RiJ Vol.6 No.27

July 7, 2009

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

Contents:

¡ IRB ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009: Round 5 (final)

s JAB 47 d Tonga 25

s Fiji 40 d Japan 39

¡ The Grubber Kick:

s IRB Ranking: 14 (29 June 2009) New record high!

s Backchat:

¡ The Draw:

s IRB Announcements for RWCs 2015 & 2019: 22 days to go!

s 2009-10 Top League: Season Starts on 4 September 2009

s Tokyo Bledisloe Cup: 31 October 2009

s Etc

RiJ wraps up the 2009 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup with a review of round five this issue. The Junior All Blacks already had the title in the bag leading into the round but they then tidied up their campaign with a 47-25 win over Tonga on Thursday to maintain their unbeaten run in this tournament. In the final game of the competition on Friday, Fiji and Japan put on a grand performance to pull the curtain down on the Cup for another year. The lead changed hands a number of times throughout the match but Japan held it going into the final seconds of the test only for Fiji No8 Netani Talei to score near the posts. The conversion was kicked and Fiji ran out 40-39 winners in a game that had RiJ remembering the clash between these two sides at the 2007 RWC. Japan also jumped to 14 in the IRB rankings this week, a new record high. In The Grubber Kick, there is a brief note on some refurbishments that have taken place at Chichibu while Eddie Jones, Karmichael Hunt and now Lote Tuqiri are in the news. And yes, only 22 days to go till, what in all likelihood, will be the IRB announcement declaring Japan the host for the 2019 RWC.

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IRB ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009:

June and July 2009.

The JAB take the 2009 PNC Title.

Now in its fourth year, the IRB backed ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009 involved the Junior All Blacks (JAB) from New Zealand, the three island nations Fiji, Samoa and Tonga along with Japan. The JAB replaced the Maori for 2009, while Australia A did not participate in 2009.

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 made the decision not to include a side for 2009 despite the fact the IRB is paying most of the bills. Consequently, there was 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 was further abbreviated with the majority of the games played in Fiji rather than the home and away format of the three previous years. As a result, there were 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 Toshiba 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.

Winners

2009: The Junior All Blacks. The JAB took the PNC title with xx points. xxxx finished runner-up on xx points. Japan finished xxxx on xx points with.

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.

Round 5 (final)

Fiji 40 d Japan 39

Fiji 40 – Tries: Nemia Kenatale, Vereniki Goneva, Sireli Ledua and Netani Talei; Conversions: Seremaia Bai 4; Penalties: Bai 4 d.

Japan 39 – Tries: Yusuke Aoki 2, Touetsu Taufa, Jack Tarrant and Takashi Kikutani; Conversions: Ryan Nicholas 2, James Arlidge 2; Penalties: Arlidge 2.

Date: Friday, 3 July 2009.

Venue: National Stadium, Suva, Fiji.

Japan Test Number: 249.

Kick-off: 15:10 PM local Fiji time (12:10 PM Japan time).

Referee: Jonathon Kaplan (South Africa).

Attendance: 5,000.

Halftime: Fiji 20 – Japan 14.

Previous Encounters:

Prior to this test, Japan and Fiji have met on ten occasions dating back to 1990. Fiji have won eight and Japan two.

Fiji 24 d Japan 12, 22 June 2008, National Stadium, Tokyo, 3^rd PNC.

Fiji 35 d Japan 31, 12 September 2007, Toulouse, 6^th RWC.

Fiji 30 d Japan 15, 26 May 2007, Lautoka, 2^nd Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).

Fiji 29 d Japan 15, 1 July 2006, Nagai, Osaka, Pacific Five Nations (P5N).

Fiji 41 d Japan 13, 23 October 2003, Townsville, 5^th Rugby World Cup (RWC).

Fiji 47 d Japan 22, 20 May 2000, Chichibu, Tokyo, 5^th PRC.

Fiji 16 d Japan 9, 5 June 1999, Lautoka, 4^th Pacific Rim Championship (PRC).

Japan 20 d Fiji 8, 15 May 1994, National Stadium, Tokyo.

