RiJ Vol.6 No.24

June 16, 2009

Contact Ian McDonnell at all.4.one@hotmail.com

Contents:

¡ IRB Junior World Championship Japan 2009: Pool Results

s Day 2: Samoa 29 d Japan 20

s Day 3: Scotland 12 d Japan 7

¡ IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2009

s Round 1:

s Queensland Reds 24 d Japan XV 17

¡ The Grubber Kick:

s IRB Ranking: 16 (8 June 2009)

s Backchat:

¡ The Draw:

s IRB Announcements for RWCs 2015 & 2019: 43 days to go!

s 2009-10 Top League

s Tokyo Bledisloe Cup

s Etc

RiJ stays with the pool stages of the IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship this issue, although there is no good news for Japan. The young Cherry Blossoms went down to Scotland in a close result in their third and final pool game to finish bottom of Pool B. The sting in the tail comes with the fact that Japan will finish outside the top 12 this year meaning they will not qualify for the 2010 JWC in Argentina. For 2010, the tournament is being reduced from 16 to 12 teams with the top 12 finishers from 2009 qualifying. The 2009 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup also got off to a start on the weekend, although Japan had the bye. The Junior All Blacks had a one point win over Samoa and Fiji defeated Tonga for the very first time in this tournament.

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IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship Japan 2009

5-21 June 2009

U20 Japan Squad

	Position	Name	School	Age	Height	Weight
1	Prop	Keita INAGAKI	Kanto Gakuin Uni.	18	183	117
2	Prop	Shinsuke ONO	Meiji Uni.	19	180	114
3	Prop	Hidetatsu TSUBOI	Teikyo Uni.	19	181	111
4	Hooker	Kohei YOSHIDA	Teikyo Uni.	19	183	109
5	Hooker	Ryuhei ARITA (c)	Waseda Uni.	19	177	98
6	Hooker	Ryotaro SUZUKI	Meiji Uni.	19	175	104
7	Lock	Kodai MATSUHASHI	Rissho Uni.	20	192	105
8	Lock	Takumi MIKAMI	Waseda Uni.	19	192	98
9	Lock	Yoshiki NIIZEKI	Nippon Sport Science Uni.	19	192	112
10	Lock	Yuta ONODERA	Ryutsu Keizai Uni.	19	186	110
11	Flanker	Michiro TAKAI	Nippon Sport Science Uni.	19	187	88
12	Flanker	Kota YAMASHITA (v-c)	Waseda Uni.	19	180	92
13	Flanker	Ryuta YASUI	Tokai Uni.	19	186	101
14	Halfback	Hayata YOKOYAMA	Chubu Uni.	19	181	91
15	Halfback	Takehito NAMEKAWA	Teikyo Uni.	19	163	66
16	Five-eighth	Yoshikazu MORITA	Teikyo Uni.	20	172	83
17	Five-eighth	Harumichi TATEKAWA	Tenri Uni.	19	181	88
18	Centre	Aisea HAVEA	Tenri Uni.	20	176	98
19	Centre	Naoya MINAMIHASHI	Teikyo Uni.	19	175	83
20	Centre	Kenta NAKASONE (v-c)	Keio Uni.	19	180	89
21	Wing	Tomohiro SHOKAI	Doshisha Uni.	19	186	82
22	Wing	Shohei TAKESHITA	Hosei Uni.	19	177	79
23	Wing	Shohei TOYOSHIMA	Tokai Uni.	20	173	78
24	Wing	Yoshiaki TSURUGASAKI	Tokai Uni.	19	185	97
25	Fullback	Tsuyoshi IGUCHI	Waseda Uni.	19	180	84
	Flanker	Kohei SAITA	Daito Bunka Uni.	19	185	79
	Wing	Naoki CHONO	Kwansei Gakuin Uni.	20	174	79
	Wing	Opeti FEAMANI	Ryutsu Keizai Uni.	20	182	99

Head coach: Masahiro Kunda (42, Toshiba).

NB: the IRB home page lists 25 players for Japan. However, the JRFU home page lists a 28-man squad. RiJ lists these three extra players at the bottom of the above list.

Pools

Numbers in brackets in the pool tables indicate rankings for this tournament based on the order teams finished in the inaugural 2008 IRB Junior World Championship held in Wales. The USA finished in last place in 2008 and was replaced by Uruguay for 2009 as the winner of the 2008 IRB Junior World Trophy. Romania has won the 2009 IRB Junior World Trophy and would have replaced the team that finishes last in this tournament for the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship, however, there are further changes set for 2010. The 2010 JWC to be held in Argentina will only have 12 teams participating, down from the 16 team format used in 2008 and 2009. Thus, the teams that finish 13 to 16 in 2009 will not participate in 2010.

Pool A

New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland, Uruguay.

At the Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya.

Day 1: Friday, 5 June 2009.

Ireland 16 (1T) d Argentina 9, 5:00 PM.

NZ 75 (13Ts) d Uruguay 0, 7:00 PM.

Day 2: Tuesday, 9 June 2009.

Argentina 33 (5Ts) d Uruguay 15 (2Ts), 5:00 PM.

NZ 17 (2Ts) d Ireland 0, 7:00 PM.

Day 3: Saturday 13 June 2009.

Ireland 45 (7Ts) d Uruguay 0, 1:00 PM.

NZ 48 (7Ts) d Argentina 9, 3:00 PM.

	P	W	L	F	A	+/-	BP1	BP2	Pts.
New Zealand (1)	3	3	0	140	9	131	2	-	14
Ireland (9)	3	2	1	61	26	35	1	-	9
Argentina (8)	3	1	2	50	79	-29	1	1	6
Uruguay (new)	3	0	3	15	153	-138	-	-	0

Pool B

England, Samoa, Scotland, Japan.

At the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo.

Day 1: Friday, 5 June 2009.

