RiJ Vol

RiJ Vol.6 No.43

November 24, 2009

Contact Ian McDonnell at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp

Contents:

¡ Canada Tour to Japan 2009

s Second Test: Japan 27 d Canada 6

¡ 2009-10 Top League Team Profiles

s (13) Ricoh

¡ The Grubber Kick:

s IRB Ranking: 13 (70.59, 23 November 2009) New Record High

s Backchat: Japan Rugby in Crisis?: Yamaha Pull Plug on Pro Contracts

RiJ brings the reader the results of the second test between Japan and Canada played in Tokyo on Saturday. Again, Canada were disappointing and failed to deliver as the hosts ground out a 27-6 win after the record 46-8 win in Sendai the previous Sunday. Over the two tests, Japan scored ten tries while only conceding one to completely dominate the two test series. Consequently, Japan and Canada deservedly swapped places on the IRB World Rankings after the Sendai test with the former now sitting in a record high thirteenth place. In the continuing Top League team profile series, Ricoh are in profile this issue. Finally, in Backchat, RiJ comments on the decision by Yamaha to not offer professional contracts for next season as the team goes back to being a basic company employee team. This decision by one of the premier teams in Top League could have far reaching ramifications on the future of the league so RiJ asks the reader to take the time to carefully read the comments below. Enjoy the read!

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.

First Test: Japan 46 d Canada 8, Sunday, 15 November 2009, kick-off at 2:00 PM, Yurtec Stadium, Sendai.

Second Test: Japan 27 d Canada 6, Saturday, 21 November 2009, kick-off at 2:00 PM, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, 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 inaugural 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 reciprocated in 1932 as the first country to visit Japan on a full test match tour. Japan beat Canada in the two tests played, 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.

Japan 27 d Canada 6

Japan 27 – Tries: Go Aruga, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Michael Leitch, Ayumu Goromaru; Conversions: Ryan Nicholas, Shaun Webb, ; Penalty: Webb d.

Canada 6 – Penalties: James Pritchard, Ander Monro.

Date: Saturday, 21 November 2009.

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

Japan Test Number: 251.

Kick-off: 2:00 PM (local Japan time).

Referee: Vinnie Munro (NZ).

Conditions: Fine, Still, 15°C. Firm, fast ground.

Attendance: 10, 175.

Halftime: Japan 12 – Canada 3.

Previous Encounters

Japan and Canada or British Columbia have met on 25 previous occasions with Japan winning 12, Canada/British Columbia 10 and there have been three draws.

Japan 46 d Canada 8, 15 November 2009, Sendai, (Test No.250)

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)

Japan (IRB rank 13, at 16 November 2009)

Pos.	Name	Club	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Naoki KAWAMATA	Sanyo	24	184/118	5
2	Shota HORIE	Sanyo	23	180/104	2
3	Kensuke HATAKEYAMA	Suntory	24	178/122	10
4	Hitoshi ONO	Toshiba	31	192/105	37
5	Toshizumi KITAGAWA	Toyota	28	195/105	25
6	Michael LEITCH	Tokai Univ.	21	189/99	9
7	Phil O’REILLY	Yokogawa	29	190/105	11
8	Takashi KIKUTANI (c)	Toyota	29	187/100	28
9	Tomoki YOSHIDA	Toshiba	27	171/78	20
10	Shaun WEBB	Coca-Cola	27	180/90	16
11	Hirotoki ONOZAWA	Suntory	31	180/87	54
12	Ryan NICHOLAS	Suntory	30	192/100	17
13	Alisi TUPUAILEI	Honda	29	187/116	2
14	Kosuke ENDO	Toyota	28	186/90	25
15	Go ARUGA	Suntory	25	175/84	14

16	Takeshi KIZU	Tokai Univ.	21	183/110	1
17	Hisateru HIRASHIMA	Kobe	26	180/115	10
18	Shinya MAKABE	Suntory	22	192/110	1
19	Toetu’u TAUFA	Kintetsu	28	183/105	9
20	Yuki YATOMI	Yamaha	24	176/83	13
21	James ARLIDGE	Newport (Wales)	30	187/93	16
22	Ayumu GOROMARU	Yamaha	23	185/98	10

Head Coach - John Kirwan. (33^rd test as coach, for 17 wins, a draw and 15 losses.)

Subs

16 subbed 2, 34 min 2H.

17 subbed 1, 34 min 2H.

18 subbed 5, 25 min 2H.