Japan 24 d Fiji 18, 8 May 1994, Ehime.

Fiji 32 d Japan 6, 4 March 1990, Chichibu, Tokyo.

NB: the Pacific Five Nations evolved into the Pacific Nations Cup and so 2007 can be considered the second year of the Pacific Nations Cup.

Japan (IRB rank 14, at 29 June 2009)

Pos.	Name	Club	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Hisateru HIRASHIMA	Kobe	26	180/115	8
2	Yusuke AOKI	Suntory	26	176/96	18
3	Kensuke HATAKEYAMA	Suntory	23	178/122	8
4	Luke THOMPSON	Kintetsu	28	196/110	18
5	Toshizumi KITAGAWA	Toyota	28	195/105	23
6	Masakazu TOYOTA	Coca-Cola	23	189/105	5
7	Toetu’u TAUFA	Kintetsu	28	183/105	7
8	Takashi KUKUTANI (c)	Toyota	29	187/100	26
9	Fumiaki TANAKA	Sanyo	24	166/72	14
10	James ARLIDGE	Newport (Wales)	29	187/93	14
11	Jack TARRANT	JRFU	29	193/90	7
12	Ryan NICHOLAS	Suntory	30	192/100	15
13	Koji TAIRA	Suntory	26	185/88	17
14	Yuta IMAMURA	Kobe	24	178/93	27
15	Shaun WEBB	Coca-Cola	27	180/90	14
16	Tateo KANAI	Suntory	24	175/110	4
17	Hiroshi YAMASHITA	Kobe	23	183/125	8
18	Hitoshi ONO	Toshiba	31	192/105	35
19	Yoshitaka NAKAYAMA	Toyota	26	184/110	11
20	Tomoki YOSHIDA	Toshiba	27	171/78	18
21	Ayumu GOROMARU	Yamaha	23	185/98	9
22	Koji TOMIOKA	NTT Docomo	29	178/81	6

Head Coach - John Kirwan. (31^st test as coach, for 15 wins, a draw and 15 losses.)

Subs

16 not used.

17 blood bin replacement for 1, 21-26 mins 2H.

18 not used.

19 subbed 7, 27 min 1H.

20 not used.

21 not used.

22 not used.

Fiji (IRB rank 9, at 29 June 2009)

	Name	Club	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Graham Dewes	Esther (Eng.)	27	182/114
2	Sunia Koto	London Welsh (Eng.)	29	178/110
3	Alefoso Yalayalatabua	Navy, Suva	32	180/105
4	Josefa Domolailai		23	197/107
5	Kele Leawere (c)	Hino (Jap.)	35	193/120
6	Malakai Volau		26	180/105
7	Sean Morrell		23	189/99
8	Netani Talei	Doncaster (Eng.)	26	189/110
9	Nemia Kenatale		22	185/84
10	Waisea Luveniyali	Airport, Nadi	23	173/83
11	Iliesa Keresoni		22	187/90
12	Seremaia Bai	Clermont Auvergne (Fra.)	30	182/105
13	Vereniki Goneva		25	178/97
14	Ropate Ratu		24	183/92
15	Taniela Rawaqa		23	176/83
16	Sireli Ledua		23	178/103
17	Aisake Tarogi		28	189/134
18	Anthony Wise		26	179/108
19	Sakiusa Matadigo		26	189/112
20	Ravai Fatiaki		22	180/92
21	Waisale Suka		24	182/92
22	Filimoni Bolavucu		28	172/90

Head Coach: Ilivasi Tabua.

NB: accurate and reliable statistical information for Fiji unavailable at time of writing.

Subs

16 subbed 2, 21 min 2H.

17 subbed 3, 24 min 2H.

18 subbed 7, 21 min 2H.

19. not used

20 subbed 10, 25 min 2H.

21 subbed 14, 33 min 2H.

22 subbed 15, 22 min 2H.

