RiJ Vol.6 No.28

July 14, 2009

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

Contents:

¡ IRB ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009: Wrap-up

s Final Results and Table

s Players Used for Japan and Scorers

s Team Reviews

¡ The Grubber Kick:

s IRB Ranking: 14 (6 July 2009)

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 Canada: to Tour Japan in November 2009

s Etc

RiJ is setting about wrapping up the Pacific Nations Cup for another year with the final results and points table along with a list of the players used for Japan and the point scorers. Furthermore, there is a brief review of all five teams. The latest news this week was the announcement of the two test tour to Japan by Canada this November. Full details are below in The Draw. Finally, of course, RiJ is counting the days down to 28 July when the hosts for the 2015 and 2019 RWCs are announced. Japan is 2019 has a nice ring to it. Enjoy the read.

PS: RiJ is having the month of August off, so please take note.

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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 again took the PNC title undefeated on 19 points. Fiji was runner-up on 14 points, while Japan finished fourth on 6 points with one win and three losses.

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.

ANZ PNC 2009 Final 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 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

Round 1: Japan bye

Round 2: Samoa 34 d Japan 15

Thursday, 18 June 2009.

Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka, Fiji.

Samoa 34 – Tries: penalty try, Justin Va’a, Henry Fa’afili, Mahonri Schwalger, Esera Lauina and Semo Sititi; Conversions: Gavin Williams 2 d.

Japan 15 – Tries: Jack Tarrant and Hirotoki Onozawa; Conversion: Ryan Nicholas; Penalty: Nicholas.

Round 3: Junior All Blacks 52 d Japan 21

Tuesday, 23 June 2009.

Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji.

JAB 52 – Tries: Victor Vito 2, Hosea Gear 2, Sione Lauaki 2, Colin Slade and Craig Clarke; Conversions: Slade 5, Stephen Brett d.

Japan 21 – Tries: Takashi Kikutani, Jack Tarrant and Koji Taira; Conversions: Ryan Nicholas 3.

Round 4: Japan 21 d Tonga 19

Saturday, 27 June 2009.

Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji.

Japan 21 – Tries: Shaun Webb 2, ; Conversions: Ryan Nicholas; Penalties: James Arlidge 2, Nicholas d.

Tonga 19 – Tries: Joseph Vaka, Ilaisa Ma’asi, Tevita Halaifonua; Conversions: Pierre Hola 2.

Round 5: Fiji 40 d Japan 39

Friday, 3 July 2009.

National Stadium, Suva, Fiji.

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, Toetu’u Taufa, Jack Tarrant and Takashi Kikutani; Conversions: Ryan Nicholas 2, James Arlidge 2; Penalties: Arlidge 2.

ANZ PNC 2009 Final Table

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

Japan Players Used in the 2009 IRB PNC

Below is a list of the players used in the four 2009 ANZ Pacific Nation Cup test matches. It should be noted that the game against the Junior All Blacks counted as a full test for Japan with caps awarded accordingly.

The table lists the four tests in chronological order, that is, Samoa, Junior All Blacks, Tonga and Fiji. This is followed by a cap sub-total for the tournament and finally the total cap count for each player. Column numbers for the tests indicate jersey numbers worn by players. A number in brackets indicates unused reserve player and thus no cap awarded. A dash indicates the player did not play in that game. The captain for each match is indicated by (c).

Prop Hisateru Hirashima, hooker Yusuke Aoki, lock Toshizumi Kitagawa, breakaway Toetu’u Taufa, captain and No8 Takashi Kikutani, inside centre Ryan Nicholas and wing/fullback Jack Tarrant started in all four games, while a further six players saw game time in all four games.

No player debuted during the 2009 PNC after 7 players made their international debuts during the 2009 Asian Five Nations earlier in the season.