19 subbed 7, 11 min 2H.

20 not used.

21 subbed 15, 0 min 2H.

22 subbed 14, 29 min 1H.

Canada (IRB rank 14, at 16 November 2009)

	Name	Club	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Kevin Tkachuk	Glasgow Warriors (Sco)	33	180/115	52
2	Pat Riordan (c)	University of Victoria	30	185/106	26
3	Doug Woolridge	Cowichan	23	184/99	4
4	Jebb Sinclair	Castaway Wanderers	23	182/108	11
5	Tyler Hotson	Plymouth Albion (Eng)	24	196/112	12
6	Nanyak Dala	Castaway Wanderers	25	178/94	9
7	Adam Kleeberger	Rotherham Titans (Eng)	25	195/95	23
8	Aaron Carpenter	Coventry (Eng)	26	183/104	30
9	Sean White	JBAA	21	180/83	2
10	Ander Monro	Castaway Wanderers	28	178/88	19
11	Justin Mensah-Coker	Moseley (Eng)	25	196/107	20
12	Nick Blevins	Velox Valhallians	20	188/98	2
13	Matt Evans	Hartpury College (Eng)	21	183/89	8
14	Ciaran Hearn	Castaway Wanderers	23	190/100	10
15	James Pritchard	Bedford Blues (Eng)	30	175/85	31

16	Mike Pletch	Velox Valhallians	26	180/111	23
17	Dan Pletch	Oakville Crusaders	26	180/108	24
18	Chauncey O’Toole	Castaway Wanderers	23	184/80	4
19	Mark MacSween	Balmy Beach	23	190/97	-
20	Phil Mack	University of Victoria	24	170/77	6
21	Nathan Hirayama	University of Victoria	21	183/88	4
22	Sean Duke	University of Victoria	21	189/89	5

Head Coach: Kieran Crowley (48).

Subs

16 not used.

17 subbed 3, 22 min 2H.

18 subbed 8, 22 min 2H.

19 not used.

20 subbed 9, 17 min 2H.

21 subbed 15, 13 min 2H.

22 subbed 14, 28 min 1H.

Preview

Although there were some bright patches for Canada in the first test against Japan last Sunday in Sendai, at the end of eighty minutes of rugby the scoreboard read 46-8 to Japan. Canada tried to play open rugby but a high mistake rate and problems at the scrum and breakdown meant Japan were always in control. Japan exceeded 40 points against a Canadian side for the first time and the 38 point margin was the biggest winning difference for Japan, surpassing the 33 point margin in the 38-5 win for Japan at the Meiji Jingu Stadium in Tokyo way back in 1932.

There is not a lot of time for Canadian head coach Kieran Crowley and his team to turn things around as the two sides transfer from Sendai in north-eastern Japan to the capital of Tokyo to prepare for the crucial second test. The visitors will be all the better for the hit-out in the first test but there are things to work on in training during the week if they are to come out and win the Tokyo test. The last time Canada played at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo was when they met Japan in the final of the Super Cup on 29 May 2005 and this should help with the confidence of the Canadians. On that occasion, a young Dan Pletch started at loose head prop, while prop Kevin Tkachuk and No8 Aaron Carpenter were on the bench as Canada triumphed 15-10 to break a two-game winning streak that the Japanese enjoyed going back to the days of the Pacific Rim Championship in 2001.

In Sendai, Japan scored three tries in each half to put the result beyond doubt in a game played at a high pace. The home side made the most of their opportunities in attack while a solid defence restricted Canada to one try, scored late in the game. Japan head coach John Kirwan will be looking for his side up pick up where they left off last Sunday, though he will also be looking for improvements in the lineout that was wayward at times in the first test. Kirwan will be wanting to close out the two-test series with a second win before the test side disbands for the remainder of the domestic rugby season.

Kirwan has made only one change to the starting line-up that did the job in Sendai with Alisi Tupuailei moving up from the bench to replace Koji Taira at outside centre. On the bench there are several changes with uncapped Tokai University hooker Takeshi Kizu coming in for Yoshimitsu Yasue who drops out of the XXII. Suntory rookie lock Shinya Makabe earns his place on the bench at the expense of Daniel Quate after his fine form in the first seven rounds of Top League and like Kizu he too will be hoping to run on at some stage for his first cap. Finally, Yamaha fullback Ayumu Goromaru is added to the reserves.