Preview

Since Japan beat Fiji in both tests in the 1994 Fijian tour to Japan it has been lean pickings for the Cherry Blossoms against the physical and unpredictable Flying Fijians. In the seven tests played between these two sides since 1994, a period that includes two Rugby World Cup meetings in 2003 and 2007, two meetings in the Pacific Rim Championship in 1999 and 2000, as well as the more recent Pacific Nations Cup encounters, Fiji have made a clean sweep of things.

Some of the more memorable encounters between Japan and Fiji include the close 16-9 loss in 1999 as Japan then went on to beat Canada, Tonga, Samoa and the USA to take the Pacific Rim title for the one and only time and the see-sawing 2007 Rugby World Cup Pool B match in Toulouse in which Japan came within a whisker of stealing the game at the death, only to lose 35-31.

In 2009 the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup is largely being played in Fiji and this will bolster the chances of the home side extending their winning streak against Japan. So far, both Japan and Fiji have played three games each as they head into the final round. Japan lost to Samoa 34-15 and then the Junior All Blacks 52-21, before beating Tonga 21-19. On the other hand, Fiji beat Tonga 36-22 in round one in Nuku’alofa before losing 45-17 to the Junior All Blacks and then bouncing back to beat Samoa 19-14 last round. Thus, both sides are winners from round four and this will add confidence to the prospects of both camps. A win for Fiji will see them finish in second place behind the Junior All Blacks whereas Japan will be striving to chalk up two wins for the first time in this competition. It is also crucial in the development of the national side under John Kirwan that Japan can come up with regular wins over higher ranked sides like Fiji as the Cherry Blossoms build to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Japan head coach John Kirwan has struggled with injuries on the tour to Fiji but he has named the same forward pack for this crucial game against Fiji that did the job against Tonga last round. The only change in the backline is wing Hirotoki Onozawa dropping out of the squad after sustaining a leg injury against the Tongans with Jack Tarrant moving from right wing to the left wing, Yuta Imamura moving from outside centre to right wing and Koji Taira moving up from the bench to the outside centre position. Meanwhile, Ayumu Goromaru and Koji Tomioka come onto an otherwise unchanged reserves bench to cover the outside backs positions. JK expects an exciting clash of styles when Japan takes on the Flying Fijians to close out the 2009 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup tournament. JK has based the Japan squad around a group of young players this season and he is looking forward to watching them develop in the build up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

For Fiji, head coach Ili Tabua has also made few changes to his team though he has brought in Alefoso Yalayalatabua at tight head prop with Malakai Volau and Sean Morrell both coming in as flankers. In the backs, Nemia Kenatale comes in as halfback, Vereniki Goneva comes into the centres to partner Seremaia Bai.

Wrap-up

As in the game against Tonga, James Arlidge had the job of kicking off for Japan. For the first five minutes Japan camped in the Fijian 22 with captain Takashi Kikutani missing one opportunity of a try when he knocked on over the Fijian try line on the back of a maul. However, the pressure told a few minutes later in the sixth minute when flanker Toetu’u Taufa scored the opening try of the test next to the left hand goal post. Centre Ryan Nicholas made sure of the conversion to give Japan an early 7-0 lead.

In the tenth minute Fiji got on the scoreboard with a penalty to centre Seremaia Bai following an indiscretion from Japan to bring the score back to 7-3. Fiji tried to play in the only way they know how, reminiscent of the Fijian Sevens side , throwing the ball around helter skelter. However, at times this approach can break down and a controlled Japan worked into a position for wing Jack Tarrant to score the second Japanese try in the left hand corner around the twenty minute mark. Nicholas secured the extras knocking over the conversion from the sideline to give the visitors a 14-3 lead.

Nevertheless, Fiji responded almost immediately by putting the ball throw the hands with players running into space and eventually halfback Nemia Kenatale scooted through the last line of defence for the first Fijian try of the afternoon. Bai was successful with the conversion to get Fiji back in striking distance at 14-10 down. In the 28^th minute Fiji scored again with a second penalty to Bai after Japan flanker Taufa was penalised for not rolling away at the breakdown. This narrowed the score to a one point margin at 14-13. As the teams started to look to the halftime break, the big Fijians put pressure on halfback Fumiaki Tanaka resulting in turnover ball that Fiji then ran through the unaligned defence with centre Vereniki Goneva crossing for the second Fijian try. Bai kicked the conversion to take the sides to the break with Fiji leading 20-14.