Wing Hirotoki Onozawa is the most capped player in the current squad with 52 caps. Onozawa passed a personal milestone against Korea in the A5N series this year becoming only the fourth Japanese player to earn fifty caps for Japan behind former centre Yukio Motoki (79), former No8 Takeomi Ito (62) and former wing Daisuke Ohata (58). Lock Hitoshi Ono is the next most capped player with 35 caps. Captain Takashi Kikutani is gaining invaluable experience as leader after he captained Japan in all eight spring tests this year, following on from his two tests as captain against the USA last November (2008).

A total of 27 players were used by Japan in the 2009 PNC.

Name	Club	Age	Sam	JAB	Ton	Fiji	Sub	Caps
Hisateru HIRASHIMA	Kobe	26	1	1	1	1	4	8
Yusuke AOKI	Suntory	25	2	2	2	2	4	18
Tateo KANAI	Suntory	24	(16)	16	(16)	(16)	1	4
Hiroshi YAMASHITA	Kobe	23	3	17	17	17	4	8
Kensuke HATAKEYAMA	Suntory	23	17	3	3	3	4	8
Luke THOMPSON	Kintetsu	28	4	-	4	4	3	18
Toshizumi KITAGAWA	Toyota	28	5	5	5	5	4	23
Hitoshi ONO	Toshiba	31	18	4	18	(18)	3	35
Yuji KITAGAWA	Sanyo	22	-	18	-	-	1	5
Michael LEITCH	Tokai Univ.	20	6	6	-	-	2	7
Masakazu TOYOTA	Coca-Cola	23	19	19	6	6	4	5
Yoshitaka NAKAYAMA	Toyota	26	-	-	19	19	2	11
Toetu’u TAUFA	Kintetsu	28	7	7	7	7	4	7
Takashi KIKUTANI	Toyota	29	8(c)	8(c)	8(c)	8(c)	4	26
Fumiaki TANAKA	Sanyo	24	9	-	9	9	3	14
Tomoki YOSHIDA	Toshiba	27	20	9	(20)	(20)	2	18
Yuki YATOMI	Yamaha	24	-	20	-	-	1	12
Shaun WEBB	Coca-Cola	27	10	-	15	15	3	14
James ARLIDGE	Newport (Wales)	29	21	10	10	10	4	14
Tatsuhiko OTAO	Yamaha	27	-	21	21	-	2	7
Hirotoki ONOZAWA	Suntory	31	11	-	11	-	2	52
Ryan NICHOLAS	Suntory	30	12	12	12	12	4	15
Koji TAIRA	Suntory	26	13	13	22	13	4	17
Yuta IMAMURA	Kobe	23	22	22	13	14	4	27
Koji TOMIOKA	NTT Docomo	29	14	11	-	(22)	2	6
Jack TARRANT	JRFU	29	15	14	14	11	4	7
Ayumu GOROMARU	Yamaha	23	-	15	-	(21)	1	9

Japan Point Scorers in the 2009 PNC

Below is a list of the point scorers for Japan in the four tests played during the 2009 PNC.

Inside centre Ryan Nicholas was the principal goal kicker during the tournament and was the leading point scorer with 20 points from seven conversions and 2 penalties. Flyhalf James Arlidge was next on 16 points from 2 conversions and 4 penalties. Fullback/wing Jack Tarrant was the leading try scorer with three 5-pointers.

Name	T	C	P	Total
Ryan NICHOLAS	-	7	2	20
James ARLIDGE	-	2	4	16
Jack TARRANT	3			15
Yusuke AOKI	2			10
Takashi KIKUTANI	2			10
Shaun WEBB	2			10
Toetu’u Taufa	1			5
Koji TAIRA	1			5
Hirotoki ONOZAWA	1			5
TOTALS	12	9	6	96

Team Reviews

The Junior All Blacks

2009 PNC (5 teams): First on 19 points from 4 wins and 0 losses.

2008 PNC (6 teams): The Maori were first on 21 points from 5 wins and 0 losses.

2007 PNC (6 teams): First on maximum 25 points from 5 wins and 0 losses.

2006 P5N (5 teams): First on maximum 20 points from 4 wins and 0 losses.

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 included two sets of brothers with co-captain from the 2008 Maori team Tamati Ellison named captain. Colin Cooper and Ian Foster were again the co-coaches after they successfully teamed up to coach the JAB in 2007 and 2006.

