RUGBY IN JAPAN NEWSLETTER Vol.10, No.47

Congratulations RIJ Newsletter 10th Anniversary 2003-2013

RiJ brings the reader the full report on the Japan win over Russia with Akihito Yamada on debut while Yamaha is the next TL profile.

Enjoy the read.

CONTENTS

• Japan v Russia
• Japan v Gloucester
• Japan Top League-Window month-no games
• Japan Rugby Top League Team Profiles 2013-14 (6) Yamaha Motor Co. Jubilo.
• University Rugby 2013

Japan 40 d Russia 13

Japan 40 – Tries: Male Sau 2, Hendrik Tui, Michael Broadhurst and Toshiaki Hirose; Conversions: Ayumu Goromaru 3; Penalties: Ayumu Goromaru 3 d.

Russia 13 – Try: Vladimir Ostroushko; Conversion: Ramil Gaysin; Penalties: Ramil Gaysin 2.

Competition: Japan Tour to Europe 2013.
Date: Friday, 15 November 2013.
Venue: Eirias Park Stadium, Colwyn Bay, North Wales.
Japan Test Number: 295.
Japan Game Number: TBC.
Kick-off: 19:30 local time/GMT/UTC (Saturday 16 November, 04:30 JST).

Referee: Luke Pearce (England) (2^nd test). Assistant Referees: Rhys Thomas (Wales) and Andy Davies (Wales). TMO: No TMO.

Conditions: Daily forecast 6-11 degrees Celsius, sunny partly cloudy. Pitch well grassed and firm.

Attendance: 1,250.
Halftime: Russia 13 – Japan 13.
Yellow Card: Vasily Artemyev (Russia No.14, 6 min 2H, repeated infringements).

Head-to-head Encounters:

Japan and Russia have met on five occasions dating back to 2002. Japan have won four and Russia one.

The highest scoring win for Japan was 75-3 in Tokyo in November 2010, while the biggest winning margin was 72 points in the same test. The longest winning sequence for Japan is two wins in a row between 2004 and 2010.

The highest scoring win for Russia was 43-34 in Tokyo in May 2003, while the biggest winning margin was 9 points in the same test. The longest winning sequence for Russia is one win in a row between in 2003.

Four of the five tests have been played in Japan while the other test was played on neutral territory in Wales. Japan and Russia have not met at the Rugby World Cup finals.

Official test results for Japan against Russia

No.	Date	Result (Home – Away)	Venue	Tournament	Japan Test No.	W/D/L (For Japan)
5	15 Nov 2013	Japan 40 – Russia 13	Colwyn Bay, Wales		295	Won
4	06 Nov 2010	Japan 75 – Russia 3	Chichibu, Tokyo		260	Won
3	27 May 2004	Japan 28 – Russia 12	National Stadium, Tokyo	2nd SPC	194	Won
2	25 May 2003	Japan 34 – Russia 43	Chichibu, Tokyo	1st SPC	183	Lost
1	19 May 2002	Japan 59 – Russia 19	National Stadium, Tokyo		175	Won

SPC = Super Powers Cup

Japan (IRB rank 14 (71.68), at 11 November 2013)

Pos.	Name (Test Player Number)	Club	DOB	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Masataka MIKAMI (TBC)	Toshiba Brave Lupus	04/06/1988	25	178/115	12
2	Shota HORIE (530)	Panasonic Wild Knights	21/01/1986	27	180/105	26
3	Kensuke HATAKEYAMA (515)	Suntory Sungoliath	02/08/1985	28	178/115	49
4	Hitoshi ONO (445)	Toshiba Brave Lupus	06/05/1978	35	192/106	76
5	Luke THOMPSON (493)	Kintetsu Liners	16/04/1981	32	196/108	42
6	Hendrik TUI (565)	Suntory Sungoliath	13/12/1987	25	189/107	17
7	Michael BROADHURST (566)	Ricoh Black Rams	30/10/1986	27	196/111	15
8	Ryu Koliniasi HOLANI (512)	Panasonic Wild Knights	25/10/1981	32	188/112	28
9	Fumiaki TANAKA (510)	Panasonic Wild Knights	03/01/1985	28	166/71	40
10	Kosei ONO (492)	Suntory Sungoliath	17/04/1987	26	171/83	21
11	Yoshikazu FUJITA (562)	Waseda University	08/09/1993	20	184/90	12
12	Yu TAMURA (555)	NEC Green Rockets	09/01/1989	24	181/92	16
13	Male SAU (TBC)	Yamaha Jubilo	13/10/1987	26	183/97	12
14	Toshiaki HIROSE (c) (495)	Toshiba Brave Lupus	17/10/1981	32	173/82	18
15	Ayumu GOROMARU (467)	Yamaha Jubilo	01/03/1986	27	185/99	32
16	Hiroki YUHARA (537)	Toshiba Brave Lupus	21/01/1984	29	173/102	12
17	Hisateru HIRASHIMA (514)	Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers	15/01/1983	30	180/110	28
18	Hiroshi YAMASHITA (523)	Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers	01/01/1986	27	183/122	28
19	Shinya MAKABE (533)	Suntory Sungoliath	26/03/1987	26	192/118	19
20	Justin IVES (544)	Canon Eagles	24/05/1984	29	196/105	15
21	Atsushi HIWASA (545)	Suntory Sungoliath	22/05/1987	26	166/72	29
22	Seiichi SHIMOMURA (454)	Panasonic Wild Knights	20/09/1981	32	175/87	5
23	Akihito YAMADA (TBC)	Panasonic Wild Knights	26/07/1985	28	181/90	1

Acting Head Coach: Scott Wisemantel (AUS).