Samoa 17 (2Ts) d Scotland 14 (1T), 5:00 PM.

England 43 (6Ts) d Japan 0, 7:00 PM.

England 43 – Tries: Josh Owens, Chris York, Luke Eves, George Lowe, Carl Fearns and Courtney Lawes; Conversions: Thomas Homer 5; Penalty: Homer d.

Japan 0.

Referee: Peter Allan (Scotland).

Attendance: 9,120.

Halftime: England 24 – Japan 0.

Red Card: Joseph Marler (England No.1, 0 min 2H, dangerous play).

Yellow Card: Robert Baker (England No.3, 18 min 2H, professional foul).

England: 1- Joseph Marler, 2- Jamie George, 3- Robert Baker, 4- Daniel Williams, 5- James Gaskell, 6- Chris York, 7- Joshua Owens, 8- Carl Fearns, 9- Ben Young, 10- Rory Clegg, 11- Jack Cobden, 12- Greig Tonks, 13- Luke Eves (c), 14- George Lowe, 15- Thomas Homer.

Reserves: 16- James Clark, 17- Ben Moon, 18- Graham Kitchener, 19- Courtney Lawes, 20- David Lewis, 21- Robert Miller and 22- Henry Trinder.

Japan: 1- Kohei Yoshida, 2- Ryohei Arita (c), 3- Shinsuke Ono, 4- Ryuta Yasui, 5- Yoshiki Niizeki, 6- Yuta Onodera, 7- Kota Yamashita, 8- Michiro Takai, 9- Hayata Yokoyama, 10- Yoshikazu Morita, 11- Shohei Toyoshima, 12- Aisea Havea, 13- Kenta Nakasone, 14- Tomohiro Shokai, 15- Tsuyoshi Iguchi.

Reserves: 16- Ryotaro Suzuki (subbed 6, 0 min 2H), 17- Keita Inagaki (subbed 1, 21 min 2H), 18- Hidetatsu Tsuboi (subbed 3, 11 min 2H), 19- Kodai Matsuhashi (subbed 5, 35 min 2H), 20- Takehito Namekawa (subbed 9, 11 min 2H), 21- Harumichi Tatekawa (subbed 10, 16 min 2H) and 22- Naoya Minamihashi (subbed 15, 11 min 1H).

As much as Japan toiled in the persistent rain it really was a case of men against boys regardless of the under twenty age limits. England played nearly all of the second half with 14 players after loosehead prop Joseph Marler was red-carded for dangerous play and they were later reduced to 13 men for ten minutes when tighthead prop Robert Baker was sinbinned. Even so, the young Japanese still could not match it with the skill and level of experience of the English. Many of the English boys are already playing professional open age rugby whereas their Japanese counterparts are locked into playing university rugby, denying them the necessary growth required to compete at this level of international age group rugby.

England scored three tries in each half after leading 24-0 at halftime. However, the rain and loss of players upset the rhythm of the second half keeping the final score to 43-0. Unfortunately for Japan, they never really looked like threatening the England try line. Slow ball from the breakdown played into the hands of England given the conditions and the low risk approach meant Japan were never going to back themselves out wide where they could have challenged the English backs. Consequently, Japan failed to trouble the scorekeeper with the English taking maximum points from the game with a 43-0 whitewash. Poor decision making around the halves and a high rate of unforced errors contributed to the loss.

Day 2: Tuesday, 9 June 2009.

England 30 (4Ts) d Scotland 7 (1T), 5:00 PM.

Samoa 29 (4Ts) d Japan 20 (4Ts), 7:00 PM.

Samoa 29 – Tries: Tito David Sfia, Iafeta Laau, Taupo Sefo, Falemiga Selesele; Conversions: Rayhan Laulala 3; Penalty: Laulala d.

Japan 20 - Tries: Ryohei Arita 3, Shohei Toyoshima.

Referee: Ian Smith (Australia).

Attendance: 10,693.

Halftime: Samoa 22 – Japan 5.

Yellow Card: Viliamu Afatia (Samoa No.17, 37 min 2H, repeated infringements).

Samoa: 1- Siaosi Otto-Iona (c), 2- Steven Savali, 3- Uini Atonio, 4- Lemalu Faatiga, 5- Ray Pese, 6- John Totini, 7- Falemiga Selesele, 8- Tau Mataafa, 9- Auvasa Falealii, 10- Ioane Fuaivaa Sefo, 11- Tito David Sfia, 12- Iafeta Laau, 13- Winston Wilson, 14- Taupo Sefo, 15- Rayhan Laulala.

Reserves: 16- Aoomavaega Malo, 17- Viliamu Afatia, 18- Mark Faasii, 19- Talalelei Moli, 20- Jonathon Malo, 21- Ivy Leleisiuao and 22- Ofisa Faauma.

Japan: 1- Kohei Yoshida, 2- Ryohei Arita (c), 3- Shinsuke Ono, 4- Ryuta Yasui, 5- Yoshiki Niizeki, 6- Kohei Saita, 7- Kota Yamashita, 8- Michiro Takai, 9- Takehito Namekawa, 10- Harumichi Tatekawa, 11- Shohei Takeshita, 12- Aisea Havea, 13- Kenta Nakasone, 14- Tomohiro Shokai, 15- Shohei Toyoshima.

Reserves: 16- Ryotaro Suzuki (subbed 6, 39 min 1H), 17- Keita Inagaki, 18- Hidetatsu Tsuboi (subbed 3, 27 min 2H), 19- Yuta Onodera, 20- Hayata Yokoyama, 21- Naoya Minamihashi  and 22- Opeti Feamani (subbed 11, 27 min 2H).