For Canada, tight head props Dan Pletch and Doug Woolridge swap places with Pletch dropping back to the bench and Woolridge moving into the starting line-up. In the second row, Josh Jackson has had to return to France with Jebb Sinclair taking his place from the bench for the second test. Blindside flanker Chauncey O’Toole also drops to the bench to make way for Nanyak Dala on the side of the scrum. Likewise, halfbacks Sean White and Phil Mack trade places with White claiming the No.9 jersey. Inside centre Bryn Keys is also out of the squad after injuring his right ankle in the first test with Nick Blevins promoted from the bench. Ciaran Hearn moves from the outside centre position to the right wing for this test with Matt Evans coming into the starting XV. In other changes, uncapped No8 Mark MacSween moves onto the bench.

Finally, New Zealand referee Vinnie Munro will control his first international after being assistant referee in the first test.

Wrap-up

Japan kicked off the second test against Canada from the northern scoreboard end of the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground in Tokyo in perfect conditions for rugby. Both sides took time to initially settle into their games but it was the Japanese that showed their intent early to run the ball in the manner that brought them a record 46-8 win in the first test in Sendai last Sunday.

In the ninth minute of play, Samoan born outside centre Alisi Tupuailei used his size and strength inside the Canadian 22 to brush off the defence and put fullback Go Aruga into a hole. Aruga then ran in unopposed to score the first try of the test. Inside centre Ryan Nicholas was handed the goal kicking duties for this game after five-eighth Shaun Webb did the job in Sendai, however, on this occasion he failed to raise the flags from out wide.

Japan were next to score in the twentieth minute when tight head prop Kensuke Hatakeyama squeezed through an opening in a ruck on the Canadian line to plant the ball across the line for his fourth test try. In the absence of a TMO, referee Vinnie Munro consulted assistant referee Taizo Hirabayashi before awarding the try. This time the kick was easier for Nicholas and he made no mistakes to stretch the lead to 12-0.

A few minutes later, Canada got on the scoreboard when fullback James Pritchard kicked a penalty goal to narrow the difference to 12-3, the eventual halftime score.

Late in the half, Japan lost right wing Kosuke Endo to injury after he seemed to injure his right knee in a tackle. His place was taken by Ayumu Goromaru.

At halftime, Japan replaced fullback Aruga with James Arlidge for the second half after the try scorer was injured just before the break when he landed heavily after taking a high ball.

Japan maintained the pressure in the early stages of the second half and in the eighth minute No8 and captain Takashi Kikutani found space down the short side of a ruck to then draw the defence and put blindside flanker Michael Leitch in for the third Japanese try. Webb was in charge of the kicking in the second half and he landed the conversion from close to the right hand touchline to open up a 19-3 lead.

Canada also had a change of kicker for the second stanza with five-eighth Ander Monro taking over from Pritchard. Monro kicked a second penalty for the visitors in the eighteenth minute, but Webb replied in kind a few minutes later to preserve the sixteen point gap at 22-6.

Over the final 20 minutes of the test Canada enjoyed a glut of possession and territory but the Canucks just could not convert the pressure into much needed points. The Japanese defensive line remained solid before Webb latched onto a wayward pass in the thirtieth minute to scoot 80 metres downfield before being pulled down by the cover defence. The Japanese kept their cool in attack and after the ball was quickly recycled and moved right, quick hands in the backs put replacement right wing Goromaru over in the right hand corner for the fourth team try. While Webb was receiving treatment from the medical staff Nicholas took the shot at goal from the right hand touchline but he was unsuccessful with the kick.

To the very end the Canadians pressed the Japanese try line but were unable to break through and the game ended with the hosts winning 27-6 after scoring four tries to none.

Top League Profiles 2009-10: (13) Ricoh Black Rams

http://www.ricoh.co.jp/rugby/

Established: Ricoh, one of the relatively older company teams running around in Top League, were established in 1953. The company address is listed as downtown Tokyo and the training ground is also located in Tokyo in Setagaya ward. The symbol Ricoh adopted is the Black Ram, noted for its fighting spirit. The slogan for the 2009-10 season is again the acronym TAFU, standing for Team, Aggression, Faith & Unity.