In review, the JAB were always going to be the team to beat in 2009, especially given the absence of Australia A. After an initial scare in round one the JAB scored 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 with both games played at Churchill Park in Lautoka.

The JAB had the bye in round four and then going into the final round of the 2009 ANZ Pacific Nations Cup, the Juniors already had the title as they enjoyed an unassailable lead on the points table. However, the New Zealand side kept its unbeaten status intact in this tournament with a 47-25 win over Tonga in their final game for 2009 at the National Stadium in Suva. The Junior All Blacks were undefeated champions in 2006 and 2007 before the Maori did the same in 2008.

The title for the JAB underscores the continuing strength of New Zealand rugby, but after four years of this competition the scores are starting to get closer with the other sides in the competition and the JAB did not have things all their own way in 2009. The need for an Australian team to compete in this tournament was also highlighted this year.

Squad

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.

Fiji

2009 PNC (5 teams): Second on 14 points from 3 wins and 1 loss.

2008 PNC (6 teams): Fourth on 10 points from 2 wins and 3 losses.

2007 PNC (6 teams): Fourth on 9 points from 1 win, a draw and 3 losses.

2006 P5N (5 teams): Third on 10 points from 2 wins and 2 losses.

With the tournament largely based in Fiji for 2009, the home side was also going to figure in a high finish on the table. Fiji beat Tonga 36-22 in round one in Nuku’alofa before losing 45-17 to the Junior All Blacks at Churchill Park in Lautoka in round two. After the bye in round three, Fiji bounced back to beat Samoa 19-14, also at Churchill Park. In the closing game of the tournament at the National Stadium in Suva the home side did it very tough against Japan but scraped home 40-39 in what was one of the games of the 2009 series. The win over Japan allowed Fiji to leapfrog Samoa on the final table to finish in second place, the best ever finish for the Fijians in the four year history of this tournament.

Ili Tabua, the former Fijian and Australian representative was the head coach for the third season of this tournament after Wayne Pivac had the job in 2006. Tabua used veteran lock Kele Leawere and also centre Seru Rabeni as captains this year after World Cup captain and halfback Mosese Rauluni did the job in 2008. Fiji relied on a lot of younger, local based players but the squad also had the guiding influence of the experienced Rabeni at inside centre in the first two games and Seremaia Bai in the same position in the last two games. In the forwards, Leawere led the way with the help of No8 Netani Talei and Sunia Koto in the front row.

This year, the squad was missing some of the mainstays of the past few years including, Mosese Rauluni, Nicky Little, Sisa Koyamaibole, Vilimoni Delasau, Akapusi Qera, Deryck Thomas and Norman Ligairi.

Squad

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

Backs: Seremaia Bai, Ilivena Bolakoro, Filimoni Bonavucu, 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.

Manu Samoa

2009 PNC (5 teams): Third on 12 points from 2 wins and 2 losses.

2008 PNC (6 teams): Third on 10 points from 2 wins and 3 losses.

2007 PNC (6 teams): Third on 13 points from 3 wins and 2 losses.

2006 P5N (5 teams): Second on 11 points from 2 wins and 2 losses.

On 5 June 2009 the Samoan Rugby Union announced their squad for the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2009. The bulk of the players were based in Europe 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 earlier this year. Stowers is currently based in Samoa and was appointed captain for the 2009 tournament.

Samoa started their 2009 campaign with a strong showing against the Junior All Blacks in Apia in round one, going down in an agonisingly close one point game 17-16. In round two, Samoa put it together to beat Japan 34-15 at Lawaqa Park in Sigatoka and then continued on their winning way in round three putting down a resilient Tonga 27-13 at Churchill Park in Lautoka. However, Fiji put a dent in the Samoan hopes of finishing second in the Cup when the home side beat them 19-14 in Lautoka in round four. Samoa then had to sit back and watch the other four sides play out the final round and when Fiji got home over Japan in the final seconds of their match it resigned Samoa to third place on the table.