Subs
16 subbed 2, 35 min 2H.
17 subbed 1, 27 min 2H.
18 subbed 3, 20 min 2H.
19 subbed 4, 10 min 2H.
20 subbed 8, 19 min 2H.
21 subbed 9, 23 min 2H.
22 subbed 12, 27 min 2H.
23 subbed 11, 28 min 2H.

NB: The IRB announced a number of global law amendment trials to start on 1 September 2012 in the northern hemisphere and 1 January in the southern hemisphere. One of these amendments is to permit international teams to nominate up to eight replacements.

Russia (IRB rank 19 (61.99), at 11 November 2013)

Pos.	Name (Test Player Number)	Club	DOB	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Grigory TSNOBILADZE	Krasny Yar	02/01/1983	30	N/A	9
2	Valeriy TSNOBILADZE	Yenisey-STM	03/11/1980	33	178/105	21
3	Evgeny PRONENKO	Yenisey-STM	06/07/1984	29	183/122	34
4	Alexander VOYTOV (c)	VVA-Podmoskovye	07/12/1981	31	198/110	62
5	Andrey GARBUZOV	Krasny Yar	07/08/1983	30	193/113	50
6	Alexander KHUDYAKOV	Krasny Yar	26/09/1989	24	190/105	4
7	Pavel BUTENKO	Yenisey-STM	11/05/1987	26	192/100	16
8	Victor GRESEV	Krasny Yar	31/03/1986	27	185/105	54
9	Anton RYABOV	Krasny Yar	04/04/1989	24	177/82	12
10	Sergey SUGROBOV	Slava Moscow	15/02/1983	30	179/81	19
11	Vladimir OSTROUSHKO	RC Kuban	30/09/1986	27	184/94	29
12	Alexey MAKOVETSKIY	Krasny Yar	27/03/1983	30	178/98	33
13	Dmitry GERASIMOV	Yenisey-STM	16/04/1988	25	185/92	20
14	Vasily ARTEMYEV	Northampton Saints (ENG)	24/07/1987	26	180/89	38
15	Ramil GAYSIN	Yenisey-STM	26/07/1991	22	177/81	2
16	Vladislav KORSHUNOV	VVA-Podmoskovye	13/03/1983	30	184/105	62
17	Sergey SEKISOV	Strela Kazan	19/11/1986	26	178/103	(2)
18	Innokentiy ZYKOV	Yenisey-STM	25/05/1981	32	195/120	14
19	Denis ANTONOV	Slava Moscow	17/09/1986	27	199/123	17
20	Artem FATAKHOV	Strela Kazan	08/09/1979	34	191/101	59
21	Alexey SHCHERBAN	Yenisey-STM	17/11/1990	22	172/72	12
22	Igor GALINOVSKIY	Krasny Yar	08/11/1985	28	180/90	21
23	Denis SIMPLIKEVICH	Yenisey-STM	11/03/1991	22	192/100	7

Head Coach: Kingsley Jones (Wales).

Subs
16 subbed 2, 6 min 2H.
17 not used.
18 subbed 3, 5 min 2H.
19 subbed 4, 20 min 2H.
20 subbed 5, 18 min 2H.
21 subbed 12, 37 min 2H.
22 subbed 13, 22 min 2H.
23 subbed 15, 25 min 2H.

Preview

Japan and Russia will meet for the fifth time overall and the first time on neutral territory when they face off at the Eirias Park Stadium, Colwyn Bay, North Wales in an evening game on Friday, 15 November 2013. All four previous encounter were played in Tokyo dating back to 2002 with Japan winning three and Russia one.

The most recent clash was played out at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo in November 2010 with Japan running up a record score when they overwhelmed their visitors 75-3. Japan stormed in eleven unanswered tries and at the time then head coach John Kirwan had one eye firmly fixed on Rugby World Cup 2011.

The first test match between these two nations was played at the National Stadium in Tokyo in May 2002 with the hosts winning comprehensively 59-19. Twelve months later at the adjacent Chichibu ground the tables were turned with Russia going home with the spoils 43-34 in what was the inaugural running of the Super Powers Cup. This new cup originally had China, Japan, Russia and the USA slated to take part in the one tournament but the outbreak of SARS and perhaps a case of bad timing for such a tournament saw it only last three years. In the third encounter in a mid-week test back at the National Stadium in May 2004, Japan beat Russia 28-12 before then going on to beat Canada 34-21 in the Super Powers Cup final the following weekend.

