Congratulations RIJ Newsletter 10th Anniversary 2003-2013
The 2013-14 season in Japan is about to begin. Ian has posted the fourth of his introductions to the season by systematically providing a preview.
Ian McDonnell lives and works in Japan. He can be contacted at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp
CONTENTS
- Japan Rugby Top League 2013-14, Teams 9-12
- Autumn 2013
Top League 2013-14: Team Introductions 13-16
(13) – NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes
2013-14 Introduction: Last season (2012-13) NTT Docomo finished second to last in what was their second season in Top League. First and foremost, NTT Docomo achieved their primary objective of retaining their place in Top League when they beat Mitsubishi Dynaboars 24-21 in the promotion and relegation play-offs and the club and the players will be all the better for its as they enter their third 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 and centre Ryo Kanazawa along with the overseas players such as All Blacks centurion fullback Mils Muliaina and former Chiefs and Highlanders backrower Steven Setephano, 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 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.
2012-13 (14 teams): 13th on table on 8 points with 1 win and 12 losses. Beat Mitsubishi Dynaboars 24-21 in P&R Play-off.
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.
For 2013, the Wildcard Tournament again featured six teams, that is, the six teams that finished fifth to tenth on the final Top League table for the 2012-13 season. In the first round, eighth placed NEC Green Rockets beat ninth placed NTT Communications Shining Arcs 38-14 and seventh placed Kintetsu Liners beat tenth placed Ricoh Black Rams 43-21. In the second round the following weekend, sixth placed Yamaha Jubilo beat Kintetsu 70-12 and fifth placed Toyota Verblitz beat NEC 41-23. The two winners from the second round in Yamaha and Toyota qualified for the National Championship as the Wildcard Qualifiers.
2013 (50th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
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.
(14) Coca-Cola West Red Sparks
http://www.ccwest.co.jp/club/
2013-14 Introduction: In the 2011-12 season, in what was their sixth straight year in Top League, Coca-Cola finished last on the final Top League table and were automatically relegated back to the Top Kyushu A regional division for the following season. Last season (2012-13), the Red Sparks regrouped well to top their regional competition and qualify for the Top Challenge One series. Coca-Cola won all three games in the series beating Kubota 37-31, Mitsubishi Dynaboars 26-22 and Toyota Industries 73-49 to head the table with a maximum 15 points and thereby win promotion back to Top League for the 2013-14 season and a place in the National Championship 2013 as a bonus. Coca-Cola may be back but the challenges are going to be many if they are to be a competitive outfit. Shogo Mukai is the manager and Tomohiro Yamaguchi the head coach and they will have to get the best out of their squad led by No8 Masakazu Toyota. It also goes without saying that the overseas players in the ranks are going to play a vital role with the likes of Argentinean international lock Tomas Vallejos expected to lead from the front.
Established: Coca-Cola Rugby were established in 1966 and are based in Higashi ward in Fukuoka city in the prefecture of the same name on the island of Kyushu. In their first season they played in the B League of the Fukuoka company competition, then, throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s they played in the A and B divisions of the West Japan Company League competition with mixed success. They played in their first National Corporate Championship in 2000 and have made steady progress since. Coca-Cola won promotion to Top League for the first time in the 2006-7 season and so this is their sixth year in the top competition. The full name for the club is Coca-Cola West Red Sparks. Red is reflective of the company colour overall and also the speed with which Coke play. The spark relates to an electrical spark, but also to the spark as in sparkling Coca-Cola. The team mascot is a Superhero like character known as ‘Sparky’.
The Company: beverage maker, have a look at www.ccwh.co.jp/
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.
2012-13 (14 teams): DNP. Played in Top Kyushu A division.
2011-12 (14 teams): 14th on table on 12 points with 1 win and 13 losses. Relegated.
2010-11 (14 teams): 10th on table on 28 points with 5 wins and 8 losses.
2009-10 (14 teams): 8th on table on 31 points with 6 wins and 7 losses.
2008-9 (14 teams): 10th on table on 26 points with 6 wins and 7 losses.
2007-8 (14 teams): 9th on table on 25 points with 5 wins and 8 losses.