Fuimaono Tafua was head coach in 2009 replacing Taula Lepale Niko Palamo from last year who took over from Michael Jones the year before that. The captaincy was handed to No8 George Stowers this year, taking over from Filipo Levi who had the role last year.

Squad

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.

Japan

2009 PNC (5 teams): Fourth on 6 points from 1 win and 3 losses.

2008 PNC (6 teams): Fifth on 7 points from 1 win and 4 losses.

2007 PNC (6 teams): Sixth on 4 points from 1 win and 4 losses.

2006 P5N (5 teams): Fifth on 0 points from 0 wins and 4 losses.

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.

John Kirwan completed his third tournament as head coach of Japan in this Pacific Nations Cup competition with a fourth place finish in 2009. JK started as national coach on 1 January 2007, taking over from Frenchmen Jean-Pierre Elissalde who coached Japan through the inaugural Pacific Five Nations in 2006.

Japan had the bye in the first round and then lost to Samoa 34-15 in their opening match in Lawaqa Park, Sigatoka in the second round. In the third round, the Junior All Blacks handed Japan a 52-21 defeat at Churchill Park in Lautoka, before the Japanese turned it around to beat Tonga 21-19 on the same ground in the fourth round. In the fifth and final round against home side Fiji at the National Stadium in Suva, Japan came within a whisker of beating the Fijians only for No8 Netani Talei to spoil the party with a late try. The conversion got Fiji home 40-39, much to the despair of Japan.

A fourth place finish for Japan in 2009 from one win and three losses belies the continuing improvements made under Kirwan and his coaching staff. However, one indicator of the progress made so far is the fact that Japan finished the tournament with an all time high of 14 in the IRB rankings. Four years ago at the completion of the 2006 Pacific Five Nations, Japan was ranked 20 in the rankings, so the hard work is starting to pay off for Japan.

The spring season of 2009 has also been a significant transition year for Japan as JK left out a number of experienced players from recent seasons to blood a number of younger players with a view to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Part of this  generational change has been the introduction of backrower Takashi Kikutani as captain. Kikutani has now led Japan in the last ten tests stretching back to the USA tests in November last year after taking over from long term leader Takuro Miuchi who led Japan in the PNC last year. All-in-all, the signs of continued improvement for Japan over the next few years are strong.

Squad

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.

‘Ikale Tahi Tonga

2009 PNC (5 teams): Fifth on 1 point from 0 wins and 4 losses.

2008 PNC (6 teams): Sixth on 6 points from 1 win and 4 losses.

2007 PNC (6 teams): Fifth on 5 points from 1 win and 4 losses.

2006 P5N (5 teams): Fourth on 9 points from 2 wins and 2 losses.

Tonga struggled this year with four losses from their four outings to finish with the wooden spoon for the second year in a row. It was also the first time in the four years of this event that the Tongans have failed to come away with at least one win. Tonga had beaten Fiji the previous three years, but even at home that proved too much in 2009.

Tonga went down 36-22 to Fiji at home in Nuku’alofa in round one and then had the bye in the following round. In round three, Tonga lost 27-13 to Samoa at Churchill Park in Lautoka before also losing 21-19 to Japan in round four on the same ground. In their final game Tonga had to face the Junior All Blacks at the National Stadium in Suva in what was always going to be a tough game. In the end, the JAB won 47-25 to wrap-up a winless tournament for Tonga.

With a very small population and limited resources Tonga continually live on the edge. Although the 2009 squad showed patches of their potential in the four games of the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup, the inability to play out the full 80 minutes and a number of missed opportunities meant the Kingdom had to settle for last place for another year.

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’l Taula, Sione Timani, Toma Toke,

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

Head coach: Quddus Fielea.

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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 6 July 2009 - Japan was 14 (68.37).

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 in Japan.

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.

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??:

There was the persistent rumour of the revival of the concept of the Super Powers Cup involving Japan, the USA, Canada and Russia for the November window, but with Canada touring Japan for two tests in November the SPC now seems to be dead in the water.

