 y/o (29/01/1982), centre, 175/85, into company workforce after 8 years with the club.
Koji TOMIOKA, 32 y/o (07/05/1980), wing, 178/81, 6 caps for Japan, after 3 years with the club.
Yoshihiko MIKI, 29 y/o (20/09/1983), fullback, 173/78, into company workforce after 6 years with the club.
Gains: (10)
CHANG Tae-Yook 23 y/o (10/10/1989), prop, 182/108, from Kwansei Gakuin University.
Naoki NISHIMURA, 23 y/o (27/11/1989), prop, 178/115, from Teikyo University.
Yoichiro TSUCHIYA, 23 y/o (04/12/1989), lock, 187/95, from Waseda University, he has represented Japan at High School level.
KIM Young-Dae, 30 y/o (20/10/1982), flanker, 179/98, Kintetsu (2005-6 to 2006-7), Honda (2007-8 to 2009-10), from Ricoh (2010-11 to 2011-12).
Ryo KAWADA, 23 y/o (09/08/1989), flanker, 174/85, from Yamanashi Gakuin University.
Ryosuke CHIFU, 23 y/o (02/03/1989), No8, 182/100, from JR Kyushu (2011-12).
AHN Seng-Hyuk (Korea), 29 y/o (23/03/1983), halfback, 183/85, 12 caps for Korea, from NEC (2008-9 to 2011-12).
Ippei HATA, 22 y/o (01/02/1990), halfback, 152/53, from Meiji University.
Yoshihito SATO, 22 y/o (14/03/1990), five-eighth, 178/82, from Tokai University.
Ryo KANAZAWA (539), 31 y/o (13/07/1981), centre, 174/86, 3 caps for Japan, from Ricoh (2004-5 to 2011-12).
Overseas Players and Staff: (10 + 3)
Moliteka INOKE Taito (Japan/Tonga), 28 y/o (25/06/1984), No8, 180/100, 5th year, Saitama Institute of Technology.
Hamish GARD (NZL), 27 y/o (21/06/1985), five-eighth/centre, 185/92, 4th year, Canterbury, Crusaders.
HEO Woong (Korea), 27 y/o (13/01/1985), prop, 185/115, 4th year, 18 caps for Korea.
Sioeli IONGI (Tonga), 26 y/o (12/01/1986), flanker/No8, 187/124, 3rd year, Setsunan Univ, he has represented Japan at Japan A level.
Mitchell CHAPMAN (AUS), 29 y/o, (15/03/1983), lock, 197/110, 2nd year, Australia A, Brumbies, Reds.
Steven SETEPHANO (NZL), 28 y/o, (15/04/1984), flanker/No8, 192/110, 2nd year, Chiefs, Highlanders, Waikato, Otago.
Paea MIFIPOSETI (Tonga), 25 y/o (06/07/1987), utility back, 176/103, 2nd year, from Saitama Institute of Technology. He has represented Japan at Japan A and Sevens levels.
Siupeli LOKOTUI (Tonga/Japan), 29 y/o (14/05/1983), centre, 186/110, 2nd year, he studied at Takushoku University before joining Ricoh (2007-8). He has represented Japan at Sevens and U23s. From NEC (3 seasons from 2008-9 to 2010-11).
Mils MULIAINA (NZL), 32 y/o (31/07/1980), fullback, 183/92, 2nd year, 100 caps for All Blacks, Chiefs.
AHN Seng-Hyuk (Korea), 29 y/o (23/03/1983), halfback, 183/85, 12 caps for Korea, from NEC (2008-9 to 2011-12).
Semo SITITI (Samoa), 38 y/o (06/03/1974), backrow, 189/110, 63 caps for Samoa and 4 for the Pacific Islands. Forwards coach.
Dean LUTTON ?? 38 y/o, backs coach.
Peter McDONALD, 53 y/o, strength and conditioning coach.
The 2012-13 Squad: (55) 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.
Takeshi Hirase (c), Isao Matsukawa (v-c, forwards), Takehiro Kiyose (v-c, backs). Forwards: Yuichi Hisadomi, Heo Woong, Hiroshi Kitajima, Tomoaki Banno, Naoya Manabe, Chang Tae-Yook, Naoki Nishimura, Naonori Mizuyama, Keijiro Jinno, Masaki Midorikawa, Hideki Matsubara, Hajime Kumagai, Hiroki Yoshioka, Mitchell Chapman, Taro Matsukawa, Yoichiro Tsuchiya, Takuro Miuchi, Hiroyuki Ogata, Kim Young-Dae, Steven Setephano, Kosuke Tsujii, Arata Kikuchi, Ryo Kawada, Moliteka Inoke Taito Sioeli Iongi and Ryosuke Chifu. Backs: Ahn Seng-Hyuk, Takuya Tsujino, Dai Kasagi, Ippei Hata, Hiroaki Ito, Naoki Miyazato, Hamish Gard, Masashi Okawa, Kenji Murata, Paea Mifiposeti, Yoshihito Sato, Mils Muliaina, Takeshi Nakaya, Ryo Kanazawa, Siupeli Lokotui, Kenta Yamashita, Yosuke Eto, Kunimitsu Numata, Yoshimi Watanabe, Shota Saiguchi, Ryuichi Arai, Masaki Kawabata, Koki Shigeno, and Go Uchida.
49th National University Championship 2012-13
Round Three
Sunday 23 December 2012
Pool A: Hosei University 29 d Keio University 28, Kumagaya, Saitama, 12:00.
Both sides scored 4 tries apiece but Hosei left it to the death to take the match with a late penalty.
Pool D: Teikyo University 48 d Ritsumeikan University 12, Chichibu, Tokyo, 12:00.
Teikyo scored 7 tries to 2 in their comfortable 48-12 win over Ritsumeikan to top Pool D and qualify for the Final Stage.
Pool B: Waseda University 61 d Osaka University H&SS 8, Hanazono, Osaka, 12:00.
Waseda overwhelmed OUHSS 61-8 scoring 9 tries to one in the process to head Pool B.
Pool C: Nihon University 29 d Kinki University 24, Level 5, Fukuoka, 12:00.
Kinki fought back late in the game but Nihon took the encounter 29-24 scoring 4 tries to 3.
Pool B: Ryutsu Keizai University 36 d Tenri University 24, Kumagaya, Saitama, 14:00.
RKU were too strong for Tenri scoring 6 tries to 4 to claim a 36-24 victory.
Pool C: Tokai University 45 d Meiji University 36, Chichibu, Tokyo, 14:00.
Tokai topped Pool C after this 45-36, 7 tries to 6 win over traditionally strong school Meiji.
Pool A: Tsukuba University 54 d Kwansei Gakuin University 0, Hanazono, Osaka, 14:00.
Tsukuba had too much firepower for Kwansei scoring a total of 8 tries in their 54-0 win over Kwansei Gakuin.
Pool D: Takushoku University 62 d Fukuoka Kogyo University 12, Level 5, Fukuoka, 14:00.
Takushoku ran away with this result winning 62-12 outscoring Fukuoka Kogyo by a hefty 10 tries to 2.
Final Stage
Semi-finals
Wednesday 02 January 2013
National Stadium, Tokyo
Final
Sunday 13 January 2013
National Stadium, Tokyo
Wales Tour to Japan 2013
Wales will tour Japan in June 2013 with tests at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka on Saturday 8 June and the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday 15 June.
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