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Japan beaten in Shield final; South Africa lift Cup at Tokyo 7s

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 10:39:18 +0000

TOKYO (March 31) Japan finished the Tokyo Sevens – their only appearance in this year's HSBC Sevens World Series – as beaten finalists in the Shield after going down 27-14 to Canada.

The hosts opened the day with a 22-14 loss to Wales, the runners-up at last week's tournament in Hong Kong, in the quarterfinals of the Bowl.

However, they recovered their composure and produced a far more disciplined performance to beat Portugal 19-15 in the semifinal of the Shield.

Captain Katsuyuki Sakai led from the front, scoring a try and two conversions, as Tomohiro Segawa's men came back from 15-7 down.

The victory saw a re-match of their Day 1 game against Canada and the local fans were hoping for a repeat of Saturday's win.

But Sean Duke had other ideas running in four tries to ensure Canada finished the tournament with some silverware.

"It was disappointing, but compared to last year, it was great that we won a few games.” said Kazushi Hanno. “We won against Portugal and came this far in the tournament so that's great. There's still lots of room for improvement especially in speed."

South Africa won the Cup, beating New Zealand 24-19 in the final.

The BlitzBokke trailed 12-0 at the break but tries from Cecil Afrika, Seabelo Senatla and Cornal Hendricks and three conversions and a penalty from Branco du Preez saw South Africa pick up their second win of the season.

“It is unbelievable,” said South Africa coach Paul Treu, whose team downed New Zealand earlier in the year in Las Vegas. “For us, we have been so unlucky throughout the year, and to come back again after a disappointing tournament in Hong Kong, to bounce back and give a performance like that, it is not everyday you beat New Zealand twice in the final. It is good momentum going into the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow.”

Last year's champions Australia topped France 31-7 to take third place, the United States beat Scotland 17-0 in the Plate and England hammered Argentina 38-0 in the Bowl.

Japan fail to make Cup at Tokyo Sevens

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:12:51 +0000

TOKYO (March 30) – Japan failed to make the quarterfinals of the Cup at the Tokyo Sevens despite opening the tournament with a 14-10 win over Canada.
The hosts of Round 7 of the HSBC Sevens World Series received the biggest cheer of the day when they beat Canada in Game 8 on the back of tries by Jamie Henry and Lote Tuqiri and two conversions from Katsuyuki Sakai.

“It was hectic, but the support we are getting at home is a real motivational factor,” Henry said after the game. “It was a good first win. We bounced back and we will benefit it for the second game. I dedicate my try to my dad. I didn't make it to Hong Kong because he passed when the team was named, I chose to go home, but I am proud to put the Japanese shirt on and am looking forward to the next game.”

Unfortunately the next game was against series leaders New Zealand and although Henry crossed for his second try of the day, the Kiwis ran in seven tries in return to win 41-5.

Despite the loss, the Japanese were praised by the opposition.
“It was good to win three games,” said New Zealand's Belgium Tuatagaloa. “Of the three games, the toughest game for today was against Japan. They were very direct and quick, and they are a good team.”

Japan came into the last game with a chance of making the Cup competition but indiscipline cost them as they went down 24-7 to France.

“We gave away too many penalties against France so it was very tough,” said Japan coach Tomohiro Segawa, whose side will now play Wales in the quarterfinals of the Bowl.

“We are very very disappointed and we must change our mindset for tomorrow's game.”

Sunday's action starts with four Bowl quarterfinals.

Spain take on Argentina, Canada play Kenya, England are up against Portugal and Wales take on Japan.

Tokyo Sevens 2013- HSBC Sevens World Series Round 7

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 00:50:06 +0000

Tokyo Sevens 2013- HSBC Sevens World Series Round 7

As Round 7 of the HSBC Sevens World Series, this year’s Tokyo Sevens 2013 will be held from March 30 to 31 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Stadium. With growing interest and great anticipation of Sevens Rugby that has been chosen as the new official Olympic sport at 2016 Rio de Janeiro, this year’s Tokyo Sevens is promised to be full of excitement and enthusiasm.

The HSBC Sevens World Series travels to nine cities in five continents. HSBC Sevens World Series champions will be decided based on total points accumulated through nine rounds.

16 teams participate in each round. Each result will be converted into points, seasonal Sevens World Champion is then determined according to the points gained.