So near and yet so far. Once again the glass ceiling that exists for Japanese rugby sides at both junior and senior levels against the island nations was in existence in this match as the junior Cherry Blossoms just could not break through for a win under pressure against Samoa. Japan and Samoa play their respective rugby with totally contrasting styles with the former technical and highly structured with the latter loose at the set pieces preferring to let their instincts do the talking with ball in hand out wide. Japan has beaten Tonga in their last two outings at the senior level but there is still a psychological barrier to overcome when it comes to Fiji and Samoa. The same can be said for Japan against island teams at this level too. In 2008, Japan lost to Tonga 17-5 in the initial play-off stages of the JWC in Wales, whereas in 2007 in the U19 World Championship in Belfast, Samoa beat Japan 28-12 in the pool stages and they then lost to Fiji 60-12 in the play-off for eleventh place. Japan finished last in Belfast and were saved from relegation with the instigation of the 16-team U20 JWC. Even at the 2007 U19 tournament in Dubai, Samoa defeated Japan 26-0 in the first stage of the play-offs. Alas, a winning rugby culture for Japan still seems some way off.

In this encounter, the free running Samoans opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a try to left wing Tito David Sfia. However, Japan countered with some open running of their own that resulted in a try to fullback Shohei Toyoshima in the 7^th minute. Both tries went unconverted leaving the scores locked at 5-all. Left-footed fullback Rayhan Laulala landed a penalty for Samoa in the 15^th minute to push the islanders out to an 8-5 lead and this was followed up by tries to centre Iafeta Laau (19^th minute) and right wing Taupo Sefo (21^st minute). Laulala kicked both conversions to suddenly blow out the lead to 22-5. The young Blossoms were in trouble as they struggled with the size, power and ball skills of the Samoans. All front rowers for Samoa stood at over 190cms with tighthead prop Uini Atonio standing at 198cms and tipping the scales at 163kgs. In fact, the whole forward pack was over 190cms with three players 200cms or more. The height was not restricted to the front eight either, with five-eighth Ioane Fuaivaa Sefo 195cms and wing Taupo Sefo 194cms.

The halftime score remained at 22-5 to the Samoans leaving it all to do for Japan in the second half. Japan showed composure and resolve as they set about whittling down the deficit, particularly through their rolling maul from lineouts close to the Samoan try line. Captain Ryohei Arita led the way picking up a hat-trick of second half tries. After his second five-pointer in the 19^th minute Japan were in striking distance at 22-15 down. However, when Falemiga Selesele ran in the fourth Samoan try in the 26^th minute it took a lot of the wind out of the sails for Japan. Arita brought up the bonus point for Japan with his third try in the 31^st minute but that was to be the end of the scoring with Samoa taking the match 29-20.

Day 3: Saturday 13 June 2009.

England 52 (7Ts) d Samoa 7 (1T), 1:00 PM.

Scotland 12 (2Ts) d Japan 7 (1T), 3:00 PM.

Scotland 12 – Tries: Grant Anderson, Chris Fusaro; Conversion: Peter Horne d.

Japan 7 - Try: Naoya Minamihashi; Conversion: Kenta Nakasone.

Referee: Ian Smith (Australia).

Attendance: 15,242.

Halftime: Scotland 12 – Japan 0.

Scotland: 1- Dougie Orr, 2- Fraser Brown (c), 3- David Morton, 4- Nick Campbell, 5- Richie Gray, 6- Ryan Wilson, 7- Chris Fusaro, 8- Stuart McInally, 9- Peter Jericevich, 10- Andrew White, 11- Ashleah McCulloch, 12- Robbie Johnston, 13- Alex Dunbar, 14- Grant Anderson, 15- Peter Horne.

Reserves: 16- Finlay Gillies, 17- Grant Shiells, 18- Robert Harley, 19- Struan Dewar, 20- Henry Prygos, 21- Robbie McGowan and 22- James Knight.

Japan: 1- Kohei Yoshida, 2- Ryotaro Suzuki, 3- Shinsuke Ono, 4- Ryuta Yasui, 5- Yoshiki Niizeki, 6- Ryohei Arita (c), 7- Kota Yamashita, 8- Michiro Takai, 9- Takehito Namekawa, 10- Harumichi Tatekawa, 11- Opeti Feamani, 12- Aisea Havea, 13- Kenta Nakasone, 14- Tomohiro Shokai, 15- Shohei Toyoshima.

Reserves: 16- Keita Inagaki,17- Hidetatsu Tsuboi (subbed 3, 21 min, 2H), 18- Yuta Onodera (subbed 2, 33 min 1H), 19- Kodai Matsuhashi, 20- Hayata Yokoyama (blood bin replacement 6-9 min, 1H), 21- Naoya Minamihashi (subbed 11, 32 min, 1H) and 22- Naoki Chono (subbed 21, 34 min 2H).

The first score in this game did not come until the 28^th minute when Scotland wing Grant Anderson crossed for the opening try. Fullback Peter Horne missed the conversion but the Scots went in front 5-0. Scotland crossed for their second try three minutes later with flanker Chris Fusaro getting the five-pointer. This time, Horne was successful with the conversion to push the score out to 12-nill. This is how the teams went to the break. In the second half, Japan fought bravely with replacement back Naoya Minamihashi scoring a try in the 11^th minute and centre Kenta Nakasone adding the extras. Unfortunately, Japan could not close the gap any further and this is how the game ended.

	P	W	L	F	A	+/-	BP1	BP2	Pts.
England (2)	3	3	0	125	14	111	3	-	15
Samoa (7)	3	2	1	53	86	-33	1	-	9
Scotland (10)	3	1	2	33	54	-21	1	-	5
Japan (15)	3	0	3	27	84	-57	1	1	2

Pool C

South Africa, France, Italy, Fiji.

At the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka.

Day 1: Friday, 5 June 2009.

France 43 (7Ts) d Italy 13 (1T), 1:00 PM.

SA 36 (4Ts) d Fiji 10 (1T), 3:00 PM.