As the second half got underway, Fiji were penalised in their own half and Japan opted for the line out rather than a kick at penalty goal. The venture paid off with the forwards mauling after the line out with hooker Yusuke Aoki scoring the much needed try. Arlidge had the kicking duties in the second half and he landed the conversion to help Japan retake the lead at 21-20. A few minutes later the scenario was repeated to the letter with Aoki again coming up with the try to hand Japan the four try bonus point. However, on this occasion Arlidge could not kick the conversion, but Japan still had a 26-20 lead.

Not to be outdone, Fiji were next to score when Bai kicked his third penalty in the 11^th minute to reduce the margin to 26-23. Then, a few minutes later, South African referee Jonathon Kaplan issued a team warning to Fiji and from the ensuing penalty Arlidge kicked the first Japanese penalty of the match to stretch the lead to 29-23. The tit-for-tat in the penalty stakes continued with Bai kicking his fourth penalty on the hour mark to have Fiji only 29-26 behind.

In the 69^th minute, Japan again used their highly efficient rolling maul in the Fijian red zone with captain Takashi Kikutani timing his run to break from the back and score the fifth Japanese try. Arlidge put the icing on the cake with the conversion from close to the left hand touchline to extend the lead to 36-26.

Fiji then turned on a bit of magic in the 73^rd minute with No8 Netani Talei finding himself in space with a two-on-one with Japanese fullback Shaun Webb. In a simple play, Netani drew Webb and turned the ball back inside for replacement hooker Sireli Ledua to run in un-opposed. Bai kicked the conversion for a 36-33 score line.

Arlidge kicked his second penalty in the closing stages to give Japan a 39-33 cushion, but the game was far from over with Fiji No8 Talei slamming down the ball across the Japanese try line with time all but up on the clock. Bai kicked the easy conversion and Kaplan called fulltime with Fiji grabbing a gripping 40-39 win to close out the 2009 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup.

Junior All Blacks 47 d Tonga 25

JAB 47 – Tries: Hosea Gear 3, Rene Ranger, Sione Lauaki, Alby Mathewson and Robert Fruean; Conversions: Stephen Brett 3, Colin Slade 3 d.

Tonga 25 – Tries: Emosi Kauhenga, Muli Kaufusi and Mateo Malupo; Conversions: Pierre Hola 2; Penalties: Hola 2

Date: Thursday, 2 July 2009.

Venue: National Stadium, Suva, Fiji.

Kick-off: 15:10 PM local Fiji time.

Referee: David Pearson (England).

Attendance:

Halftime: JAB 12 – Tonga 20.

Yellow Cards: Mahe Fangupo (Tonga No.9, 23 min 2H), Mateo Malupo (Tonga No.11, 30 min 2H).

JAB: 1- Jamie Mackintosh, 2- Hikawera Elliot, 3- Ben Franks, 4- Jeremy Thrush, 5- Tom Donnelly (c), 6- Jason Eaton, 7- Karl Lowe, 8- Sione Lauaki, 9- Alby Mathewson, 10- Stephen Brett, 11- Hosea Gear, 12- Ryan Crotty, 13- Anthony Tuitavake, 14- Rene Ranger and 15- Israel Dagg.

Reserves: 16- Jason MacDonald, 17- John Schwalger, 18- Victor Vito, 19- Alando Soakai, 20-, Chris Smylie 21- Colin Slade and 22- Robert Fruean.

Co-Coaches: Colin Cooper and Ian Foster.

Tonga: 1- Toma Toke, 2- Makoni Finau, 3- Po’alo’i Taula, 4- Samiu Ika, 5- Emosi Kauhenga (Ricoh), 6- Joseph Vaka, 7- Muli Kaufusi 8- Sione Timani, 9- Mahe Fangupo, 10- Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa, 11- Mateo Malupo, 12- Pierre Hola (c), 13- Alipate Fatafehi, 14- Fou Katoa and 15- Vungakoto Lilo.

