Congratulations RIJ Newsletter 10th Anniversary 2003-2013
CONTENTS
- Top League 2013-14 Stage One Round Three
RiJ looks at round three of the 2013-14 Top League season.
Enjoy the read.
Japan Rugby Top League 2013-14
Stage One, Round Three
Pool A
| Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue | |
| Sat, 14 Sep 2013 | NEC (3Ts) | 34-33 | Suntory (5Ts) | 19:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
| Kobe (8Ts) | 48-3 | NTT Docomo | 19:00 | Nagai Stadium, Osaka | |
| Sun, 15 Sep 2013 | NTT Comm. (4Ts) | 28-26 | Toyota Industries (4Ts) | 15:00 | Miyagi Stadium, Miyagi |
| Toyota (2Ts) | 17-6 | Kyuden | 17:00 | Miyagi Stadium, Miyagi |
Pool A
| Date | Team | Score | Team | K/O | Venue |
| Fri, 13 Sep 2013 | Canon (2Ts) | 20-25 | Ricoh (2Ts) | 19:00 | Chichibu, Tokyo |
| Sat, 14 Sep 2013 | Kubota (2Ts) | 20-22 | Toshiba (3Ts) | 19:00 | Yokohama, Kanagawa |
| Yamaha (1T) | 13-13 | Panasonic (1T) | 18:00 | Iwata, Shizuoka | |
| Kintetsu (5Ts) | 34-14 | Coca-Cola (2Ts) | 17:00 | Nagai Stadium, Osaka |
Stage One, Round Three Preview
Pool A
At the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday evening, NEC Green Rockets play Suntory Sungoliath. NEC lost to Kobe 28-26 in the opening round and then recoverd to beat NTT Comm. 33-20 last Friday on this ground but they will have to step up to beat the reigning champions this week. 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 after an impressive 32-6 win over NTT Comm. in the first round followed by an emphatic 46-3 win over Toyota in Wakayama last round.
At the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers face NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. 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. The Steelers beat NEC 28-26 with a gutsy performance in the opening round and then beat Kyuden 43-14 last round and they will be looking to make it three in a row. NTT Docomo are the surprise packet of the first two rounds beating Kyuden 29-7 and then Toyota Industries 34-30 to sit alongside Suntory on top of Pool A with a maximum ten points. However, Kobe will present a more demanding challenge and this will test their mettle.
On Sunday, NTT Communications Shining Arcs play Toyota Industries Shuttles at the Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi. NTT Comm. lost 32-6 to Suntory in the opening round and then went down 33-20 to NEC so the Arcs will be gunning for their first win of the season against Toyota Industries. The Shuttles 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 after a close 21-18 loss to Toyota in the opening round they suffered another close loss to NTT Docomo going down 34-30 last weekend. The Toyota outfit may feel they are due a win but it will not come easily against the Shining Arcs.
In the second game in Miyagi, Toyota Verblitz face Kyuden Voltex. The Verblitz had a 21-18 win over Toyota Industries in their first game but were overwhelmed 46-3 by Suntory last round, so a solid performance is needed against Kyuden to restore the confidence. After two seasons in the regional Kyushu league, Kyuden won their way back into Top League last season but after losing 29-7 to NTT Docomo in the first round and then 43-14 to Kobe last weekend it is going to be important for their season that the Voltex get their first win of the new season.
Pool B
In the first game of round three at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday evening, Canon Eagles play Ricoh Black Rams. 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 after losing 10-8 to Toshiba in their first game they took the challenge to the more fancied Panasonic last round coming up with a memorable 23-18 victory. The Eagles will have to maintain that kind of form and momentum to beat Ricoh who will be targeting this game. Ricoh played out a 27-all draw with Coca-Cola in the opening round and then suffered an agonising 31-30 loss to Yamaha last week and so the Black Rams will be hell bent on bringing up their first win of the season.
In Yokohama on Saturday, Kubota Spears play Toshiba Brave Lupus. Kubota played well against Yamaha in their first game though ran out of steam in the second half allowing Jubilo to win 38-28 while last round they beat Kintetsu 22-17 in Tokyo. Toshiba, on the other hand, had a scratchy 10-8 win over Canon in week one and then upped the ante for a 45-0 win over Coca-Cola in Fukuoka last Saturday.
At the Yamaha Stadium in Shizuoka prefecture, Yamaha Jubilo play their first full home game of the season when they host Panasonic Wild Knights. 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 beat Kubota 38-28 in the opening round and then Ricoh 31-30 last week. A rampant Panasonic ran in six unanswered tries to beat Kintetsu 46-0 in the opening round but underestimated Canon last Saturday going down 23-18 in a surprise loss. The Knights cannot afford another loss this early in the season but Jubilo in front of their home fans will be tough.