Day 2: Tuesday, 9 June 2009.

France 48 (7Ts) d Fiji 25 (3Ts), 1:00 PM.

SA 65 (10Ts) d Italy 3, 3:00 PM.

Day 3: Saturday 13 June 2009.

Fiji 20 (2Ts) d Italy 14 (1T), 1:00 PM.

SA 43 (5Ts) d France 27 (3Ts), 3:00 PM.

	P	W	L	F	A	+/-	BP1	BP2	Pts.
South Africa (3)	3	3	0	144	40	104	3	-	15
France (6)	3	2	1	118	81	37	2	-	7*
Fiji (14)	3	1	2	55	98	-43	-	-	4
Italy (11)	3	0	3	30	128	-98	-	1	1

NB: France started the 2009 tournament on -3 competition points as a result of disciplinary action following the match against Wales in the 2008 JWC.

Pool D

Wales, Australia, Canada, Tonga.

At the Best Amenity Stadium in Saga.

Day 1: Friday, 5 June 2009.

Australia 86 (14Ts) d Canada 0, 5:00 PM.

Wales 51 (6Ts) d Tonga 5 (1T), 7:00 PM.

Day 2: Tuesday, 9 June 2009.

Australia 40 (6Ts) d Tonga 6, 5:00 PM.

Wales 51 (7Ts) d Canada 15 (2Ts), 7:00 PM.

Day 3: Saturday 13 June 2009.

Tonga 36 (6Ts) d Canada 20 (3Ts), 1:00 PM.

Australia 38 (4Ts) d Wales 5 (1T), 3:00 PM.

	P	W	L	F	A	+/-	BP1	BP2	Pts.
Australia (5)	3	3	0	164	11	153	3	-	15
Wales (4)	3	2	1	111	58	53	2	-	7*
Tonga (13)	3	1	2	47	111	-64	1	-	5
Canada (12)	3	0	3	35	173	-138	-	-	0

NB: Wales started the 2009 tournament on -3 competition points as a result of disciplinary action following the match against France in the 2008 JWC.

Play-off Stages

Group 1: involves the top 4 finishers in each pool to decide positions 1 to 4, at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo.

Group 2: involves the 4 teams that finish second in each pool to decide positions 5 to 8, at the Level 5 Stadium in Fukuoka.

Group 3: involves the 4 teams that finish third in each pool to decide positions 9 to 12, at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka.

Group 4: involves the 4 teams that finish last in each pool to decide positions 13 to 16, at the Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Nagoya.

NB: all knockout games held on Wednesday 17 and Sunday 21 June 2009.

Referee Panel

On 8 April 2009, the IRB released the list of panel referees to officiate the forty games at the IRB Junior World Championship Japan 2009. The 16-man list includes 13 referees and 3 assistant referees from across 10 different Unions. There are four officials from Japan including referee Taizo Hirabayashi and assistant referees Tetsuhiko Kawano, Akihisa Aso and Taku Otsuki.

Referees

Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan)

Ian Smith (Australia)

James Jones (Wales)

Carlo Damasco (Italy)

Keith Brown (New Zealand)

Pascal Gauzere (France)

Andrew Small (England)

James Bolabiu (Fiji)

James Leckie (Australia)

Peter Allan (Scotland)

Javier Mancuso (Argentina)

Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Jerome Garces (France)

Assistant Referees

Akihisa Aso (Japan)

Taku Otsuki (Japan)

Tetsuhiko Kawano (Japan)

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IRB ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009:

June and July 2009.

Now in its fourth year, the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2009 involves the Junior All Blacks (JAB) from New Zealand, the three island nations Fiji, Samoa and Tonga along with Japan. The JAB replace the Maori for 2009, while Australia A will not participate in 2009 due to cost constraints.

In 2006 this tournament kicked off as the IRB Pacific Five Nations and involved the same teams as 2009. Australia A joined the competition in 2007 and the tournament name changed to its present moniker of IRB Pacific Nations Cup. The same format was maintained for 2008 with the exception being the Maori were the New Zealand representative side rather than the Junior All Blacks.

In the 2006 IRB Pacific Five Nations there was the need for a bye each round due to the fact that only five teams participated. The inclusion of Australia A for 2007 and 2008 gave a far better balance to the format of the tournament with three full games each round played on a home and away round robin basis. The Australian side also heightened the competitive level of the Cup. Unfortunately, the Australian Rugby Union has made the decision not to include a side for 2009 despite the fact the IRB is paying most of the bills. Consequently, there is once again the regrettable requirement for one team to have a bye each round. One can only hope that the ARU will reverse this decision for 2010.

The tournament this year is further abbreviated with the majority of the games to be played in Fiji rather than the home and away format of the three previous years. As a result, there will obviously be no home games for Japanese fans this year. One again, one can only hope that the IRB will reverse this decision for 2010.

Perhaps the fact that Japan is hosting the IRB Junior World Championship over the same time window as the 2009 edition of the PNC is having an effect, but this should not be used as an excuse.

Previous Winners

The New Zealand representative sides have won all three titles to date and in fact are still to taste defeat.

2008: The New Zealand Maori. The Maori took the PNC title undefeated with 21 points when they beat Australia A 21-18 in the final game in Sydney. Australia A finished runner-up on 20 points. Japan finished fifth on 7 points with one win and four losses.

2007: The Junior All Blacks. The JAB took the PNC title undefeated with 25 points garnering maximum points in each game. Australia A finished a distant runner-up on 16 points after they lost to the JAB and drew with Fiji. Japan finished last on 4 points with one win and four losses.

2006: The Junior All Blacks. The JAB took the P5N title undefeated with 20 points with maximum points in each game. Japan finished last on 0 points with four losses.

