Congratulations RIJ Newsletter 10th Anniversary 2003-2013
RiJ looks at the opening round of the 2013-14 Top League season.
Enjoy the read.
- Changes for Japan Rugby Top League 2013-14
- Top League 2013-14 Stage One Round One
Japan Rugby Top League 2013-14
Changes for the 2013-14 Season
Man-of-the-Match Awards
Previously the Man-of-the-Match Award for every game in the Japan Rugby Top League competition was given to a player from the winning side with no award in the case of a draw. However, from the 2013-14 season, the Man-of-the-Match Award is open to players from both the winning or losing sides or either side in the case of a draw.
Match-day Squads
In November 2012, the IRB allowed an increase in the number of reserves from seven players to eight players for international matches increasing the match-day squads for teams from twenty-two to twenty-three players.
In keeping with international standards, on an experimental basis for the 2013-14 season, the Japan Rugby Top League has decided to increase the number of reserves from seven players to eight players thus increasing the match-day squads for teams from twenty-two to twenty-three players.
Japan Rugby Top League 2013-14
Stage One Round One
Pool A
| Date | Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue |
| Fri, 30 Aug 2013 | Suntory (5Ts) | 32-6 | NTT Comm. | 19:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
| Sat, 31 Aug 2013 | Kobe (3Ts) | 28-26 | NEC (2Ts) | 18:00 | Kobe, Hyogo |
| Sun, 01 Sep 2013 | NTT Docomo (5Ts) | 29-7 | Kyuden (1T) | 17:00 | Toyota, Aichi |
|
| Toyota (2Ts) | 21-18 | Toyota Industries (2Ts) | 19:00 | Toyota, Aichi |
Pool B
| Date | Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue |
| Sat, 31 Aug 2013 | Ricoh (4Ts) | 27-27 | Coca-Cola (5Ts) | 17:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| Toshiba (2Ts) | 10-8 | Canon (1) | 19:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
|
| Yamaha (5Ts) | 38-28 | Kubota (4Ts) | 17:00 | Kincho, Osaka |
|
| Kintetsu | 0-46 | Panasonic (6Ts) | 19:00 | Kincho, Osaka |
Stage One Round One Preview
Pool A
In the opening game of the season at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday evening, defending champions Suntory Sungoliath play NTT Communications Shining Arcs. After taking the Top League title the last two years in a row, Suntory are again shaping up as firm favourites to defend their title with all the right forces in place within the club. On the other hand, NTT Comm. are making steady progress in what is their fourth season in Top League and they will be looking to improve on their ninth place finish from last season starting with a win over the champions.
On Saturday in Kobe, Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers play NEC Green Rockets. Kobe had their best season last year since taking the inaugural Top League title way back in 2003-4 when they finished fourth on the table and made it to the final of the National Championship. The Steelers will be looking to pick up where they left off last season but they will have to hit the ground running against NEC. The Green Rockets had an up and down season last year after making the play-offs for the first time the previous season and they will have a lot to prove in Pool A.
In the first game of a double header at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi on Sunday, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes face Kyuden Voltex. NTT Docomo kept their place in Top League for the third season in a row when they beat Mitsubishi Dynaboars in the promotion and relegation play-offs at the end of last season and they will be looking to draw first blood against Kyuden. After two seasons in the regional Kyushu league, Kyuden won their way back into Top League to finish twelfth in the fourteen-team competition. It is going to be important for their confidence that Kyuden open their new season with a win.
In the second game, it is an all-Toyota affair with the more fancied Toyota Verblitz facing Toyota Industries Shuttles. Toyota managed a fifth place finish last year but had a few things gone their way they could have made the play-offs. However, that is all water under the bridge now as the Verblitz look to get back on the top shelf this season. Toyota Industries had their one and only season in Top League back in 2010-11 where they finished last on the table and were relegated. Nevertheless it has been a lot of pain for a lot of gain for the determined Shuttles and they will throw the gauntlet down to their neighbours.
Pool B
In the first game of a double header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday, Ricoh Black Rams face newly promoted Coca-Cola West Red Sparks. Ricoh dropped to tenth last season after finishing seventh the two season before that, so the Rams will be aiming to make amends this year starting with a win over Coca-Cola. After six straight seasons in Top League Coca-Cola finished last in 2011-12 and were automatically relegated. However, the Red Sparks regrouped and fought their way back into Top League with some impressive form in the regional league and Ricoh will not want to take this side lightly.