2006-7 (14 teams): 10th on table on 21 points with 4 wins and 9 losses.
2005-6: DNP.
2004-5: DNP.
2003-4: 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: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.
2008: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.
2007: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.
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.
For 2013, the Wildcard Tournament again featured six teams, that is, the six teams that finished fifth to tenth on the final Top League table for the 2012-13 season. In the first round, eighth placed NEC Green Rockets beat ninth placed NTT Communications Shining Arcs 38-14 and seventh placed Kintetsu Liners beat tenth placed Ricoh Black Rams 43-21. In the second round the following weekend, sixth placed Yamaha Jubilo beat Kintetsu 70-12 and fifth placed Toyota Verblitz beat NEC 41-23. The two winners from the second round in Yamaha and Toyota qualified for the National Championship as the Wildcard Qualifiers.
2013 (50th NC - 10 teams): Qualified as Top Challenger. Beat Tsukuba University 47-15 then lost to Kobe 45-29.
2012 (49th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2011 (48th NC - 10 teams): Lost to Ricoh 31-29 in Wildcard Tournament and thus DNQ.
2010 (47th NC - 10 teams): Beat Yamaha 31-17 then lost to Kobe 40-28 in Wildcard Tournament and thus DNQ.
2009 (46th NC - 10 teams): DNQ as only top 6 TL teams qualified.
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): Qualified as Top Challenger. Beat KGU 12-7 then lost to NEC 69-24.
2005 (42nd NC - 8 teams): DNQ.
2004 (41st NC - 22 teams): Qualified as regional team No.6. Beat Teikyo Uni 71-14 then lost to Waseda Uni 32-29.
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.
(15) Kubota Spears
2013-14 Introduction: In the 2010-11 season, after having played in every previous Top League season, Kubota finished second to last on the final Top League table and were automatically relegated back to the Top East regional division for the following season. In the 2011-12 season, Kubota made it through to the Top Challenge One series only to see Canon and Kyuden win promotion to Top League leaving the Spears in the regions for another year. Last season (2012-13), Kubota again made it through to the Top Challenge One series and although they were beaten 37-31 by Coca-Cola in the opening round, they went on to beat Toyota Industries 32-30 and Mitsubishi Dynaboars 40-17 to claim second place on the table and win promotion back to Top League for the expanded 2013-14 season. It is going to be anything but an easy ride for Kubota after two seasons out of Top League but with Toutai Kefu in his second year as head coach and a good balance in the squad that includes young Japan international playmaker Harumichi Tatekawa, Tongan international Kurt Morath and the former Highlanders pair of Alando Soakai and Kade Poki not to mention the blockbusting Seilala Mapusua and Sam Norton-Knight in the backline the Spears are not going to be pushovers.
Established: The Kubota rugby team was established in 1978 with its company address in central Tokyo and training facilities in nearby Funabashi city in Chiba prefecture. Kubota went through the ranks of local Kanto Company Rugby from Division 4 in 1984 before finally gaining admission to the East Japan Company League in 1998. They finished 5th that year and followed that up with 3rd, 3rd and 4th over subsequent years. In 1990, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the company, Kubota made rugby the official company sport. The full name for the team is Kubota Spears, with the image of the spear slashing through opposition defences.
The Company: Kubota is mainly known as an agricultural machinery manufacturer, producing such things as tractors, rice planters and harvesters etc. However, they are also involved in construction machinery, vending machines, pumps, water and sewage treatment equipment and cast metals. Have a look at www.kubota.co.jp and go to the English page.
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.
2012-13 (14 teams): DNP. Played in Top East.
2011-12 (14 teams): DNP. Played in Top East.
2010-11 (14 teams): 13th on table on 11 points with 1 win, 1 draw and 11 losses. Automatically relegated to Top East.
2009-10 (14 teams): 6th on table on 31 points with 6 wins and 7 losses.
2008-9 (14 teams): 6th on table on 37 points with 8 wins and 5 losses.
2007-8 (14 teams): 8th on table on 26 points with 5 wins and 8 losses.
2006-7 (14 teams): 8th on table on 30 points with 5 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses.
2005-6 (12 teams): 8th on table on 23 points with 4 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses.