Japan have since had a change of change with former Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones taking over in early 2012. However, Jones suffered a mild stroke recently and Scott Wisemantel is standing in an interim head coach with Jones expected to be back on board for the HSBC Asian Five Nations series next spring.

Under Wisemantel, Japan have put in highly spirited performances this month against the All Blacks in Tokyo and Scotland at Murrayfield and although they lost on both occasions, 54-6 and 42-17 respectively, the victors were not without respect for this Japan side that continues to improve and impress on the world stage after beating Wales in Japan in the early summer.

In the Japan side, Masataka Mikami, Shota Horie and Kensuke Hatakeyama will form the front row for the third test this autumn while in the second row Hitoshi Ono will run out for his seventy-sixth cap as the most capped player in this team alongside Luke Thompson. There is further stability in the back row department with Hendrix Tui on the blindside, Michael Broadhurst on the open side and Koliniasi Ryu Holani as No8 also playing every test in November.

In the backs, Fumiaki Tanaka will start at halfback with Kosei Ono at five-eighth, while in the centres, Yu Tamura will join Male Sau with Craig Wing dropping out. On the left wing, Yoshikazu Fujita gets his first start in the autumn tests at the expense of Kenki Fukuoka who started in the No.11 jersey against the All Blacks and also Scotland while Toshiaki Hirose will captain the side from the right wing with goal-kicking fullback Ayumu Goromaru is in his preferred position.

On the bench, there are a number of changes with hooker Hiroki Yuhara being rushed over from Japan to replace the injured Yusuke Aoki on tour taking his place on the bench. Loosehead prop Hisateru Hirashima is on the bench and will look to play his first test since Rugby World Cup 2011 and he will be joined by Kobe team mate in tighthead Hiroshi Yamashita. Shinya Makabe is the spare lock while Justin Ives from the Canon Eagles has played his way into the reserves with a strong showing against Gloucester mid-week. Like Makabe, Ives is normally a lock but after starting at No.6 against the cherry and whites he gives the selectors options in place of Takashi Kikutani who drops out of the XXIII. Atsushi Hiwasa is the reserve halfback while the Panasonic pair of centre Seiichi Shimomura and wing Akihito Yamada deserve their places on the bench with the latter to make his international debut if called upon.

At the team announcement, acting head coach Scott Wisemantel said, “We have chosen out strongest squad for this test. Wing Yoshikazu Fujita is in the starting line-up for the first time this autumn and he has the potential to establish a spot as Japan representative. Akihito Yamada also earns his place on the bench after touring Europe last year and on the back of his strong performances in Top League.”

Captain Toshiaki Hirose said, “This is our third game in a week in what has been a tough schedule but it also gives us the opportunity to develop as a squad. Through the games against Scotland and then Gloucester our attack has started to take some shape and we want to score tries in beating Russia.”

Yoshikazu Fujita, in the starting line-up for the first time this autumn noted, “Although we had chances against Gloucester we could not turn them into points. For me personally, I feel it is a great privilege to be in the starting side for Russia. I really want to put my best foot forward and make the most of this opportunity.”

Akihito Yamada, who will make his test debut if called from the bench commented, “I really want to thank all the guys in the squad for this chance to represent Japan. I would also like to thank my parents, fans and club team mates for all their support. I now want to put all my focus on tomorrow’s game and given the chance help produce out first win on tour.”

Wrap

Russia were decked out in an all-red strip with Japan playing in their alternative strip of dark blue jerseys, white shorts and socks in the fifth meeting between the two countries at the Eirias Park Stadium, Colwyn Bay, North Wales in an evening game on Friday, 15 November 2013.

The Russia fullback Ramil Gaysin kicked off in their first test of the autumn in what was considered an under-cooked side. Japan took the kick-off cleanly and immediately went on the offensive with ball in hand.

The speed of the ball had the Russian defence on the back foot in the early exchanges drawing a breakdown penalty in the third minute with fullback Ayumu Goromaru slotting the kick for first points.

Russia fed the first scrum following a knock-on from the kick off giving the Bears their first foray into Japanese territory. However, a knock-on several phases latter allowed Japan to clear their territory from what then became their first scrum.

Japan re-gained possession and kept up the pressure in attack with quick re-cycled ball while at the set pieces Japan were also showing their worth with lineout steals and tighthead scrum wins. However, well against the run of play, the Russian defence charged down a Kosei Ono kick in the twelfth minute that was then toed through for Vladimir Ostroushko to score under the posts with the Ramil Gaysin conversion making it 7-3.

Japan were unfazed though and struck back immediately with flanker Hendrik Tui latching onto the back of a rolling maul from a lineout that rumbled over the Russian try line for the first Japanese try of the test in the fourteenth minute. Goromaru added the extras to restore the Japanese lead to the tune of 10-7.