The Reds Scrape Home Against Japan

To prepare for the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009 in Fiji, Japan went into camp on the Gold Coast in Queensland from 2-12 June 2009 with a hit out against the Queensland Reds in a night game at Ballymore Oval in Brisbane on Wednesday, 10 June.

Queensland Reds 24 – Tries: Charlie Fetoai, Dallan Murphy, Scott Higginbotham, Dominic Shipperley; Conversions: Dallan Murphy, Ben Lucas d.

Japan XV 17 – Tries: Koji Tomioka, Yoshitaka Nakayama; Conversions: Ryan Nicholas, James Arlidge; Penalty: Nicholas.

Date: Wednesday, 10 June 2009.

Venue: Ballymore Oval, Brisbane.

Kick-off: 7:00 PM local AEST (6:00 PM Japan time).

Attendance: 1,701.

Halftime: Japan 10 – Reds 7.

Queensland Reds: 1- Ben Daley, 2- Saia Faingaa, 3- Laurie Weeks, 4- Adam Byrnes, 5- Van Humphries (c), 6- Scott Higginbotham, 7- Poutasi Luafutu, 8- Leroy Houston, 9- Ben Lucas, 10- Dallan Murphy, 11- Anthony Sauer, 12- Anthony Faingaa, 13- Charlie Fetoai, 14- Brando Va’aulu, 15- Mark McLinden.

Reserves: Sean Hardman, Dayna Edwards, Liam Shaw, John Norton, Curtis Franks, Kieran Lander, Albert Vuli Vuli, Ken Robertson, Dominic Shipperley and Blair Connor.

Head Coach: Phil Mooney.

Japan: 1- Hisateru Hirashima, 2- Yusuke Aoki, 3- Hiroshi Yamashita, 4- Hitoshi Ono, 5- Toshizumi Kitagawa, 6- Michael Leitch, 7- Phil O’Reilly, 8- Takashi Kikutani (c), 9- Fumiaki Tanaka, 10- Shaun Webb, 11- Hirotoki Onozawa, 12- Ryan Nicholas, 13- Koji Taira, 14- Koji Tomioka, 15- Jack Tarrant.

Reserves: Takeo Kanai, Yoshimitsu Yasue, Shinsuke Nakamura, Luke Thompson, Yuji Kitagawa, Yoshitaka Nakayama, Masakazu Toyota, Taufa Toetuu, Yuki Yatomi, Tomoki Yoshida, Tatsuhiko Otao, James Arlidge, Yuta Imamura and Ayumu Goromaru.

The Reds and Japan last met in Tokyo on Friday, 10 November 2006 in the build up to the final Asian Qualification round for the 2007 RWC. On that occasion, under new in-coming coach Eddie Jones the Queenslanders had the better of proceedings and came away with a 29-22 victory. It was mostly a developmental Reds squad captained by No8 John Roe but it also included hooker Sean Hardman, flanker David Croft, Peter Hynes playing at five-eighth and fullback Clinton Schifcofske playing one of his first games in the 15 man game. Quade Cooper also came on from the bench for the final 15 minutes.

On the other hand, Japan were under interim coach Osamu Ota with John Kirwan his assistant and wing Daisuke Ohata was the captain. The squad has changed dramatically in the interceding two and a half years too with the likes of Hitoshi Ono, Takashi Kikutani, Hirotoki Onozawa and Phil O’Reilly some of only a handful of survivors from the 27-man squad that faced the Reds in Tokyo.

In this game, the Reds dominated territory throughout the first half but Japan led 10-7 at halftime and then 17-14 leading into the final fifteen minutes of the game. However, late tries to Scott Higginbotham and 18-year-old Dominic Shipperley sealed the 24-17 win for the Reds.

ANZ PNC 2009 Schedule and Results

Round	Date	Teams	Venue	Kick-off
Round 1	Friday, 12 June 2009	JAB 17 (2Ts) d Samoa 16 (2Ts)	Apia Park, Apia, Samoa	16:00
	Saturday, 13 June 2009	Fiji 36 (5Ts) d Tonga 22 (3Ts)	Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa, Tonga	12:00
		Japan bye
Round 2	Thursday, 18 June 2009	JAB v Fiji	Churchill Park, Lautoka	15:10
		Japan v Samoa	Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka	13:10
		Tonga bye
Round 3	Tuesday, 23 June 2009	Samoa v Tonga	Churchill Park, Lautoka	12:10
		Japan v JAB	Churchill Park, Lautoka	15:10
		Fiji bye
Round 4	Saturday, 27 June 2009	Tonga v Japan	Churchill Park, Lautoka	12:10
		Samoa v Fiji	Churchill Park, Lautoka	15:10
		JAB bye
Round 5	Thursday, 2 July 2009	Tonga v JAB	National Stadium, Suva	15:10
	Friday, 3 July 2009	Fiji v Japan	National Stadium, Suva	15:10
		Samoa bye

Round 1

Junior All Blacks 17 d Samoa 16

Date: Friday, 12 June 2009.

Venue: Apia Park, Apia, Samoa.

Kick-off: 4:00 PM local Samoa time.

Referee: Dave Pearson (England).

Attendance:

Halftime: JAB 14 – Samoa 0.

JAB: 1- Jacob Ellison, 2- Aled de Malmanche, 3- Ben Franks, 4- Jeremy Thrush, 5- Tom Donnelly, 6- Jason Eaton, 7- George Whitelock, 8- Victor Vito, 9- Chris Smylie, 10- Colin Slade, 11- Hosea Gear, 12- Tamati Ellison (c), 13- Anthony Tuitavake, 14- Rene Ranger and 15- Israel Dagg.

Reserves: 16- John Schwalger, 17- Hikawera Elliot, 18- Craig Clarke, 19- Alando Soakai, 20- Sean Romans, 21- Stephen Brett and 22- Ryan Crotty.

Co-Coaches: Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.