2004-5 (12 teams): 6th on table on 27 points with 5 wins and 6 losses.
2003-4 (12 teams): 8th on table on 22 points with 4 wins and 7 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: DNQ.
2008: DNQ.
2007: DNQ.
2006: Beat Sanyo 40-24 in first round. Knocked out by Suntory 44-25 in SFs.
2005: Knocked out in first round by Yamaha 38-33.
2004: Knocked out by Sanyo 32-39 in first round.
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.
For 2013, the Wildcard Tournament again featured six teams, that is, the six teams that finished fifth to tenth on the final Top League table for the 2012-13 season. In the first round, eighth placed NEC Green Rockets beat ninth placed NTT Communications Shining Arcs 38-14 and seventh placed Kintetsu Liners beat tenth placed Ricoh Black Rams 43-21. In the second round the following weekend, sixth placed Yamaha Jubilo beat Kintetsu 70-12 and fifth placed Toyota Verblitz beat NEC 41-23. The two winners from the second round in Yamaha and Toyota qualified for the National Championship as the Wildcard Qualifiers.
2013 (50th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2012 (49th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2011 (48th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2010 (47th NC - 10 teams): Lost to NEC 22-21 in Wildcard Tournament and thus DNQ.
2009 (46th NC - 10 teams): Knocked out in first round by Suntory 62-17.
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): Beat IBM 32-14, but then lost to Kobe 52-12.
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.
(16) Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles
http://www.toyota-shokki.co.
2013-14 Introduction: In the 2010-11 season, Toyota Industries played their one and only season to date in Top League where they finished last on the final Top League table and were automatically relegated back to the Top West regional division for the following season. They remained in the regions for two seasons and then became the first team ever to win promotion to Top League through the Promotion and Relegation Play-offs when they beat Fukuoka Sanix Blues 34-28 at the Level Five Stadium in Fukuoka on Sunday, 03 February 2013. The Shuttles are well short on Top League experience in the squad and as a result much will rely on the overseas players to lead from the front. In the pack, Hong Kong international flanker Mark Wright is in his fourth season with the team while Springbok Ryan Kankowski joins this year from the Sharks. In the backs, veteran journeyman Shotaro Onishi moved across from Kintetsu in the off-season while Mark Gerrard is back in Japan to stiffen up the Shuttles backline.
Established: Toyota Jido Shokki won promotion to Top League for the first time for the 2010-11 season and consequently have taken on a team name and logo for the first time. Toyota Jido Shokki rugby was founded in 1984 and for the 2010-11 season the team has chosen the name Shuttles as a reflection on its roots and the shuttles used in material looms. The Shuttles also has the image of bringing together the players to create a unified force.
The Company: Toyota Industries Corporation as Toyota Jido Shokki is known in English is part of the Toyota Group and is a major Japanese machine maker. The company was founded in 1924 and was originally known as Toyoda Automatic Loom Works Limited as a manufacturer of automatic looms and it is the company from which the Toyota Motor Corporation developed. Have a look at the company English webpage at http://toyota-industries.com/
Titles:
Top League – none.
From the 2003-4 season to the 2005-6 season, Top League consisted of 12 teams and the team that finished on top of the table claimed the title. In the 2006-7 season, Top League was increased to 14 teams with the top four finishers on the ladder progressing to the Microsoft Cup, the play-off series to determine the overall Top League champion. From the 2009-10 season, the Microsoft company did not renew their naming rights sponsorship and so the finals series became known as the Top League Play-off Tournament.
2012-13 (14 teams): DNP. Played in Top West.
2011-12 (14 teams): DNP. Played in Top West.
2010-11 (14 teams): 14th on table on 11 points with 1 win and 12 losses. Automatically relegated to Top West.
2009-10: (14 teams): DNP. Won Top West A League undefeated with 8 wins.
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.