In the nineteenth minute, Russian Gaysin tied things up at 10-all with his first penalty in an indication that Russia were well in the game after Japan dominated proceedings over the opening ten minutes. A string of penalties from ill-discipline issues kept the momentum going for Russia with Gaysin potting a further penalty in the twenty-fourth minute to push his side ahead 13-10.

With the see-saw game continuing, an off-side penalty against Russia in the twenty-eighth minute in a handy kicking position enabled Goromaru to once again level the scores at 13-all.

The lack of finesse and clinical finishing in attack was hurting Japan and keeping Russia in touch on the scoreboard with forced passes in clear try-scoring positions going to ground on a number of occasions. After the first half an hour Japan should really have been well ahead but the scores were all locked up. However, in the shadows of halftime, Japan turned down a penalty in front of the Russian posts for a scrum with the defence holding and eventually turning over the ball to be cleared down field. This gave Japan one more chance to attack inside the Russian half that was then brought undone when the ball was put to ground taking the teams to the break on even terms at 13-all.

Japan kicked off the second half and after regaining possession applied pressure in attack in the same way they started the first half. Japan again turned down a kickable penalty for a lineout that paid off handsomely with flanker Michael Broadhurst picking and driving over the whitewash for the second Japanese try in the second minute of the half. Goromaru slotted the conversion to have Japan out in front 20-13 and with their tails up they were starting to take control.

In the sixth minute, English referee Luke Pearce sent Russian right wing Vasily Artemyev to the sinbin after numerous team warning reducing the Bears to fourteen men for ten minutes against a Japanese side that were now running from everywhere. From the yellow-card penalty Goromaru stretched the lead to ten points with his third successful penalty of the evening.

Japan were now getting across the advantage line at will and with the control much improved and the passes sticking Russia were under real pressure. Japan turned this pressure into more points with centre Male Sau breaking the line and doing it all himself to run in the third Japanese try to push it out to 28-13. Sau followed this up in the seventeenth minute bringing up his double with the successful Goromaru conversion blowing out the score to 35-13.

Russia were now in damage-control mode in defence with the pace of the game taking its toll on the lack of match fitness and fatigue from the heavy load of tackles. Captain Toshiaki Hirose was the next try scorer for Japan from a deft Kosei Ono cross kick in the twenty-seventh minute and although Goromaru could not convert from the right-hand touchline the 40-13 scoreline was well and truly in favour of Japan.

There was no change to the scoreline over the closing stages with Japan taking the second half 27-0 and the match itself 40-13 for a well-deserved victory bringing up the first win on tour.

After the match, interim head coach Scott Wisemantel made the following comments, “Overall, we played some good rugby tonight, however, the first half was below average. We made seven handling errors in the first half and this enabled Russia to apply pressure. We rectified things in the second half, but this is still not good enough against top-ten ranked sides.”

Captain Toshiaki Hirose then noted, “We finished strongly but the first half left a lot to be desired. We won the test but we still have a lot of hard work to do.”

Wing Akihito Yamada who made his international debut for Japan when he replaced Yoshikazu Fujita on the right flank in the twenty-eighth minute of the second half said, “Thanks to those around me I made a few breaks and thoroughly enjoyed myself. However, I cannot rest on my laurels as I now have a lot of work to do. Hopefully I was able to contribute to the win tonight in what was my first test match.”

 
Akihito Yamada makes his debut against Russia.

Gloucester 40 d Japan XV 5

Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2013.
Venue: Kingsholm Stadium.
Kick-off: 19:45 local time/GMT/UTC.
Referee: Ian Tempest.
Halftime: Gloucester 26 – Japan XV 5.

Japan XV

Pos.	Name (Test Player Number)	Club	DOB	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Yusuke NAGAE (551)	Ricoh Black Rams	19/07/1985	28	171/107	15
2	Yusuke AOKI (490)	Suntory Sungoliath	19/06/1983	30	176/97	30
3	Hiroshi YAMASHITA (523)	Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers	01/01/1986	27	183/122	27
4	Shinya MAKABE (533)	Suntory Sungoliath	26/03/1987	26	192/118	18
5	Shoji ITO (553)	Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers	02/12/1980	32	191/100	18
6	Justin IVES (544)	Canon Eagles	24/05/1984	29	196/100	14
7	Kyosuke HORIE (-)	Yamaha Jubilo	11/07/1990	23	183/103	-
8	Takashi KIKUTANI (c) (474)	Toyota Verblitz	24/02/1980	33	187/106	66
9	Atsushi HIWASA (545)	Suntory Sungoliath	22/05/1987	26	166/72	28
10	Yu TAMURA (555)	NEC Green Rockets	09/01/1989	24	181/92	15
11	Yuta IMAMURA (480)	Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers	31/10/1984	29	178/93	38
12	Yasuki HAYASHI (-)	Panasonic Wild Knights	26/04/1985	28	176/85	-
13	Seiichi SHIMOMURA (454)	Panasonic Wild Knights	20/09/1981	31	175/85	4
14	Akihito YAMADA (-)	Panasonic Wild Knights	26/07/1985	28	181/90	-
15	Yoshikazu FUJITA (562)	Waseda University	08/09/1993	20	184/90	11
16	Shota HORIE (530)	Panasonic Wild Knights	21/01/1986	27	180/105	25
17	Hisateru HIRASHIMA (514)	Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers	15/01/1983	30	180/110	27
18	Takuma ASAHARA (TBC)	Toshiba Brave Lupus	07/09/1987	25	179/114	5
19	Hitoshi ONO (445)	Toshiba Brave Lupus	06/05/1978	35	192/106	75
20	Michael BROADHURST (566)	Ricoh Black Rams	30/10/1986	27	196/111	14
21	Kosei ONO (492)	Suntory Sungoliath	17/04/1987	26	171/83	20
22	Kotaro MATSUSHIMA (-)	Natal Sharks Academy (RSA)	23/02/1993	20	175/88	-
23	SO Kil-Ryong (-)	Yamaha Jubilo	05/03/1985	28	180/95	-