This year’s participating countries are New Zealand, Fiji, England, Samoa, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Wales, France, Scotland, US, Kenya, Canada, Spain, Portugal and Japan, total of 16 countries.

Host countries for 2012/2013 season are Australia (Gold Coast), Dubai, South Africa (Port Elizabeth), New Zealand (Wellington), United States (Las Vegas), Hong Kong, Japan (Tokyo), Scotland (Glasgow), and England (London).

The number of host cities has been increased continuously, which means a circle of sevens rugby is growing wider and wider.

Each round attracts tens of thousands of spectators not only from its own country but also from abroad. The audience size is increased every year in every countries and cities.

The IRB sanctioned-international Sevens tournament was back to Tokyo in 2012 after 12 years. In Tokyo, international sevens rugby games were held annually from 1995 to 1999 and from 2000 to 2001 as a part of the IRB Sevens World Series.

As Japan is going to host Rugby World Cup 2019, success in this upcoming Tokyo Sevens 2013 plays a vital role in future recognition. Tokyo Sevens 2013 is expected to be a prelude to the Rugby World Cup with exciting 48 games by world top-level teams and players.

To gain Asian rugby’s reputation and expand its popularity throughout Asia, the Tokyo Sevens is looking for great success together with Hong Kong Sevens, which is already one step ahead in international sevens rugby games.

As for Japan, Men’s Sevens national team has remarkable talent becoming Asian champions in 2006 and 2010 Asian Games. For young players, being chosen in sevens national team also functions as a first-step up to the ladder of being a international player.

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About Rugby Sevens

In Rugby Sevens, games are played in the same sized field as 15-player games, but played with 7 players each with 7-minute halves (10-minute halves in finals). This enables games to be more simple, speedy and dynamic- suitable for those who are not familiar with rugby rules.
Furthermore, its unique atmosphere is something we cannot forget about when talking about sevens rugby games. The audience is dressed in whichever costumes they like, sometimes their face fully colored or painted.

On October 9,2009, at an International Olympic Committee (IOC) session in Copenhagen, Denmark, the IOC decided sevens rugby as a new event to be taken place starting from the 2016 Summer Olympic Games- which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It was a significant moment considering its role on further development of rugby in the days to come.

Sevens Garden: Tokyo Sevens 2013

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

An area of artificial turf measuring more than 2,000 square metres will be turned into a 'Sevens Garden', allowing fans not in their seats to watch the matches on big screens, and offering refreshment and official merchandise outlets. The centerpiece of the 'Sevens Garden' will be a real cherry blossom tree, which is the emblem for Japanese rugby and also for spring time in Japan.

Giant balloon play ground for kids provided by the Metropolitan Tokyo (located in ‘Sevens Garden’)

Challenge the players through the “New Target Wall” games (located in ‘Sevens Garden’)

More than 80 cheerleaders from American football X league will be performing at the opening ceremony on the first day of the tournament

Around 70 YOSAKOI (popular Japanese festival dance) dancers will also be performing at the opening ceremony

“Sevens Costume Contest” will be held to award spectators in unique costumes with prizes

“Fan Appealing Time” -During the half time, spectators will be showcased in the stadium’s large video screen

“Sakura (cherry blossom)” Refreshments will be served in ‘Sevens Garden’:

“No Side Sushi”- Petit sushi covered with cherry-blossom colored smoked salmon

Original cocktail “Sakura Blossom” - Produced by “Rugby Diner No Side Club”, this original cocktail is a collaboration of sake mousse and cherry blossom liquor

“Imagawayaki” Sakura (cherry blossom) Flavor - Japanese traditional cake filled with cherry-blossom flavored paste inside, is suitable for watching games and even for cherry-blossom viewing

“Sakura (cherry blossom)” also means horse beef in Japan because of its light pink color. Horse beef will be served together with popular Japanese food Udon

Oriental Chicken with Seven flavors - imported chicken will be cooked right in front of you. You can choose from 7 seasonings based on countries participating in Tokyo Sevens, and seasonings can be added unlimited times

Original refill cup - saving money and even good for the environment, original refill cups for beer will be sold. You will get 50 yen off each time you refill beer using this cup

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Junior Japan Squad Named

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:41:25 +0000

TOKYO (Feb. 28) - The Japan Rugby Football Union named a 30-man Junior Japan squad on Thursday ahead of the team's participation in this year's IRB Pacific Rugby Cup.