Reserves: 16- Kaiongo Tupou, 17- Peni Fakalelu, 18- Pasuka Mapakaitolo, 20- Siosaia Palei, 21- Tevita Halaifonua and 23- Hudson Tonga’uiha.

Head Coach: Quddus Fielea.

Going into this final round of the 2009 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup, the Junior All Blacks have already taken the title as they now enjoy an unassailable lead on the points table. However, the New Zealand side will be looking to keep its unbeaten status intact in this tournament with a win over Tonga in their final game for 2009. The Junior All Blacks were undefeated champions in 2006 and 2007 before the Maori did the same in 2008 and so the Juniors will not be relaxing against Tonga.

The JAB started their 2009 campaign with a tight 17-16 win over Samoa in Apia and then followed that up with a 45-17 win over Fiji and a 52-21 win over Japan. On the other hand, Tonga have struggled this year with three losses from their three outings going down 36-22 to Fiji, 27-13 to Samoa and 21-19 to Japan. Thus, this game pits the undefeated JAB against winless Tonga as the latter strive for an unlikely win to avoid the wooden spoon for the second year in a row.

The Junior All Blacks made a clean sweep of the 2009 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup when they came from behind to defeat Tonga 47-25 at the National Stadium in Suva, Fiji. Wing Hosea Gear picked up a hat-trick of tries to finish the tournament as the leading try scorer with eight touchdowns. However, Tonga held an impressive 20-12 lead at halftime after first half tries to Japan based lock Emosi Kauhenga and flanker Muli Kaufusi. Game captain, Pierre Hola playing at inside centre also added two conversions and two penalties for the half.

The JAB tested the fitness and stamina of Tonga throughout the second forty minutes, gradually gaining the ascendency. The New Zealanders ended up running in five tries to one in the half, including three over the final ten minutes to run out resounding winners 47-25. Tonga has two players sent to the sinbin over the latter stages of the game and this did not help their cause. Stephen Brett and Colin Slade kept the scoreboard ticking over by converting six of the seven tries between them.

Samoa bye.

ANZ PNC 2009 Schedule and Results (final)

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 45 (7Ts) d Fiji 17 (3Ts)	Churchill Park, Lautoka	15:10
		Samoa 34 (6Ts) d Japan 15 (2Ts)	Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka	13:10
		Tonga bye
Round 3	Tuesday, 23 June 2009	Samoa 27 (4Ts) d Tonga 13 (1T)	Churchill Park, Lautoka	12:10
		JAB 52 (8Ts) d Japan 21 (3Ts)	Churchill Park, Lautoka	15:10
		Fiji bye
Round 4	Saturday, 27 June 2009	Japan 21 (2Ts) d Tonga 19 (3Ts)	Churchill Park, Lautoka	12:10
		Fiji 19 (1T) d Samoa 14	Churchill Park, Lautoka	15:10
		JAB bye
Round 5	Thursday, 2 July 2009	JAB 47 (7Ts) d Tonga 25 (3Ts)	National Stadium, Suva	15:10
	Friday, 3 July 2009	Fiji 40 (4Ts) d Japan 39 (5Ts)	National Stadium, Suva	15:10
		Samoa bye

ANZ PNC 2009 Table (final)

Pos.	Team	P	W	L	F	A	+/-	BP1	BP2	Pts.
1	JAB	4	4	0	161	79	82	3	-	19
2	Fiji	4	3	1	112	120	-8	2	-	14
3	Samoa	4	2	2	91	64	27	2	2	12
4	Japan	4	1	3	96	145	-49	1	1	6
5	Tonga	4	0	4	79	131	-52	-	1	1

The Fiji Squad:

Forwards: Samu Bola, Graham Dewes, Isoa Josefa Domolailai, Sunia Koto, Kele Leawere (c), Sireli Ledua, Sakiusa Matadigo, Sean Morrell, Semisi Naevo (NEC), Leone Nakarawa, Ifereimi Rawaqa, Viliame Seuseu, Netani Talei, Aisake Tarogi, Malakai Volau, Anthony Wise and Alefoso Yalayalatabua.