Samoa: 1- Fosi Palaamo, 2- Mahonri Schwalger, 3- Census Johnstone, 4- Filipo Levi, 5- Joe Tekori, 6- Jonathon Fa’amatuainu, 7- Ofisa Treviranus, 8- George Stowers (c), 9- Junior Poluleuligaga, 10- Ki Anufe, 11- Alesana Tuilagi, 12- Eliota Sapolu-Fuimaono, 13- Gavin Williams, 14- Sailosi Tagicakibau and 15- Lolo Lui.

Reserves: 16- Andrew Williams, 17- Justin Va’a, 18- Daniel Leo, 19- William Brame, 20- Henry Fa’afili, 21- Uale Mai and 22- Esera Lauina.

Head Coach: Fuimaono Tafua.

In 2008, the Maori defeated a resilient Samoa 17-6 in Hamilton in round 3. In 2007, the JAB defeated Samoa 31-10 in Apia while in 2006, the JAB defeated Samoa 56-12 in North Harbour. The Junior All Blacks have replaced the Maori as the New Zealand side in the PNC for 2009, but it does not really make a lot of difference for Samoa as one way or the other they will still be facing the Haka and the men in black. One consolation for Samoa in 2009, however, is the fact that they will be playing this game at home in Apia. Over the three years of this tournament the scores have gradually been getting closer to a win for Samoa and if they can come out of the blocks fast in this encounter they might just spring an upset over their New Zealand rivals.

The JAB got off to a bright start in this encounter scoring two first half tries and taking a 14-0 lead into the halftime break. Winger Hosea Gear and fullback Israel Dagg were the try scorers with  five-eighth Colin Slade converting both tries. Samoa fought their way back into the game winning the second half 16-3 with tries to centre Gavin Williams in the 62^nd minute and replacement back Esera Lauina in the 67^th minute. Williams missed both conversions but two earlier penalties got Samoa to one point down at 17-16 going into the final ten minutes. Neither side, however, could add to this score with the result being the JAB got home with the slimmest of margins.

Fiji 36 d Tonga 22

Date: Saturday, 13 June 2009.

Venue: Teufaiva Stadium, Nuku’alofa, Tonga.

Kick-off: 12:00 PM local Tonga time.

Referee: Nathan Pearce (Australia).

Attendance:

Halftime: Fiji 19 – Tonga 10.

Yellow Card: Graham Dewes, Fiji No.1.

Tonga: 1- Toma Toke, 2- Ilaisa Ma’asi, 3- Po’alo’l Taula, 4- Joshua Afu, 5- Sione Timani, 6- Hale T Pole, 7- Nili Latu (c) (NEC), 8- Chris Hala’ufia, 9- Silolo Marten, 10- Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa, 11- Tevita Halaifonua, 12- Epeli Taione, 13- Hudson Tonga’uiha, 14- Alipate Fatafehi and 15- Vungakoto Filimone Lilo.

Reserves: 16- Viliami Ma’asi, 17- Makoni Finau, 18- Opeti Fonua, 19- Pasuka Mapakaitolo, 20- Mahe Fangupo, 21- Kaiongo Tupou and 22- Joseph Vaka.

Head Coach: Quddus Fielea/ Kudus Felea.

Fiji: 1- Graham Dewes, 2- Sunia Koto, 3- Viliame Seuseu, 4- Isoa Josefa Domolailai, 5- Kele Leawere (c), 6- Semisi Naevo, 7- Samu Bola, 8- Netani Talei, 9- Jone Daunivucu, 10- Alipate Tani, 11- Timoci Nagusa, 12- Seru Rabeni (c), 13- Waisale Suka, 14- Filimoni Bonavucu and 15- Taniela Rawaqa.

Reserves: 16- Sireli Ledua, 17- Alefoso Yalayalatabua, 18- Leone Nakarawa, 19- Sakiusa Matadigo, 20- Nemia Kenatale, 21- Waisale Luveniyali and 22- Ilivena Bolakoro.

Head Coach: Ilivasi Tabua.

In 2008, Tonga defeated Fiji 27-16 in the final round game at Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa for their only win of the tournament. In 2007, Tonga also defeated Fiji to the tune of 21-15 in Lautoka while in 2006, Tonga defeated Fiji 24-23 in Gosford. The venue is again Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku’alofa for 2009 and the home side will be trying to continue their status as a bogey team for Fiji. The Fijians are yet to beat Tonga in this tournament with three straight losses over the previous three years, so they will be working hard to break this cycle.

Fiji drew blood against Tonga for the first time in four outings in the Pacific Nations Cup when they beat their Pacific neighbours 36-22 in Nuku’alofa. It was a good day at the office for the visitors as they scored five tries to three to pick up maximum points and go to the top of the table after the first round of the 2009 event. Left wing Timoci Nagusa scored two tries with fullback Taniela Rawaqa kicking four conversions and a penalty.

ANZ PNC 2009 Table

Team	P	W	L	F	A	+/-	BP1	BP2	Pts.
JAB	1	1	0	17	16	1	-	-	4
Fiji	1	1	0	36	22	14	1	-	5
Tonga	1	0	1	22	36	-14	-	-	0
Samoa	1	0	1	16	17	-1	-	1	1
Japan	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

The Fiji Squad:

Forwards: Graham Dewes, Sunia Koto, Isoa Josefa Domolailai, Kele Leawere (c), Semisi Naevo (NEC), Samu Bola, Netani Talei, Viliame Seuseu, Sireli Ledua, Alefoso Yalayalatabua, Leone Nakarawa, Sakiusa Matadigo,

Backs: Jone Daunivucu, Alipate Tani, Timoci Nagusa, Seru Rabeni (c), Waisale Suka, Filimoni Bonavucu, Taniela Rawaqa, Nemia Kenatale, Waisale Luveniyali, Ilivena Bolakoro.

Head Coach: Ilivasi Tabua.