Canada Tour to Japan 2009

On 6 July 2009 the Japan Rugby Football Union announced that Canada would tour Japan for two test matches in November 2009. The tour is to be known as the Lipovitan D Challenge 2009 with Taisho Pharmaceuticals the official sponsor. Meanwhile, Canterbury of New Zealand Japan and Coca-Cola West are the official suppliers for the series. The first test will be played at the Yurtec Stadium in Sendai City in north-eastern Japan, while the second test will be held in Tokyo. In July 2009 the Emperor and Empress of Japan toured Canada to mark the 80^th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1929. Canada and Japan also have deep rugby links with the first tour by the Japan national side taking place to Canada in 1930. Japan played their first official test on that tour, a 3-all draw against British Columbia in Vancouver on September 24. Canada followed this up in 1932 as the first country to come to Japan on a full test match tour. Japan beat Canada in both tests, winning 9-8 at the Hanazono Ground in Osaka on January 31 and then winning 38-5 at the Meiji Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on February 11.

First Test: Japan v Canada, Sunday, 15 November 2009, kick-off at 2:00 PM, Yurtec Stadium, Sendai.

Second Test: Japan v Canada, Saturday, 21 November 2009, kick-off at 2:00 PM, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

Previous Encounters:

Japan and Canada or British Columbia have met on 24 previous occasions with Japan winning 11, Canada/British Columbia 9 and there have been three draws.

Japan 12 drew with Canada 12, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, Bordeaux, 6^th RWC. (Test No.230)

Canada 15 d Japan 10, 29 May 2005, Chichibu, Tokyo, Super Cup final. (Test No.205)

Japan 34 d Canada 21, 30 May 2004, Chichibu, Tokyo, Super Powers Cup final. (Test No.195)

Japan 39 d Canada 7, 8 July 2001, Chichibu, Tokyo, 6^th PRC, play-off for 3^rd. (Test No.174)

Canada 62 d Japan 18, 15 July 2000, Toronto, 5^th PRC. (Test No.167)

Japan 23 d Canada 21, 1 May 1999, Chichibu, Tokyo, 4^th PRC. (Test No.153)

Canada 34 d Japan 25, 20 June 1998, Vancouver, 3^rd PRC. (Test No.147)

Canada 30 d Japan 22, 3 May 1998, Chichibu, Tokyo, 3^rd PRC. (Test No.142)

Canada 42 d Japan 18, 14 June 1997, Vancouver, 2^nd PRC. (Test No.140)

Japan 32 d Canada 31, 18 May 1997, Chichibu, Tokyo, 2^nd PRC. (Test No.137)

Canada 51 d Japan 30, 13 July 1996, Vancouver, 1^st PRC. (Test No.134)

Canada 45 d Japan 18, 9 June 1996, Chichibu, Tokyo, 1^st Pacific Rim Championship (PRC). (Test No.131)

Canada 49 d Japan 26, 11 May 1991, Vancouver. (Test No.110)

Japan 26 d Canada 21, 7 June 1986, Vancouver. (Test No.89)

Japan 16 d Canada 6, 18 April 1982, Chichibu, Tokyo. (Test No.72)

Japan 24 d Canada 18, 11 April 1982, Hanazono, Osaka. (Test No.71)

British Columbia 38 d Japan 7, 12 May 1976, Vancouver. (Test No.51)

Japan 32 d British Columbia 3, 22 March 1970, Chichibu, Tokyo. (Test No.31)

Japan 33 d British Columbia 6, 13 April 1963, Vancouver. (Test No.22)

Japan 11 drew with Canada (British Columbia) 11, 22 March 1959, Chichibu, Tokyo. (Test No.19)

Canada (British Columbia) 21 d Japan 17, 15 March 1959, Hanazono, Osaka. (Test No.18)

Japan 38 d Canada 5, 11 February 1932, Meiji Jingu, Tokyo. (Test No.3)

Japan 9 d Canada 8, 31 January 1932, Hanazono, Osaka. (Test No.2)

Japan 3 drew with British Columbia 3, 24 September 1930, Vancouver. (Test No.1)

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.