At the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Kintetsu Liners play newly promoted Coca-Cola West Red Sparks. The Liners lost heavily to Panasonic in a 46-0 drubbing in the first round and although they were far more competitive against Kubota in Tokyo last round they still went down 22-17. After two rounds the Liners sit on the bottom of Pool B and need a win over Coca-Cola to push them up the table. Coca-Cola had a 27-all draw with Ricoh in the first round but against a polished Toshiba side last round they lost 45-0 and as a result sit one place above Kintetsu on the pool table.
Stage One Round Three Wrap-up
Pool A
At the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday evening, NEC Green Rockets inflicted the first loss of the season on Suntory Sungoliath with a nail-biting 34-33 win. NEC lost to Kobe in the opening round and then recoverd to beat NTT Comm. last round but they stepped up to beat the reigning champions this week. Despite the loss, Suntory are again firm favourites to defend their title and the two bonus points they take away from this defeat are also vital. Suntory scored five tries to three and although NEC suffered two yellow cards the 18-0 lead they built up in the first half got them home in the end. Suntory rebounded to hit the front in the second half but a last-minute try to Nemani Nadolo and then the successful conversion handed the Rockets the victory.
At the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers overwhelmed NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 48-3. NTT Docomo fullback Riaan Viljoen landed a first-minute penalty to have the Red Hurricanes in front 3-0 but after that it was all Kobe with the Steelers scoring eight unanswered tries to run away with the score. South African compatriot Jaque Fourie crossed for three first half tries while the remaining five-pointers were shared around with replacement back Daisuke Yamamoto finishing off the scoring with a late try and conversion. Kobe have now had three wins in a row to start the season and sit atop Pool A while NTT Docomo were brought back to ground with a thud after opening their season with two wins.
On Sunday, NTT Communications Shining Arcs beat Toyota Industries Shuttles 28-26 at the Miyagi Stadium in Miyagi. NTT Comm. lost to Suntory in the opening round and then went down to NEC so the Arcs chalked up their first win of the season against Toyota Industries. The Shuttles have now had three very close losses going down to Toyota in the opening round followed by another close loss to NTT Docomo last weekend and despite the lack of victories they have picked up valuable losing bonus points in every match. This was one of those games that could have gone either way with Toyota Industries holding onto a 21-26 lead late in proceedings only for man of the match in Todd Clever to score a late try to even things up with the conversion then tipping the result in the favour of the Arcs.
In the second game in Miyagi, Toyota Verblitz defeated Kyuden Voltex 17-6 in a low-scoring match. The Verblitz had a win over Toyota Industries in their first game but were overwhelmed by Suntory last round, and although it was not overly convincing this much-needed win against Kyuden goes a long way to restoring the confidence. Kyuden have now suffered three losses on the trot after losing to NTT Docomo in the first round and then Kobe last round and this further defeat compounds matters as they still look for their first win of the new season. Fullback Hiroki Mizuno and wing Koji Wada were the try scorers for the Verblitz.
Pool B
In the first game of round three at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Friday evening, Canon Eagles went down to Ricoh Black Rams 25-20. After pushing Toshiba all the way in their first game then beating Panasonic last round Canon were given a reality check in this close encounter with Ricoh. Ricoh played out a draw with Coca-Cola in the opening round and then suffered an agonising 31-30 loss to Yamaha last round and so the Black Rams brought up their first win of the season after both teams scored two tries apiece. It was the Ricoh kicking game that proved the difference with fullback Takuya Takahira kicking three penalties, while Daniel Peters landed a late penalty and Riki Flutey potted a drop goal.
In Yokohama on Saturday, Kubota Spears lost to Toshiba Brave Lupus 22-20. Toshiba had a scratchy win over Canon in week one and then upped the ante for a 45-0 win over Coca-Cola in Fukuoka last Saturday and so this come-from-behind victory keeps the wins coming for the Brave Lupus. Kubota led 20-7 at one point in the first half only for Toshiba to gradually work their way back into the game and grab the lead through a Cooper Vuna try inside the final five minutes of play. It was a case of what might have been for the Spears as the win was in their grasp after leading for the majority of the match but Toshiba once again proved their worth with a fortunate win.
At the Yamaha Stadium in Shizuoka prefecture, Yamaha Jubilo played their first full home game of the season when they hosted Panasonic Wild Knights but ended up with a draw when the scores were left tied 13-all at fulltime. Yamaha beat Kubota in the opening round and then Ricoh last week and a late try to No8 Kyosuke Horie converted by fullback Ayumu Goromaru saved Jubilo from their first defeat of the year. Panasonic overwhelmed Kintetsu in the opening round but underestimated Canon last Saturday going down in a surprise loss and the Knights will rue their missed opportunities against Yamaha after they were looking on course for the win.