For 2013, the Wildcard Tournament again featured six teams, that is, the six teams that finished fifth to tenth on the final Top League table for the 2012-13 season. In the first round, eighth placed NEC Green Rockets beat ninth placed NTT Communications Shining Arcs 38-14 and seventh placed Kintetsu Liners beat tenth placed Ricoh Black Rams 43-21. In the second round the following weekend, sixth placed Yamaha Jubilo beat Kintetsu 70-12 and fifth placed Toyota Verblitz beat NEC 41-23. The two winners from the second round in Yamaha and Toyota qualified for the National Championship as the Wildcard Qualifiers.
2013 (50th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2012 (49th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2011 (48th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2010 (47th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2009 (46th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.
2008 (45th NC - 8 teams): DNQ.
2007 (44th NC - 8 teams): DNQ.
2006 (43rd NC - 8 teams): DNQ.
2005 (42nd NC - 8 teams): DNQ.
2004 (41st NC - 22 teams): Beat Doshisha University 71-24, then lost to IBM 50-14.
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.
Autumn 2013
Japan v New Zealand
Date: Saturday, 02 November 2013.
Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.
Kick-off: TBC.
On 12 July 2013, the Japan Rugby Football Union announced that New Zealand would tour Japan in November 2013 playing one test against Japan at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday, 02 November 2013. The JRFU and the New Zealand Rugby Union have agreed that this game will have full test match status with caps awarded accordingly on both sides.
JRFU chairman Tatsuzo Yabe made the following comment, “Both the JRFU and the NZRU have agreed that this game will have full test match status. Japan hopes to break into the world top ten by Rugby World Cup 2015 and in order to achieve this goal it is essential that we play against the strongest sides in the world. This year, Japan will play four tests against tier one unions in a single year for the first time and it is important we are competitive. Further, having the All Blacks play in Japan at this time will also help promote RWC 2019 to be hosted by Japan. Beating Wales and finishing the spring international season with three wins in a row has had a big impact on Japanese rugby and to host the All Blacks at a packed Chichibu stadium in November will continue this trend.”
Head coach Eddie Jones made the following comment, “For Japan to play New Zealand as the current World Cup holders and number one ranked team in the world is very fortunate. Japan does not have a good record against the All Blacks but we recently made history with the win over Wales and we want to repeat that against New Zealand. To beat the All Blacks the preparation starts now. They do not only present a physical challenge but we also have to think about how we can do things differently. If we can do that then I believe we can create another piece of history.”
The CEO of the NZRU, Steve Tew, said, “The All Blacks are very honoured to again visit Japan to take on the Japanese ‘Brave Blossoms’. Further, we hope that this test match will help support Japan in hosting RWC 2019.”
The New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen said, “We are very much looking forward to playing Japan in Tokyo in this historical test match. This test fits well with our overall strategic planning for the year in strengthening the leadership within the All Blacks while also adding to the depth in the ranks. Further, it will be a wonderful opportunity for the younger players to challenge for the chance to wear the black jersey.”
Scotland v Japan
Date: Saturday, 09 November 2013.
Venue: TBC.
Kick-off: TBC.
On 26 April 2013, the Japan Rugby Football Union announced that Japan would play Scotland on Saturday 09 November 2013 at an unconfirmed venue with a 14:30 kick-off. Scotland complete their autumn campaign with tests against South Africa on Sunday 17 and Australia on Saturday 23 November 2013 with the later two tests to be played at Murrayfield.
Tatsuzo Yabe made the following comment, “It is nine years since Japan has played Scotland in Scotland. Japan aims to break into the top ten rankings by the 2015 Rugby World Cup and it is important for us to play against strong sides in order to achieve that aim. It is also important for Japan to make a good impression on this tour in the lead up to hosting the 2019 RWC.”
Head coach Eddie Jones made the following comment, “It is a very vital step in that we could secure this test against Scotland. The last time Japan played in Scotland in November 2004 the side could not produce a good result. In our build-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup, this test against Scotland is a big challenge for us. Scotland has one of the longest rugby traditions and they play a physical kind of game. To be sure, this will be a fantastic experience for our players.”
Into the Future
With the IRB working towards re-introducing traditional long tours there will be spin-offs for Japan in the lead-up to this country hosting the 2019 RWC. Although it is not set in concrete, a bevy of tier one countries are pencilled in to tour Japan with Wales touring in 2013, Scotland in 2016, Ireland in 2017 and Italy in 2018.
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