Acting Head Coach: Scott Wisemantel (AUS).

In a mid-week, non-test match at the Kingsholm Stadium on the evening of Tuesday 12 November 2013, Gloucester defeated Japan XV 40-5.

In the only non-test match of the four-match tour of Europe for Japan in November 2013, the hit-out against Gloucester gave non-regular players valuable time on the field and more importantly the final opportunity to impress selectors ahead of the tests against Russia at Colwyn Bay on Friday and Spain in Madrid on Saturday, 23 November 2013.

Acting head coach Scott Wisemantel gave all twenty-three players a run including 20-year-old back Kotaro Matsushima who is with the Natal Sharks Academy in South Africa. Other non-capped players in the squad included starting openside flanker Kyosuke Horie and the Panasonic pair of centre Yasuki Hayashi and wing Akihito Yamada while from the bench wing So Kil-Ryong also got on the field.

It also gave a number of players who have not played a test for a while time on the ground including Canon Eagles lock Justin Ives. This gave him time in Japan’s colours for the first time this autumn playing on the side of the scrum and after not being included in the squads for the big tests against the All Blacks and Scotland, Ives will be itching to add to his fourteen caps for Japan over the second half of the tour. Others in this category include wing Yuta Imamura, centre Seiichi Shimomura and props Hisateru Hirashima and Takuma Asahara on the bench.

The Gloucester side was largely made up of younger players but also contained some old heads in the likes of former All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan and former England centre Mike Tindall to round out the balance between youth and experience. All-in-all, Gloucester scored six tries to one and after leading 26-5 at the break went on with the job in the second half to close out the game 40-5.

Justin Ives started the scoreboard ticking over with a second minute try but after that it was all Gloucester with right wing Charles Sharples crossing for a first-half hat-trick while veteran James Simpson-Daniel completed the try scoring in the first period with a try from the other wing. The scoring slowed down somewhat in the latter half with replacement back Steph Reynolds and No8 Matt Cox crossing the Japan whitewash while Japan remained scoreless.

After the match, acting head coach Scott Wisemantel said, “In two years time, Kingsholm will hosts two games for the top Asian Qualifier at the 2015 RWC and it was good we had this run here. We did some positive things when we had the ball tonight but the next step is to improve our overall skills so that we can take better options under pressure.”

Game captain Takashi Kikutani said, “We prepared well for this game, however, with a 40-5 scoreline we still have a lot of things to think about.

Rookie Kotaro Matsushima said, “I felt pretty relaxed coming into the game, but unfortunately I made a few mistakes throughout my time on the field. I only had one session of training with the squad and so I was not really up to speed with things.”

 

November Window Month.

 

Top League Profiles 2013-14

(6) Yamaha Motor Co. Jubilo.

http://rugby.yamaha-motor.co.jp/

2013-14 Introduction: Last season (2012-13) Yamaha finished sixth on the final Top League table, an improvement on results from recent seasons. Yamaha were a major force in the early years of Top League but have finished mid table for most years since. Yamaha were also one of a number of company teams in Japan significantly affected by the Lehman Brothers Shock and cut back on their commitment to rugby by not renewing professional contracts. This was reflected in an eleventh place finish in the 2010-11 season that forced the team to play through the promotion and relegation play-offs for the first time to retain their place in Top League.

However, Jubilo have been slowly rebuilding under Katsuyuki Kiyomiya as head coach and the confidence is coming back under his guidance. Another factor in the improved results has been the maturing of fullback Ayumu Goromaru as a player and a goal-kicker. Goromaru was the leading point scorer in 2011-12 and 2012-13 and his form virtually forced Eddie Jones to pick him as his first choice fullback and goal-kicker in the national side. The influence of both Kiyomiya and Goromaru cannot be under-estimated in the 2013-14 season. Yamaha have recruited a number of promising university players over the past few seasons and with an emphasis on youth the team is building for the future. Former All Black backrower Mose Tuiali’i and centre Male Sau are other important figures in the squad.