At the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, Kintetsu Liners played and beat newly promoted Coca-Cola West Red Sparks to the tune of 34-14. The Liners lost heavily to Panasonic in the first round and although they were far more competitive against Kubota last round they still went down and this first win of the season is a big boost to the morale. Coca-Cola had a draw with Ricoh in the first round but against a polished Toshiba side they lost heavily and as a result of this loss to Kintetsu the Red Sparks drop to last on the pool table. Halfback Kim Chul-Won crossed for two first-half tries to help the Liners to a 15-0 lead at the break and although Coca-Cola got to 15-14 early in the latter half Kintetsu pulled away on the scoreboard piling on three additional tries.
Pool A
|
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Kobe | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 119 | 43 | 76 | 2 | 0 | 14 |
| 2 | Suntory | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 111 | 43 | 68 | 3 | 1 | 12 |
| 3 | NEC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 93 | 81 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| 4 | NTT Docomo | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 66 | 85 | -19 | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| 5 | Toyota | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 41 | 70 | -29 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| 6 | Toyota Industries | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 74 | 83 | -9 | 2 | 3 | 5 |
| 7 | NTT Comm. | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 54 | 91 | -37 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 8 | Kyuden | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 89 | -62 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pool B
|
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | Diff | BP1 | BP2 | Pts |
| 1 | Toshiba | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 77 | 28 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| 2 | Yamaha | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 82 | 71 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 11 |
| 3 | Panasonic | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 77 | 36 | 41 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Ricoh | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 82 | 78 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 5 | Canon | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 51 | 53 | -2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 6 | Kubota | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 70 | 77 | -7 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 7 | Kintetsu | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 51 | 82 | -31 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 8 | Coca-Cola | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 41 | 106 | -65 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
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 3, NEC five-eighth Shaun Webb heads the point scorers list with 38 points.
|
| Name | Team | T | G | PG | DG | Pts |
| 1 | Shaun Webb | NEC | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
| 2 | Ayumu Goromaru | Yamaha | 0 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 37 |
| 3 | Riaan Viljoen | NTT Docomo | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 36 |
| 4 | Daisuke Yamamoto | Kobe | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 31 |
| 4 | Takuya Takahira | Ricoh | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 31 |
| 6 | Ryan Nicholas | Suntory | 1 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| 6 | Mark Gerrard | Toyota Ind | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 28 |
| 8 | Atsushi Tanabe | Panasonic | 0 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 27 |
| 9 | Ryohei Mitomo | Canon | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 26 |
| 10 | Jaque Fourie | Kobe | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
Leading Try Scorers
At the completion of stage 1 round 3, Kobe centre Jaque Fourie heads the try scorers list with 5 tries.
|
| Name | Team | Tries |
| 1 | Jaque Fourie | Kobe | 5 |
| 2 | Riaan Viljoen | NTT Docomo | 3 |
| 2 | Kenji Shomen | Kobe | 3 |
| 2 | Ryan Kankowski | Toyota Ind | 3 |
| 2 | Kohei Kawaguchi | Coca-Cola | 3 |
| 6 | Shindo Kamaike | NEC | 2 |
| 6 | Hirotoki Onozawa | Suntory | 2 |
| 6 | Rikiya Asami | Toyota Ind | 2 |
| 6 | Nicholas Ealey | Panasonic | 2 |
| 6 | Shota Tanaka | Yamaha | 2 |
Stage 1, Round 3 Man-of-the-match Awards
| Pool | Teams | Score | Teams | Ground | MOTM | |
| Fri 13 Sep 2013 | B | Canon | 20-25 | Ricoh | Chichibu, Tokyo | Masahiro Noguchi, |
| Ricoh No.8 | ||||||
| Sat 14 Sep 2013 | B | Kubota | 20-22 | Toshiba | Mitsuzawa Stadium, Kanagawa | Harumichi Tatekawa, |
| Kubota No.10 | ||||||
| A | NEC | 34-33 | Suntory | Chichibu, Tokyo | Yu Tamura, | |
| NEC No.12 | ||||||
| B | Yamaha | 13-13 | Panasonic | Iwata, Shizuoka | Kyosuke Horie, | |
| Yamaha No.8 | ||||||
| B | Kintetsu | 34-14 | Coca-Cola | Nagai Stadium, Osaka | Yasumasa Shigemitsu, | |
| Kintetsu No.10 | ||||||
| A | Kobe | 48-3 | NTT Docomo | Nagai Stadium, Osaka | Jaque Fourie, | |
| Kobe No.13 | ||||||
| Sun 15 Sep 2013 | A | NTT Comm. | 28-26 | Toyota Industries | Miyagi Stadium, Miyagi | Todd Clever, |
| NTT Comm. No.20 | ||||||
| A | Toyota | 17-Jun | Kyuden | Miyagi Stadium, Miyagi | Hiroki Mizuno, | |
| Toyota No.15 |
Ian Mcdonnell can be contacted at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp
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