In the second game in Tokyo, Toshiba Brave Lupus play Canon Eagles. Toshiba have been one of the most consistent and also most successful sides in Top League down through the year and this year look to be no exception. The Brave Lupus were runners-up last season losing to Suntory in the final and they will be aiming to get their new season off to a winning start. On the other hand, although Canon are only in their second season in Top League but this bright and enthusiastic team has nothing to lose week in week out and they will take the challenge to their western Tokyo neighbours.
In one of two games at the Kincho Stadium in Osaka, Yamaha Jubilo play newly promoted Kubota Spears. Yamaha had their best season for a number of years last year when they finished sixth on the table and with the surety of the goal kicking of Japan international fullback Ayumu Goromaru to rely on Jubilo will be looking to welcome Kubota back to the big time with a win. Kubota were one of the original teams in Top League playing the first eight seasons before having a bad year in 2010-11 when they were relegated. They were forced to play two seasons in the regions, but with Toutai Kefu now head coach of a revitalised Spears outfit they will be looking to start with a win of their own.
In the second game in Osaka, Kintetsu Liners are in their home town to play Panasonic Wild Knights. Kintetsu have had good mid table finishes the past few seasons and are now ready to take the next step and threaten top sides like Panasonic. Playing locally will help their cause against one of the best sides in the league. Panasonic finished third last year and with the acquisition of Michael Hobbs, Berrick Barnes and JP Pietersen opposition sides will not want to give the Wild Knights space out wide.
Stage One Round One Wrap-up
Pool A
In the opening game of the season at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday evening, defending champions Suntory Sungoliath beat NTT Communications Shining Arcs 32-6. After taking the Top League title the last two years in a row, Suntory are again shaping up as firm favourites to defend their title with this five tries to none win over the Arcs to open the new season. Left wing Hirotoki Onozawa is coming back from leg injuries sustained in the spring international season and he picked up two five-pointers for his efforts. On the other hand, five-eighth Yuki Kawamoto scored all the points for NTT Comm. with two penalties. To put the icing on the cake, centre Ryan Nicholas became the first player to notch up one thousand Top League points, finishing the game with 1,007 points.
On Saturday in Kobe, Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers came from behind to beat NEC Green Rockets 28-26. Kobe had their best season last year since taking the inaugural Top League title way back in 2003-4 when they finished fourth on the table and made it to the final of the National Championship and picked up where they left off last season with this gutsy win against NEC. The Green Rockets led 26-21 late in the game but a try to Fraser Anderson sealed the win for Kobe.
In the first game of a double header at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi on Sunday, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes beat Kyuden Voltex 29-7. NTT Docomo kept their place in Top League for the third season in a row when they beat Mitsubishi Dynaboars in the promotion and relegation play-offs at the end of last season and they drew first blood against Kyuden with this five tries to one win. It was an impressive win for the Osaka-based side with veteran No8 in the form of former Japan captain Takuro Miuchi named man of the match.
In the second game, it was an all-Toyota affair with the more fancied Toyota Verblitz facing Toyota Industries Shuttles. Toyota managed a fifth place finish last year but had a few things gone their way they could have made the play-offs. However, that is all water under the bridge now as the Verblitz look to get back on the top shelf this season but Toyota Industries pushed their neighbours all the way eventually losing 21-18. The Shuttles led 18-6 at one stage in the second half but the Verblitz powered home with a late penalty to Yusuke Kuromiya getting them the win.
Pool B
In the first game of a double header at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday, Ricoh Black Rams drew 27-all with newly promoted Coca-Cola West Red Sparks. Ricoh dropped to tenth last season after finishing seventh the two season before that, so the Rams will be aiming to make amends this year starting with a win over Coca-Cola. However, after leading 17-5 at halftime, Ricoh could not go on with the good start allowing Coca-Cola back into the match. It took a last minute penalty from Peter Daniels for the Rams to salvage the draw.
In the second game in Tokyo, Toshiba Brave Lupus scrambled home 10-8 against Canon Eagles. Toshiba have been one of the most consistent and also most successful sides in Top League down through the year and this year look to be no exception, but they were given a big scare by the Eagles. Although Canon are only in their second season in Top League this bright and enthusiastic team has nothing to lose week in week out and they took the challenge to their western Tokyo neighbours. A try to Rocky Havili with ten minutes to go gave Canon a chance for an upset but the missed conversion from centre Ryohei Mitomo proved the difference. It was also a day to remember for Toshiba wing Toshiaki Hirose who played his 100th Top League game.