Backs: Seremaia Bai, Ilivena Bolakoro, Filimoni Bolavucu, Jone Daunivucu, Ravai Fatiaki, Vereniki Goneva, Iliesa Kelesoni, Nemia Kenatale, Waisale Luveniyali, Timoci Nagusa, Seru Rabeni (c), Ropate Ratu, Taniela Rawaqa, Waisale Suka and Alipate Tani.

Head Coach: Ilivasi Tabua.

Jone Railomo, 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), Maleli Kunavore, Michael Tagicakibau, Jonetani Ralulu.

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 (c) (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: Craig Clarke (Taranaki), Aled de Malmanche (Waikato), Tom Donnelly (Otago), Jason Eaton (Taranaki), Ben Franks (Tasman), Owen Franks (Canterbury), Hikawera Elliot (Hawke’s Bay),  Jacob Ellison (Wellington), Sione Lauaki (Waikato), Karl Lowe (Hawke’s Bay), Jamie Mackintosh (Southland), John Schwalger (Wellington), Alando Soakai (Otago), Jeremy Thrush (Wellington), Victor Vito (Wellington), George Whitelock (Canterbury).

Backs: Stephen Brett (Canterbury), Ryan Crotty (Canterbury), Israel Dagg (Hawke’s Bay), Tamati Ellison (c) (Wellington), Robert Fruean (Wellington), Hosea Gear (Wellington), Lelia Masaga (Counties Manukau), Alby Mathewson (Wellington), Rene Ranger (Northland), Sean Romans, Colin Slade (Canterbury), Chris Smylie (North Harbour), Anthony Tuitavake (North Harbour).

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 and has been named captain for 2009.

Forwards: William Brame (Manly, Australia), Jonathon Fa’amatuainu (Bath, England), Census Johnstone (Toulouse, France), Daniel Leo (Wasps, England), Filipo Levi (Newcastle, England), Fosi Palaamo (Leeds, England), Mahonri Schwalger (Sale, England), Semo Sititi (NTT Docomo Kansai, Japan), Ernest Skelton (Reds, Australia), George Stowers (c) (Upolu, Samoa), Joe Iosefa Tekori (Castres, France), Misioka Timoteo (Vaiala, Samoa), Ofisa Treviranus (Malie Sharks, Samoa), Henry Tuilagi (Perpignan, France), Justin Va’a (Glasgow, Scotland) and Andrew Williams (Marist Samoa).

Backs: Ki Anufe (Marist Samoa), Henry Fa’afili (Leeds, England), Esera Lauina (Vaivase, Samoa), Reupena Levasa (Vailele, Samoa), Lolo Lui (Moataa, Samoa), Uale Mai (Marist Samoa), Angelolani Malifa (NYAC, USA), Seilala Mapusua (London Irish, England), Junior Poluleuligaga (BOP, NZ), Eliota Sapolu-Fuimaono (Gloucester, England), Sailosi Tagicakibau (London Irish, England), Notise Tauafao (Counties Manukau, NZ), Alesana Tuilagi (Leicester, England) and Gavin Williams (Dax, France).

Head coach: Fuimaono Tafua.

‘Ikale Tahi Tonga Squad:

Forwards: Joshua Afu, Peni Fakalelu, Makoni Finau, Opeti Fonua, Chris Hala’ufia, Pierre Hola, Samiu Ika, Muli Kaufusi, Emosi Kauhenga (Ricoh), Nili Latu (c) (NEC), Ilaisa Ma’asi, Viliami Ma’asi, Pasuka Mapakaitolo, Hale T Pole, Kisi Pulu, Po’alo’i Taula, Sione Timani, Toma Toke, Kaiongo Tupou.

Backs: Fangatapu ‘Apikotoa, Mahe Fangupo, Alipate Fatafehi, Tevita Halaifonua, Fou Katoa, Vungakoto Filimone Lilo, Mateo Malupo, Silolo Marten, Siosaia Palei, Epeli Taione, Hudson Tonga’uiha, Kaiongo Tupou and Joseph Vaka.