Established: Yamaha are relatively new on the corporate rugby scene in Japan having only been set up in 1984 and they are yet to win a major title. Yamaha are based in Iwata city, Shizuoka prefecture a few hours west of Tokyo.

Yamaha also support a more high profile soccer team with the same name of Jubilo with a lot of facilities, including the Iwata ground shared. The Jubilo part of the name comes from Spanish/Portuguese, meaning ‘jubilation’ and is intended to convey the meaning of bringing joy to the Yamaha fans and leaving a lasting impression of jubilation.

The team slogan for 2013-14 is “Yamaha Blue”.

The Company: motor vehicles, in particular motorbikes. Furthermore, Yamaha is a major manufacturer of marine craft and products such as fishing and cruising boats, yachts, outboard motors, diesel motors for boats and jet skis.

Titles:

Top League – none; runners-up once (2004-5).

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): 6^th on table on 42 points with 8 wins and 5 losses.

2011-12 (14 teams): 8^th on table on 35 points with 6 wins, a draw and 6 losses.

2010-11 (14 teams): 11^th on table on 27 points with 5 wins and 8 losses. Beat Kyuden 12-10 in P&R Play-off.

2009-10 (14 teams): 9^th on table on 30 points with 5 wins, 2 draws and 6 losses.

2008-9 (14 teams): 7^th on table on 35 points with 7 wins and 6 losses.

2007-8 (14 teams): 7^th on table on 37 points with 7 wins and 6 losses.

2006-7 (14 teams): 3^rd on table on 48 points with 10 wins, a draw and 2 losses.

2005-6 (12 teams): 7^th on table on 28 points with 5 wins and 6 losses.

2004-5 (12 teams): Runners-up. 2^nd on table on 45 points with 9 wins and 2 losses.

2003-4 (12 teams): 3^rd on table on 39 points with 8 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.

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 49^th 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 (50^th NC - 10 teams): Qualified through Wildcard Tournament. Lost to Panasonic 56-14 in first round.

2012 (49^th NC - 10 teams): Beat Kintetsu 17-15 in Wildcard to qualify. Lost to Toshiba 56-15 in first round.

2011 (48^th NC - 10 teams): DNQ.

2010 (47^th NC - 10 teams): Lost to Coca-Cola 31-17 in Wildcard Tournament and thus DNQ.

2009 (46^th NC - 10 teams): DNQ as only top 6 TL teams qualified.

2008 (45^th NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2007 (44^th NC - 8 teams): beat KGU 53-14 in round 2 and lost to Toshiba 47-10 in SF.

2006 (43^rd NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2005 (42^nd NC - 8 teams): qualified as second seed, but knocked out in SFs by eventual champions NEC 24-13.

2004 (41^st NC - 22 teams): beat World 36-20 in quarters, but lost to eventual champions Toshiba in SFs 33-12.

Corporate Championship – none. The Corporate Championship started in 1949 and ended with the 55^th Corporate Championship in 2003 as a consequence of the introduction of Top League as the national corporate league in the 2003-4 season.

Colours: Yamaha wear a light blue jersey with dark blue shoulders, navy shorts and socks. The alternate strip uses a white jersey.

Style of Play: Yamaha finished high on the table in the first two seasons of Top League but dropped to seventh before rebounding the next season to third. Over the next two seasons, Yamaha finished well off the pace in seventh place. In 2009-10 Yamaha ninth but in 2010-11 they had their worst ever season when they finished eleventh, forcing them to go through the promotion and relegation play-offs for the first time where they beat Kyuden 12-10 to retain their place in Top League for this season. in 2010-11 they improved to eighth and then last season finished sixth.

The Yamaha parent company announced in November 2009 that they would dramatically cut back on their commitment to rugby by not renewing the professional contracts they had with seventeen players, including all overseas players. Consequently, Yamaha had a number of senior players retire or move on to play with other clubs over that off-season such as former captain Hajime Kiso at No8, former All Black Reuben Thorn, South Africa Rory Duncan, fullback Kaoru Matsushita and halfback Takashi Sato. However, the good news for Yamaha was that a number of senior players, including halfback Yuki Yatomi, five-eighth Tatsuhiko Otao and fullback Ayumu Goromaru and several overseas players such as former All Black backrower Mose Tuiali’i agreed to terms to stay with the club. Nevertheless, with only 36 registered players in the squad Jubilo had to get through the 2010-11 season with the smallest squad in the league. Most teams average about 45 players while Ricoh have the biggest squad with 56 registered players.