Jone Railomo, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Aca Ratuva, Mosese Rauluni, Vilimoni Delasau, Kameli Ratuvou, Sireli Naqelevuki (Stormers), Vereniki Sauturaga, Wame Lewaravu, Deryck Thomas (Yamaha), Aporosa Vata, Saula Radidi, Marika Vacacegu, Akapusi Qera (Gloucester), Vereniki Goneva, Maleli Kunavore, Jonetani Ralulu and Michael Tagicakibau.

The Japan Squad:

On 28 May 2009 the Japan Rugby Football Union announced the following squad for the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009. Five-eighth James Arlidge, now playing with the Newport Gwent Dragons in Wales has been included in the national squad for the first time this season. The Japan Union has also registered an extended squad of 65 players from which this main 30-man squad is a part.

Forwards: Hisateru HIRASHIMA (Kobe), Shinsuke NAKAMURA (Nihon Univ.), Yusuke AOKI (Suntory), Tateo KANAI (Suntory), Yoshimitsu YASUE (Kobe), Hiroshi YAMASHITA (Kobe), Kensuke HATAKEYAMA (Suntory), Toshizumi KITAGAWA (Toyota), Luke THOMPSON (Kintetsu), Hitoshi ONO (Toshiba), Yuji KITAGAWA (Sanyo), Phil O’REILLY (Yokogawa), Michael LEITCH (Tokai Uni.), Takashi KIKUTANI (Toyota), Yoshitaka NAKAYAMA (Toyota), Touetsu TAUFA (Kintetsu), Masakazu TOYOTA (Coca-Cola). Backs: Fumiaki TANAKA (Sanyo), Yuki YATOMI (Yamaha), Tomoki YOSHIDA (Toshiba), James ARLIDGE (Newport, Wales), Shaun WEBB (Coca-Cola), Tatsuhiko OTAO (Yamaha), Hirotoki ONOZAWA (Suntory), Ryan NICHOLAS (Suntory), Yuta IMAMURA (Kobe), Koji TAIRA (Suntory), Ayumu GOROMARU (Yamaha), Jack TARRANT (JRFU) and Koji TOMIOKA (NTT Docomo).

Head coach: John Kirwan.

The Junior All Blacks Squad:

On 31 May 2009 the New Zealand Rugby Union announced the following squad for the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009. Some adjustments were made on 8 June 2009 after Luke McAlister was called up to the All Blacks squad. The squad includes two sets of brothers with co-captain from the 2008 Maori team Tamati Ellison has been named captain. Colin Cooper and Ian Foster are again the co-coaches.

Forwards: Victor Vito (Wellington), George Whitelock (Canterbury), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Ben Franks (Tasman), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Hikawera Elliot (Hawke’s Bay), John Schwalger, Craig Clarke, Alando Soakai,

Backs: Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay), Rene Ranger (Northland), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour), Tamati Ellison (c) (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Colin Slade (Canterbury), Chris Smylie (North Harbour), Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Ryan Crotty (Canterbury),

Bryn Evans (Hawke’s Bay), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Robert Fruean (Wellington), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Karl Lowe (Hawke’s Bay), Jamie Mackintosh (Southland), Lelia Masaga (Counties Manukau), Alby Mathewson (Wellington), and

Co-Coaches: Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.

The Manu Samoa Squad:

On 5 June 2009 the Samoan Rugby Union announced the following squad for the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009. The bulk of the players are based in European including former Ricoh Black Rams lock Filipo Levi who is now with the Newcastle Falcons in England. Backrower George Stowers also played for several seasons with the World Fighting Bull in Japan before the company restructured its commitments to rugby. Stowers is currently based in Samoa.

Forwards: Andrew Williams (Marist Samoa), Mahonri Schwalger (Sale, England), Fosi Palaamo (Leeds, England), Census Johnstone (Toulouse, France), Ernest Skelton (Reds, Australia), Justin Va’a (Glasgow, Scotland), Filipo Levi (Newcastle, England), Joe Iosefa Tekori (Castres, France), Jonathon Fa’amatuainu (Bath, England), Daniel Leo (Wasps, England), Ofisa Treviranus (Malie Sharks, Samoa), Misioka Timoteo (Vaiala, Samoa), William Brame (Manly, Australia), Henry Tuilagi (Perpignan, France), George Stowers (Upolu, Samoa). Backs: Junior Poluleuligaga (BOP, NZ), Notise Tauafao (Counties Manukau, NZ), Angelolani Malifa (NYAC, USA), Ki Anufe (Marist Samoa), Eliota Sapolu-Fuimaono (Gloucester, England), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish, England), Gavin Williams (Dax, France), Henry Fa’afili (Leeds, England), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester, England), Esera Lauina (Vaivase, Samoa), Reupena Levasa (Vailele, Samoa), Lolo Lui (Moataa, Samoa), Sailosi Tagicakibau and Uale Mai (Marist Samoa).

Head Coach: Fuimaono Tafua.

The ‘Ikale Tahi Tonga Squad:

Forwards: Toma Toke, Ilaisa Ma’asi, Po’alo’l Taula, Joshua Afu, Sione Timani, Hale T Pole, Nili Latu (c) (NEC), Chris Hala’ufia,

Backs: Silolo Marten, Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa, Tevita Halaifonua, Epeli Taione, Hudson Tonga’uiha, Alipate Fatafehi, Vungakoto Filimone Lilo.

Head coach: Quddus Fielea/ Kudus Felea.

Tonga Lea’aetoa, Emosi Kauhenga (Ricoh), Tupou Palu, Lotu Filipine, Soane Havea, Sione Piukala, Metui Maile, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Samisoni Pone, Semisi Telefoni, Sateki Mata’u, Samiu Ika, Tevita Fifita, Enele Taufa, Sione Mone Tu’ipulotu, Pat Boone, Sione Lavaka, Soane Patita, Vaea Poteki, Isileli Matakaiongo Tupou and Tu’uhoko.