The golden age for Ricoh was the early to mid 1970s when they dominated Japanese corporate rugby over this period. However, it has been a long time between drinks and Ricoh are a long way off the pace of the top teams in the modern era. Common to the woes of all teams outside the top 8, they lack the pulling power for the high profile local players coming through the university system. Their fortunes are thus on something of a vicious cycle. Ricoh had to battle through the promotion and relegation play-offs every year in the first 4 years of Top League and their luck finally ran out when they finished 13^th at the end of the 2007-8 season and were automatically relegated. However, Ricoh re-organised their operations, topped the Top East 11 competition undefeated and then beat Honda and Mazda in the Top Challenge Series to regain their place in Top League for the 2009-10 season.

The Company: Cameras, business machines such as photocopiers, printers, fax machines and other electronic devices.

Titles:

Top League

2008-9 (14 teams): DNP. Ricoh played in the Top East 11 competition.

2007-8 (14 teams): 13^th on 17 points with 3 wins & 10 losses. Relegated to Top East 11.

2006-7 (14 teams): 11^th on 21 points with 4 wins & 9 losses.

2005-6 (12 teams): 11^th on 10 points with 2 wins & 9 losses.

2004-5 (12 teams): 10^th on 18 points with 4 wins & 7 losses.

2003-4 (12 teams): 9^th on 15 points with 3 wins & 8 losses.

Microsoft Cup

From 2004 to 2006 the Microsoft Cup (MC) was a separate knock-out tournament for the top 8 finishers in TL. From 2007 the MC has acted as the play-off finals series to determine the overall TL champion with the top four finishers on the TL ladder progressing to the MC.

2009: DNP.

2008: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2007: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2006: DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.

2005: DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.

2004: DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.

National Championship – twice, with back-to-back titles in 1973 and 1974.

2009 (10 teams): Qualified as the Top Challenger. Drew with Teikyo University 25-all in first round but progressed to next round due to the fact they scored more tries. Beat NEC 24-23 in second round. Lost to Sanyo 59-3 in semi-finals.

2008 (8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2007 (8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2006 (8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2005 (8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2004 (22 teams): DNQ as only top 8 TL teams qualified.

Corporate Champions – three times (1971 (joint champions with Shin Nitetsu Kamaishi after final drawn 6-all) 1973 & 1974). Also runners-up twice (1972 & 1975).

Colours: Black jersey, shorts and socks. The second jersey is white with black flashes through the flanks.

Style of Play: In the first 4 seasons of Top League Ricoh struggled, finishing well down the ladder every year. Then, they finished 13^th and were relegated at the end of the 2007-8 season but to their credit they re-grouped and fought their way back into Top League after just the one season in the Top East 11 competition. Throughout their five years in Top League, Ricoh had a number of high profile coaches such as Tim Lane and before him Brian Smith, though at the end of the day there has not been the necessary continuity and stability in the coaching ranks. After Tim Lane, Toshiaki Sato was head coach for two seasons before making way for Todd Louden from the 2008-9 season.

In some ways, relegation was the wake-up call that Ricoh had to have as they re-vamped their operations for 2008-9 and playing in the less demanding Top East league enabled the new set-up room for trial and error. Todd Louden and his new coaching staff worked hard to improve things at Ricoh but one of the real coups for the club was the signing of Wallabies legend Stephen Larkham. Larkham is far from a one man miracle worker but the aura surrounding the man has been inspiring for all concerned at the Rams.

After being relegated Ricoh made drastic changes to playing personnel and this continued into the 2009-10 season with 17 players leaving, while 20 new players joined the club. What they now have is a solid core of a squad with a good balance between overseas and local players. It still remains to be seen, but on paper at least Ricoh look set to chalk up a number of wins while possibly giving some of the more fancied sides a scare along the way. All-in-all, Ricoh will be aiming to be competitive this season while ultimately trying to avoid the automatic relegation positions and also the promotion and relegation play-off positions. If Ricoh can finish tenth or better on the final table it will be a fantastic turn around for this proud club.

Players to Watch: without a doubt the figure of Stephen Larkham will be larger than life at Ricoh in the 2009-10 season. The former Wallaby who played most of his 102 tests at five-eight is being used more at fullback under coach Todd Louden where he has more room to move. Larkham had last season to settle into life in Japan and so he should be a significant influence for the Rams this season.

In the forwards, veteran lock Hiroyuki Tanuma will again lead from the front in what is the 14^th season with the club for the 36-year-old. Further, Tongan-born two metre lock Emosi Kauhenga is now in his third year with Ricoh this season after graduating from Daitobunka University. South African Pieter Ferreira on the side of the scrum is also in his third year, and continuing the recent connection with South African rugby is the addition of Hottie Louw. Louw played with the Stormers and the Bulls in Super rugby and he also won 7 caps for the Springboks. Backrower Ryota Ai and his younger brother Koji are other important members of the pack.