In 2011-12 there was light at the end of the tunnel for Yamaha Rugby. The company too has recovered and loosened the purse strings with a healthy number of new players joining the club including former All Blacks backrower Jerry Collins. Another sign of the revitalisation at Jubilo was the signing of maverick coach Katsuyuki Kiyomiya to lead what continues to be a rebuilding process. After the dark days that followed the Lehman Brothers shock, where rumour had it that Yamaha rugby was going to go under, the company and the team have bounced back and are looking to claim their place among the top sides in Top League. Yamaha are now challenging for a top four finish this year and with the ship on a good course anything may well be possible over the next few seasons. All-in-all, it is important for Top League and Japanese rugby that Yamaha are competitive and pushing the strongest sides in the league for titles.

With a much better balance both on and off the field this season in 2013-14, Yamaha should be looking to really push the top sides. Yamaha can be an opportunistic side to play against with the option to take points whenever they present themselves through the boot of ace goal-kicker Ayumu Goromaru. The forwards match most other sides in the league while the backs have plenty of go to and try scoring potential with Goromaru capable of kicking his side to wins in real tight ones.

Players to Watch: Although Yamaha lost a lot of quality players and staff at the end of the 2009-10 season they managed to hold onto a solid enough core of players on which to rebuild the team. On that base Yamaha are once again establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

In 2013-14, prominent players in the forwards are veteran props Ryo Yamamura and Satoshi Nakatani along with the likes of lock Naoki Nishi, flanker Yuta Kasahara and former All Blacks and Crusaders backrower Mose Tuiali’i. Former Springbok backrower De Wald Potgieter was a big signing from the Bulls this season while Kyosuke Horie is a young player with a lot of potential after coming through the age-grade ranks of representative rugby for Japan. Also in the forwards is Yuhimaru Mimura who is charged with the captaincy this year and will carry the load of leading the side.

In the backs, former Japan halfback and club vice-captain Yuki Yatomi is now in his seventh season with Yamaha after graduating from Waseda University while the seasoned Tatsuhiko Otao once again is shaping up as the main playmaker. In the midfield, former Counties centre Male Sau is in his sixth season this year and he has come to the attention of Japan national selectors and together with Tongan international Siale Piutau should form a formidable combination while a lot more responsibility will fall on former Waseda fullback Ayumu Goromaru this season as the principle goal-kicker. Out wide, there are high expectations on wings So Kil-Ryong, who is another player on the Japan shopping list and Shinji Nakazono regularly getting across the line. Playmaker Yoshinori Sogabe was a star at Waseda under Kiyomiya and although he could not fulfil his potential at Suntory, the shift to Yamaha is good news for his new club. Finally, Patrice Olivier who has nine caps for the Philippines is a strapping centre who can be used to devastating effect.

Cap holders for Japan in the current squad: (5)

In 2013, in the HSBC A5N series, Yamaha were represented by centre Male Sau and fullback Ayumu Goromaru. Sau debuted for Japan in the first test of the series against the Philippines at outside centre and then started in the next two tests in the same position. In the IRB PNC series, Yamaha were again represented by Sau and Goromaru with both players starting in all four tests. In the middle of the PNC series, Wales toured Japan for two tests and Yamaha were represented by Sau and Goromaru.

Ryo YAMAMURA (427) 32 y/o (09/08/1981), 39 caps at tighthead prop.

Ayumu GOROMARU (467) 27 y/o (01/03/1986), 29 caps at wing/fullback.

Yuki YATOMI (481) 28 y/o (16/02/1985), 13 caps at halfback.

Male SAU (TBC) 26 y/o (13/10/1987), 9 caps at outside centre.

Tatsuhiko OTAO (460) 31 y/o (31/01/1982), 7 caps at five-eighth/wing.

The Coach: Katsuyuki Kiyomiya (47 y/o, 17/07/1967) is in his third season as head coach at Yamaha in the 2013-14 season. On 1 March 2011, Yamaha officially announced that Kiyomiya would be the new head coach for the 2011-12 season. Hiroyuki Yanagi, an official with the Yamaha company noted that the company as a whole, including the rugby team underwent considerable restructuring over the past few years but for the coming 2011-12 season the company was looking to rebuild the rugby team to make it once again highly competitive in Top League and taking on Kiyomiya as the new head coach was part of that process.

The Captain: Backrower Yuhimaru Mimura (27/02/1989) is the new captain at Yamaha for the 2013-14 season and continues the tradition of having a forward as captain. Only in his third season with the club, Mimura graduated from Meiji University to link to with Jubilo. Hooker Shogo Naka and halfback Yuki Yatomi are the vice-captains for 2013-14.

Losses: (9)

Kohei MAEDA 30 y/o (12/08/1983), prop, 180/110, into company workforce after 3 seasons with club.

Daisuke NONAKA 25 y/o (13/02/1988), prop, 181/110, retired after 7 seasons with club.

Hisashi SAKAIGAWA 26 y/o (23/12/1986), prop/hooker, 174/105, into company workforce after 8 seasons with club.

Deryck THOMAS (Fiji/Japan), 28 y/o (08/04/1985), lock/flanker/No8, 194/115, from Hakuo Uni. He represented Fiji U18s in 2002 and has 3 caps for Fiji. To Toyota after 6 seasons with club.