In one of two games at the Kincho Stadium in Osaka, Yamaha Jubilo beat newly promoted Kubota Spears 38-8. Yamaha had their best season for a number of years last year when they finished sixth on the table and with the surety of the goal kicking of Japan international fullback Ayumu Goromaru to rely on Jubilo welcomed Kubota back to the big time with this hard-fought five tries to four win. Kubota led 21-20 at the break but Jubilo dominated the second period gradually pulling away on the scoreboard.
In the second game in Osaka, Kintetsu Liners were in their home town to play Panasonic Wild Knights but it was not enough to stop a rampant Panasonic who ran in six unanswered tries to win 46-0. Panasonic finished third last year and with the acquisition of Michael Hobbs, Berrick Barnes and JP Pietersen opposition sides will not want to give the Wild Knights space out wide. That proved to be the case in this match with nearly all the tries being scored by the flyers including Pietersen and starting wings Akihito Yamada and Tomoki Kitagawa.
Pool A
|
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Suntory | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 6 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | NTT Docomo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 7 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Toyota | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Kobe | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | NEC | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 26 | 28 | -2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 6 | Toyota Industries | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 21 | -3 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Kyuden | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 29 | -22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | NTT Comm. | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 32 | -26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pool B
|
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Panasonic | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 0 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Yamaha | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 28 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 3 | Toshiba | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 | Ricoh | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 4 | Coca-Cola | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | Canon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 7 | Kubota | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 28 | 38 | -10 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Kintetsu | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | -46 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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 stage 1 round 1, three players head the point scorers list with 16 points.
|
| Name | Team | T | G | PG | DG | Pts |
| 1 | Shaun Webb | NEC | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 16 |
| 1 | Atsushi Tanabe | Panasonic | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 16 |
| 1 | Gintaro Takahashi | Kubota | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| 4 | Ayumu Goromaru | Yamaha | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| 4 | Daisuke Yamamoto | Kobe | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
| 6 | Ryan Nicholas | Suntory | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| 7 | Shindo Kamaike | NEC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 7 | Kohei Kawaguchi | Coca-Cola | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 7 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Suntory | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 7 | Rikiya Asami | Toyota Ind | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 7 | Nicholas Ealey | Panasonic | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| 7 | Shota Tanaka | Yamaha | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Leading Try Scorers
At the completion of stage 1 round 1, six players head the try scorers list with 2 tries.
|
| Name | Team | Tries |
| 1 | Shindo Kamaike | NEC | 2 |
| 1 | Kohei Kawaguchi | Coca-Cola | 2 |
| 1 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Suntory | 2 |
| 1 | Rikiya Asami | Toyota Ind | 2 |
| 1 | Nicholas Ealey | Panasonic | 2 |
| 1 | Shota Tanaka | Yamaha | 2 |
Stage 1, Round 1 Man-of-the-match Awards
| Date | Pool | Teams | Score | Teams | Ground | MOTM |
| Fri 30 Aug 2013 | A | Suntory | 32-6 | NTT Comm. | Chichibu, Tokyo | Fourie du Preez, Suntory No.9 |
| Sat 31 Aug 2013 | B | Ricoh | 27-27 | Coca-Cola | Chichibu, Tokyo | Kohei Kawaguchi, Coca-Cola No.15 |
|
| B | Toshiba | 10-8 | Canon | Chichibu, Tokyo | Taku Wada, Canon No.14 |
|
| B | Yamaha | 38-28 | Kubota | Kincho, Osaka | Yuya Odo, Yamaha No.4 |
|
| B | Kintetsu | 0-46 | Panasonic | Kincho, Osaka | Tadasuke Nishihara, Panasonic No.6 |
|
| A | Kobe | 28-26 | NEC | Kobe, Hyogo | Daisuke Yamamoto, Kobe No.10 |
| Sun 01 Sep 2013 | A | NTT Docomo | 29-7 | Kyuden | Toyota, Aichi | Takuro Miuchi, NTT Docomo No.8 |
|
| A | Toyota | 21-18 | Toyota Industries | Toyota, Aichi | Rikiya Asami, Toyota Ind No.14 |
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