In the backs, 7s specialist Yusuke Kobuki will be looking to make a mark this year and Ryo Kanazawa will also be hoping to carry on his form from recent seasons from the centres. Masatoshi Mukawa and Yoshimitsu Kawano will be fighting for the five-eight position with the latter most likely taking the goal kicking responsibilities. Larkham’s former Brumbies team mate Joel Wilson also joined Ricoh last year from Kobe and his versatility in being able to cover a number of positions will be valuable. Roy Kinikinilau linked up with Ricoh this season from IBM and at 193cms and 110kgs he will be bound to threaten opposition defences throughout the season. Teams opposing Ricoh this season can be excused for seeing double as Kenichi Yokoyama joins his twin brother Shinichi in the outside backs. The two brothers have represented Japan at Sevens and at 180cms and 80kgs one or both of the twins could be expected to go onto higher representative honours. Another experienced player to join Ricoh last season was former Japan halfback Wataru Ikeda who moved across from Sanyo. Ikeda is also the captain this season.

Cap holders for Japan in the current squad: (2)

There were no representatives from Ricoh in the 2009 Asian Five Nations (A5N) tournament, or the 2009 edition of the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).

In the two home tests against the USA in November 2008, Ricoh were not represented.

There were no representatives from Ricoh in the inaugural Asian Five Nations (A5N) tournament in 2008, or the 2008 edition of the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).

At the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, Ricoh were represented by NZ-born utility back Bryce Robins. However, Filipo Levi was playing with Samoa and Emosi Kauhenga with Tonga. Robins left Ricoh for NEC at the end of the 2007-8 season after playing with the club for four years. Levi left Ricoh at the end of the 2008-9 season while Kauhenga is still with the club.

Hiroyuki TANUMA 36 y/o, 42 caps at lock.

Wataru IKEDA 33 y/o, 14 caps at halfback.

(Shinichi TSUKIDA with 9 caps at halfback retired at the end of the 2008-9 season.)

The Coach: Australian Todd Louden (39) was appointed the new head coach for the 2008-9 season and so he is in his second year this season. Louden was an assistant coach under Ewan McKenzie at the Waratahs over the 2007 and 2008 seasons and was also an assistant coach at the Bulls in South Africa in 2006. Coming on board last season too were forwards coach South African Botha Human, coach at the Bulls from 2005-8 and technical coach NZer Lance Hayward who was an analyst at the Waratahs from 2005-8.

Before Louden, Toshiaki Sato was appointed head coach in April 2006 taking over from Tim Lane and he coached the team for two seasons. Sato joined Ricoh as a player in 1985 straight from high school and played as a centre right through till he retired in 2001. From 2002 he coached Tokai Uni for four years before rejoining Ricoh as backs coach. The two seasons before Sato saw non-Japanese as head coaches. Former Springbok Peter Muller was backs coach in 2006-7, though his services were not required after that. Muller played 33 Tests for the Boks in the centres including RWC 99 before moving on to play & coach with Cardiff (2000-04) & Doncaster (2005). Former Wallaby & Queenslander Glenn Panaho was forwards coach in 2006-7 but he too has moved on. Although born in Whangarei in NZ, Panaho was a product of the St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane. Panaho made his international debut in 1998 against the Springboks as a prop who could play on either side of the scrum & went on to earn 21 caps. His last appearance for Australia was in the 17-21 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park on 16 August 2003. He also played for the Brothers club in Brisbane.

Brian Smith was coach before Tim Lane but was released to take up a post with London Irish.

The Captain: The new captain for the 2009-10 season is halfback Wataru Ikeda. Ikeda has 14 caps for Japan and he had a long career at Sanyo before the rise of Fumiaki Tanaka encouraged him to move to Ricoh for the 2008-9 season.

Before Ikeda, flanker Shoji Ito was captain for three years but he moved to Kobe at the end of the 2008-9 season. Ito took over from lock Hiroyuki Tanuma.

Hooker Yoshiyuki Takizawa is again vice-captain in the forwards this year while Yoshimitsu Kawano is also again the vice-captain in the backs.

In addition to the captain and vice-captains as noted above, Ricoh also have a system in place where wing Yusuke Kobuki is club captain and lock Hiroyuki Tanuma and halfback Naotaka Yuasa are the club vice-captains.