Satoru Endo will coach the squad, which contains 16 university students, 10 Top League players and four players still at high school.

Takamichi Sasaki is the most experienced player in the squad with 13 caps to his name. The two other players named who have test-match experience are Yuji Kitagawa (6 caps) and Japan's youngest ever international Yoshikazu Fujita (1), who scored six tries last year against the United Arab Emirates when aged 18 years, 7 months and 27 days.

Utility back Yasuki Hayashi, who toured Europe with the national team in November, is also named in the squad, as is Haruki Ota who flew out as a replacement, while Tsuyoshi Murata was part of the senior squad at last year's HSBC Asian Five Nations.

Issei Shige is the youngest member of the squad. The Josho Gakuen High School scrumhalf turned 18 on Dec. 5. He is joined in the backs by fellow high school student Takuya Yamasawa, who came on a first-half replacement for Junior Japan in their game against a Tonga XV in Tokyo.

The two other high school boys named in the squad are forward Kazuki Himeno and back Rikiya Matsuda.

Junior Japan open their tour against Brisbane Academy on March 12. They then play a Reds College XV on March 18 and Sydney Academy five days later.

The New Zealand leg of the trip sees them play the Blues Development squad on March 28, the Highlanders Development squad on April 2, before finishing up with a game against the Hurricanes Development squad on April 7.

Jones names 41 Man Squad for HSBC Asian Five Nations, the IRB Pacific Nations Cup and the two-test series with Wales.

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:03:51 +0000

TOKYO (Feb. 27) - Japan coach Eddie Jones named a 41-man extended squad Wednesday for this season's HSBC Asian Five Nations, the IRB Pacific Nations Cup and the two-test series with Wales.

But he stressed that there was still opportunities for players outside the squad to break into the senior team.

"We are announcing (the 30-man) Junior Japan squad tomorrow and any of those players that perform well will have the chance to be promoted to the senior squad," he explained.

Jones also said that he expected some of those named on Wednesday to be rested until the Pacific Nations Cup gets underway at the end of May.

"The 41 named today will probably never get together as one group," he said. "Luke Thompson will probably not play until the Pacific Nations Cup but he will start training like everyone else on April 1, though maybe not with the squad."

Toshiaki Hirose will once again lead the squad, which contains many of the players who toured Europe last year alongside recalled veterans such as Toshizumi Kitagawa and Kosuke Endo.

"The squad was picked on historical form, current form and the potential to perform at the 2015 World Cup," Jones said. "Of the 41 named, nine are uncapped and 20 have less than 10 caps."

Jones said the first target was to win the Asian Five Nations, and then to win the Pacific Nations Cup.

He said the side had learnt on its tour of Europe in November 2012 that it was significantly inferior in physical strength and set-piece technique and that he was looking to build a base in both areas this year.

Former Australian rugby league star Craig Wing and Male Sa'u were among the nine uncapped players named, both qualifying by virtue of the three-year residency rule.

"Wing has played at the highest level and understand what it takes to win at international level," Jones said. "Male is a player who could be world class. He gives us a potential point of difference."

Japan opens its A5N campaign against the Philippines on April 20 in Fukuoka, the first of 10 test matches during the spring and summer.

Junior Japan, meanwhile, will play six Super Rugby development sides in Australia and New Zealand in March and April.

All Japan Championship Rugby Final

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

TOKYO (Feb. 24) Suntory Sungoliath downed Kobe Kobelco Steelers 36-20 on Sunday at the National Stadium to win the 50th All Japan Championship.

The victory marked the sixth time Suntory have won the national title, and the third time running they have ended the domestic season with a win. It also means they have won the cup and Japan Rugby Top League double for the past two seasons.

"I am at a lost for words," Suntory coach Naoya Okubo said after the game, played in front of 14,155 fans. "Obviously I am very happy that we won the competition. The victory really was a group effort. Not just the players on the pitch but the non-playing members, the coaching staff and the whole club."

His opposite number, Yuji Sonoda, said it had been a great achievement for his club to make the final but at the end of the day, "Suntory's level of attack was one or two levels higher than ours."

It took just open minute for the league champions to open the scoring, Daishi Murata making the most of a turnover and a good break by Hirotoki Onozawa to go over in the corner. Ryan Nicholas added the extras, and although he failed to convert Onozawa's try in the 16th minute, he did add a penalty 13 minutes later.