Head coach: Quddus Fielea.

Tonga Lea’aetoa, 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 29 June 2009 - Japan was 14 (68.37), up from 15 (67.23) the previous week. This is a record high for Japan.

Backchat: Partial refurbishment of Chichibu. At the completion of the National Championship in March, work started on some upgrades to the main rugby stadium in Tokyo at a cost of over \400,000,000. The work was hurried along as it had to be ready for the Junior World Championship starting in early June. The change rooms were enlarged and increased to four across both sides of the central corridor. The hitherto communal bath for all players and referees was done away with as showers were installed in all the change rooms. The VIP room was modernised with an elevator also installed and the press room was also done up.

Eddie Jones and Jake White will be holding a “Winning Ways Coaching Seminar” event at the Keio University facilities in Kohoku ward in Yokohama on 26 and 27 July 2009. If you have a spare 40,000 yen in your pocket why not go along.

More news on Karmichael Hunt has it that he is weighing up at least two offers from Japanese clubs including Suntory, while Munster is now in the reckoning. Hunt has already said no to AUD450,00 to stay at the Brisbane Broncos and there also seems to be serious interest from English Super League clubs. Tony McGahan, who had a stint helping out at IBM a few years back, is coach at Munster and he also happened to be his coach at high school.

Another frontline player whose name has been linked to Japan this week is Lote Tuqiri. The Waratahs and Wallabies wing had his contract terminated during the week by the ARU under circumstances that are yet to be fully explained. However, there is already talk of him returning to the NRL or heading overseas to France or Japan.

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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 22 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.

RWCL

The plot thickens. On 30 June 2009, Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) chairman Bernard Lapasset recommended to the IRB council that it should be England for 2015 and Japan for 2019. Lapasset put it this way, “England would allow the IRB to maximise investment while Japan would provide further development and expansion in Asia.”

Summer in Sugadaira

Of course, a summer of rugby in Japan would not be complete without a natsu gashuku (summer camp) in the mountains of Sugadaira in Nagano prefecture. The cool highland area is about 1,200 metres above sea level and it literally lives and breathes rugby over July, August and September with everything from rugby festivals, rugby jamborees and trial matches for the Japan schoolboys side taking place. That is not to mention, universities, companies and clubs that join the pilgrimage to the rugby Mecca of Japan at this time of the year. This year will also celebrate the tenth anniversary of Sania Park with Teikyo University taking on Meiji University on 22 August while Waseda and Hosei play on 23 August.

Japan A Tour:

There was the rumour of a tour for Japan A in the second half of July 2009. Well, adding to this rumour is the rumour that anything for Japan A has been shelved as it is already July and not a peep from the bunker.

U20 Junior World Rugby Trophy 2010

Asian qualification for the JWRT 2010 looks set to take place in Hong Kong in early September 2009. Eight teams will participate in the JWRT 2010 with six teams qualifying from the following six zones of Asia, Europe, Africa, Oceania, north and central America and South America. These six teams will join Romania as the winner from 2009 and the yet to be determined host nation. Japan finished outside the top 12 teams in the 2009 Junior World Championship held in Japan and consequently will have to participate in the JWRT in 2010. The JWC consisted of 16 teams in 2008 and 2009 but has been reduced to 12 teams for 2010 with the top 12 finishers from 2009 automatically qualifying.

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. The above details were confirmed on Thursday, 25 June 2009. On 30 June 2009, the JRFU formally announced the deal at a news conference as the Bledisloe in Tokyo news took off around the rugby world. NZRU CE, Steve Tew and ARU deputy chief executive Matt Carroll were at the Tokyo news conference.

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.

Sevens

East Asia Championship to be held in Hong Kong in December 2009. The IRB is pushing for the abbreviated form of the game to be included in the Summer Olympics programme and as part of this there is talk of cancelling the Sevens RWC and moving it into the Olympics with the proviso that players must have the nationality of the country they are representing. The JRFU announced an expanded 40-man Sevens squad on 12 June 2009 under head coach Wataru Murata.