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The Grubber Kick

The Grubber Kick brings the reader weekly news shorts, gossip and general happenings from the world of Rugby in Japan.

IRB ranking on 8 June 2009 - Japan was 16 (68.05).

Backchat:

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The Draw

The Draw gives the reader future dates for the diary and other great things to look forward to in rugby.

IRB RWCs 2015 and 2019:

Including today, there are 43 days till the announcements are made at IRB HQ in Dublin on 28 July 2009.

The JRFU held a press conference on 2 March 2009 to outline its thought on the 2015 and 2019 bids. In attendance were Chairman Yoshiro Mori, Vice-Chairman Noboru Mashimo and world record test scorer of tries Daisuke Ohata (69 tries from 58 tests). Mashimo noted that at this stage, England has come out of the blocks hard with its bid for 2015 and Australia, SA and Italy are firming for 2019. Further, Japan is balking at the tournament fee the IRB requires the host nation to cough up for the rights. For 2015, the price is 80 million pounds and for 2019, it is 96 million pounds. Japan is not in a position to receive government financial assistance or guarantees for such events under law so the Union will be scratching its collective head on how to raise the dough. England and the RFU received a boost for their solo bid with the support of PM Gordon Brown on 19 February 2009. South Africa (3 February 2009) and Italy (28 February 2009) have received guarantees of financial backing from their respective governments.

On 13 March 2009, the talk coming out of England was a joint bid for 2015 with Scotland, Ireland and Wales in order to cover the 80m pound tournament fee. The issue is political though as the RFU still favours the solo bid but government ministers are looking at the broader funding base.

Mashimo further noted that the call to make the bid as Asian RWC rather than solely a Japan based tournament has a lot of merit. He also hinted at the inclusion of teams from Hong Kong, Korea and China playing in Top League sometime in the future. In looking to the future Mashimo also put emphasis on youth rugby, noting that Japan will host the IRB U20 Junior World Championship this June. He also indicated that the rugby playing population was on the increase at about 5-7% PA. The current playing population stood at about 125,000 and is expected to project to 200,000 by 2015.

Eight Unions are bidding for 2015 (Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, Wales) while the number bidding for 2019 (Australia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, Wales) has been reduced to seven with the withdrawal of Russia on 16 February 2009.

In these constrained economic times, Tokyo is also bidding for the 2016 Summer Olympics while soccer is bidding for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup to be held in Japan. Thus, rugby has a lot of competition for the corporate yen, particularly given the fact that the Japanese government will not back the financial costs of the RWC. However, the Japan Union is supporting the Tokyo 2016 Olympic bid, particularly if rugby sevens can be included.

On Tuesday, 7 April 2009, the Japan government offered its full support for the Japan bidding process. Although this does not equate to total financial backing the governmental support in nonetheless highly significant. Prime Minister Taro Aso has also joined the bid committee.

On Thursday, 9 April 2009 the JRFU announced that a RWC in Japan would include games in Singapore and Hong Kong, and possibly also Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul.

IRB representatives chairman Bernard Lapasset, chief executive and general secretary Mike Miller and RWC head Kit McConnell visited Japan in mid April 2009.

The Bid Outlines.

Then there were FOUR. By early May 2009, England, Italy, Japan and South Africa were the last ones standing in the bidding process for 2015, while Italy, Japan and South Africa were also in it for 2019. Australia was the latest casualty with the ARU withdrawing from the process because they could not justify the high costs demanded by the IRB. The four countries submitted their formal tenders to the IRB by the deadline of 5PM on 8 May 2009 and outlined their bids to the IRB Council in Dublin on 13 May 2009. Yoshiro Mori, Noboru Mashimo, John Kirwan and Claude XXXX (Ache??) made up the Japan representatives at the presentation. The presentations were conducted in alphabetical order for the countries involved with each bidding Union given 30 minutes to outline their bid. Mashimo emphasised that the rugby market in Asia cannot be ignored and also that the JRFU had learned a lot since its failed bid to host 2011. Kirwan used the Apollo phrase of a small step for the IRB but a giant step for Asian rugby. 

A Tender for Asia.

The JRFU is setting the bar high in its bid to host the RWC. The Japan Union is aiming to have Japan in the quarterfinals at the 2015 RWC while on the domestic front, the Union is aiming to increase the rugby playing population from its present 125,000 up to 200,000. Furthermore, the Union is aiming to have an average of 40,000 people at domestic rugby internationals.

The model schedule for 2015 would see the RWC run from 4 September 2015 to 18 October 2015, while 2019 would run from 6 September 2019 to 20 October 2019.

The stadia involved would include the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, the Nagai Stadium in Osaka, the National Stadium and the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo, the Yurtec Stadium in Sendai, the Level Five Stadium in Fukuoka, the Toyota Stadium in Nagoya, the Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido and the Homes Stadium in Kobe. Furthermore, ten pool games would also be played in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Japan A Tour:

There is the rumour of a tour for Japan A in the second half of July 2009, though it is nothing more than that at this stage.

2009-10 Japan Rugby Top League:

The seventh season of Top League kicks off on Friday, fourth September 2009 with a night game at Chichibu in Tokyo between the finalists from last season in Toshiba and Sanyo.

Bledisloe Cup:

ARU CEO John O’Neill announced on 20 April 2009 that along with a rare Grand Slam tour in November, the Wallabies would also play a fourth Bledisloe Cup game for 2009 in Tokyo at the 57,000 seat National Stadium on 31 October 2009. Although the deal was not yet set in concrete it was “virtually done and dusted” he said.

Super Powers Cup:

At this stage, there is the rumour of the revival of the concept of the Super Powers Cup involving Japan, the USA, Canada and Russia for the November window, but it still remains to be seen.