Teppei YAGI, 32 y/o (26/08/1981), flanker, 180/94, into company workforce after 9 seasons with club.

Akinori KAWAMOTO, 26 y/o (27/12/1986), flanker, 183/93, retired after 4 seasons with club.

Jerry COLLINS (NZL), 33 y/o (04/11/1980), flanker/No8, 190/110, 48 caps for All Blacks, Hurricanes, Toulon, Ospreys, after 2 seasons with club.

Mototaka KOSHIMURA, 28 y/o (20/11/1984), five-eighth/fullback, 180/85, into company workforce after 6 seasons with club.

Hiroyuki TSUDAKA, 30 y/o (18/10/1983), wing, 171/80, onto team staff after 7 seasons with club.

Gains: (7)

Heiichiro ITO, 23 y/o (05/10/1990), prop/hooker, 175/103, from Waseda Univ, he has represented Japan at Japan A, U20 and High School levels.

Koki YAMAMOTO, 23 y/o (29/10/1990), prop, 181/116, from Kinki Univ, he has represented Japan at Junior Japan level.

Duke KRISHNAN (Malaysia), 25 y/o (22/05/1988), lock, 195/120, 4 caps for Malaysia, from the Cobra Club.

Rikiya MATSUMOTO, 22 y/o (08/12/1990), lock/No8, 185/100, from Ryukoku Univ.

De Wald POTGIETER (RSA), 26 y/o (22/02/1987), flanker/No8, 190/108, 8 caps for Springboks, Bulls 2008 to 2013.

Kyosuke HORIE, 23 y/o (11/07/1990), flanker/No8, 183/103, from Meiji Univ, he has represented Japan at Junior Japan, U20, High School and Sevens levels.

Tatsuya FUJII, 22 y/o (01/04/1991), wing/fullback, 177/88, from Chukyo Univ.

Overseas Players and Staff: (7)

Male SA’U (NZL), 26 y/o (13/10/1987), five-eighth/centre, 184/98, 6^th year, NZ U19s & U21s, ANC Counties-Manukau, he has 9 caps for Japan.

Mose TUIALI’I (NZL), 32 y/o (25/03/1981), flanker/No8, 191/110, 5^th year, 9 caps for All Blacks, S12/14 Crusaders (2004 to 2008).

Manase FOLAU (Japan/Tonga), 32 y/o (06/05/1981), lock/flanker/No8, 188/110, 3^rd year, Saitama IoT, Toyota Industries, Tamariva.

Siale PIUTAU (NZL), 28 y/o (13/10/1985), centre/wing, 185/99, 2^nd year, 9 caps for Tonga, Chiefs 2010, Highlanders 2011 and 2012.

Patrice OLIVIER (Philippines/France), 23 y/o (07/01/1990), wing/centre/fullback, 191/95, 2^nd year, 9 caps for Philippines, from Beziers, France.

Duke KRISHNAN (Malaysia), 25 y/o (22/05/1988), lock, 195/120, 1^st year, 4 caps for Malaysia, from the Cobra Club.

De Wald POTGIETER (RSA), 26 y/o (22/02/1987), flanker/No8, 190/108, 1^st year, 8 caps for Springboks, Bulls 2008 to 2013.  

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 University Rugby 2013

The major university rugby leagues around the country are now coming to conclusion with schools in the Kanto area now having played five or six of their seven round games while in the Kansai league four rounds have been completed.

Kanto Taiko

(Tsukuba University, Teikyo University, Meiji University, Waseda University, Keio Gijuku University, Nippon Sports Science University, Aoyama Gakuin University and Seikei University.)

In the Kanto Taiko competition, Teikyo as the defending national university champions have won their opening five games in style while traditional powerhouse Waseda and Keio have both suffered one loss each for four wins. Meiji have three wins and two losses and Tsukuba have three wins and three losses. Aoyama Gakuin with two wins and three losses each while Nippon Sports Science have five straight losses and Seikei are also winless with six losses.

Kanto League

(Tokai University, Ryutsu Keizai University, Takushoku University, Hosei University, Nihon University, Chuo University, Daitobunka University and Rissho University.)

In the Kanto League competition, Ryutsu Keizai and Chuo top the table with 20 points from five straight wins followed by Tokai on 15 points from three wins and three losses. Daitobunka are on 14 points from three wins and two losses. Hosei and Rissho are both on 12 points from two wins and four losses. Nihon are next on 11 points from two wins and three losses, while Takushoku are still winless with six losses on 6 points.

Kansai League

(Tenri University, Ritsumeikan University, Kwansei Gakuin University, Kinki University, Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto Sangyo University and Kansai University.)

In the Kansai League, Ritsumeikan suffered their first defeat in round five and now have four wins and one loss together with Doshisha. Kwansei Gakuin, Kyoto Sangyo and OUHSS all have won three and lost two from their opening five matches. Tenri have two wins for three losses, Kansai have one win and four losses while Kinki are still looking for their first win.

Last up-dated: Monday, 11 November 2013.