Daisuke Yamamoto closed the gap with a penalty just before the break as the teams turned around with Suntory leading 15-3.

Any hopes Kobe had of reducing the gap further were dented, however, as Suntory scored three tries in the opening 23 minutes of the second half.

Koji Taira made the most of a good grubber kick by Kosei Ono, Shinki Gen chose a great angle to break the Kobe defensive line and Masakatsu Nishikawa showed great pace and strength to go over for a superb individual effort as Suntory went 36-3 up.

Three late tries from Jaque Fourie, Fraser Anderson and Yuta Imamura saw Kobe end the game on a high but it was Suntory who ended the season unbeaten, stretching their unbeaten run to 23 games.

Suntory to play Kobe in All Japan final

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 08:32:41 +0000

TOKYO (Feb. 16) - Suntory Sungoliath will play Kobe Kobelco Steelers in the final of the All-Japan Championship on Feb. 24 following two hard fought semifinals on Saturday.

Japan Rugby Top League champions Suntory downed Panasonic Wild Knights 26-13 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo, while Kobe upset Toshiba Brave Lupus 31-29 at Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Ground.

Suntory have won the last two AJC finals (and five in total), while Kobe, who last reached the final in 2004, will be looking for their tenth national title.

Suntory owed their win to tries by Masakatsu Nishikawa and Daishi Murata, with Ryan Nicholas adding three penalty goals and two conversions and Tusi Pisi knocking over a drop goal.

Panasonic's points came from two first-half penalties by Atsushi Tanabe and a late try by Sione Vatuvei, converted by Tanabe.

But it was their inability to use the strong northerly wind in the first half that cost the Wild Knights the game.

"We showed a lot of patience in the first half and kept the ball and that was the basis for our win," said Suntory coach Naoya Okubo, who said he had decided to play into the wind after winning the toss.

Panasonic, Kobe march on in AJC

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 09:04:05 +0000

TOKYO (Feb. 10) - A hat-trick of tries from wing Tomoki Kitagawa helped Panasonic Wild Knights beat Teikyo University 54-21 Sunday and advance to the semifinals of the season-ending All-Japan Championship.

The Panasonic flyer crossed twice in the first half at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground and then again in the 74th minute as the Wild Knights set up a final-four clash with Japan Rugby Top League champions Suntory Sungoliath.

The other semifinal sees Kobe Kobelco Steelers take on TL runners-up Toshiba Brave Lupus, after the Steelers beat Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 45-29 in the first game in the nation's capital.

Kitagawa's brace, a five-pointer from Yasuki Hayashi and two conversions from Atsushi Tanabe had seen Panasonic, who were resting a number of first-choice players, go 19-0 up with just 21 minutes on the clock.

But the collegiate champions struck back with Motoki Arai crossing twice and Ryota Nakamura adding two conversions.

"They played more as a team and were very committed in defence," Panasonic assistant coach Tony Brown said of Teikyo's effort in the first 40 minutes. "A lot of our guys hadn't played that much rugby in the last few months so while they were trying hard they were doing things more as individuals."

NTT Docomo stay in Top League

jrfu@jrfu.org (JRFU Staff Writer) — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 07:15:54 +0000

TOKYO (Feb. 9) - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes will remain in the Japan Rugby Top League after beating Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars 24-21 in the final promotion/relegation playoff game of the season on Saturday.

A try by former former Wales international Shane Williams in the 63rd minute at Osaka's Hanazono Rugby Ground had put the Dynaboars 21-19 up. But Kiwi flyhalf Hamish Gard ruined their hopes of a return to the top flight when he crossed in the 76th minute to secure NTT's come-from-behind win.

NTT finished the regular season in 13th spot in the Top League, while Mitsubishi were the fourth-ranked side from the regional leagues.

With the league expanding to 16 teams next season, the format for promotion and relegation was changed this year, with the top two sides from the regional leagues winning automatic spots in the top flight and the sides finishing 13th and 14th in the TL taking on the third and fourth ranked regional sides for the remaining two spots.

Coca-Cola West Red Sparks and Kubota Spears won automatic promotion after coming first and second in the Top Challenge Series, while Toyota Shokki Shuttles (the third-ranked regional side) beat Fukuoka Sanix Blues (14th in the TL) in the first playoff game last weekend.