Losses: (17) The following is an incomplete list of the losses at Ricoh.

Yusuke NIWA 26 y/o, prop, 181/115. Retired after 4 years with the club.

Koji NAKAMURA 28 y/o, prop, 177/100. Retired after 6 years with the club.

Shunsuke KATAOKA 29 y/o, prop, 180/115. Retired after 7 years with the club.

Reo TOMORI 33 y/o, prop, 175/98. To Sanix after 9 years with the club.

Kazunori ISOOKA 28 y/o, lock, 187/88. Retired after 6 years with the club.

Filipo LEVI (NZ) 30 y/o, lock/flanker, 196/118, 4 caps for Samoa & 2 caps for Pacific Islands, Highlanders S12/14, Otago NPC. To Ospreys in Wales after 2 years with the club.

Satoru ENDO 37 y/o, lock, 193/100. Retired after 3 years with the club.

Shoji ITO 28 y/o, flanker, 191/95. To Kobe after 6 years with the club including the last three as captain.

Yasuharu URYU 29 y/o, centre, 176/82. To Canon after one year with the club.

Tsutomu NISHITSUJI 30 y/o, 180/83. Retired after 7 years with the club.

Gains: (20)

Kazuya TAMURA, 33 y/o, hooker/prop, 170/100. From World (1999-2008).

Samuela MAFILEO (Tonga) 27 y/o, prop/lock/No8, 190/125. From Nihon Univ.

Yuta ITO, 27 y/o, prop, 173/118. From Yamaha (2005-2008).

Kei SUMITA, 24 y/o, prop, 182/108. From World (2008).

Daisuke KUWABARA, 23 y/o, prop, 180/101. From Rissho Univ.

Si-Bo WANG (China) 22 y/o, prop, 188/125.

Shozo FUKUNAGA 34 y/o, lock, 190/102. From Sanyo (1999-2008).

Hottie LOUW (SA) 33 y/o, lock/flanker/No8, 198/115, 7 caps for Springboks, S12/14 Stormers & Bulls.

Tomohiro ONUMA 28 y/o, lock, 191/105. From Secom (2004-2008).

Kazuhiro SHIBATA 23 y/o, lock/flanker, 186/102. From Nihon Sports Univ.

Takeshi MABUCHI 22 y/o, lock/flanker, 186/102. From Nihon Univ.

Hiroyuki MORIYAMA 22 y/o, lock/No8, 184/103. From Daitobunka Univ.

Rocky HAVILI (Tonga) 29 y/o, backrow/centre, 180/101. From Suntory (2007-2008).

Takeru YOSHIZAWA 22 y/o, flanker, 173/90. From Teikyo Univ.

Kazuhiro MORIYA 22 y/o, flanker/No8, 182/95. From Takushoku Univ.

Takashi KAMIO 26 y/o, halfback, 167/73. From Secom (2005-2008).

Kenichi YOKOYAMA 23 y/o, five-eighth/wing, 180/80. From Takushoku Univ.

Daniel PETERS (NZ), 24 y/o, five-eighth/centre, 180/87. From Takushoku Univ.

Akihiro SHIGEMI 24 y/o, centre, 181/89. From IBM (2007-2008).

Roy KINIKINILAU (NZ) 29 y/o, centre, 193/110. From IBM (2008).

Overseas Players & Staff: (11 + 5)

Emosi KAUHENGA (Tonga) 28 y/o, lock/flanker/No8, 200/125, 3^rd year, 14 caps for Tonga, from Daitobunka Univ.

Pieter FERREIRA (SA) 33 y/o, flanker/No8, 192/105, 3^rd year, Stormers, Cats, Lions S14.

Stephen LARKHAM (Aus), 35 y/o, five-eighth/fullback, 189/88, 2^nd year, 102 caps for Wallabies, S12/14 Brumbies.

Joel WILSON (Aus) 32 y/o, centre, 187/95, 2^nd year, Australia A, Brumbies S12/14 (2001-5). From Kobe (2006-7).

Gerhard HUMAN (SA) 23 y/o, flanker/No8, 189/104, 2^nd year, Lions S14.

Samuela MAFILEO (Tonga) 27 y/o, prop/lock/No8, 190/125, 1^st year. From Nihon Univ.

Si-Bo WANG (China) 22 y/o, prop, 188/125, 1^st year.

Hottie LOUW (SA) 33 y/o, lock/flanker/No8, 198/115, 1^st year, 7 caps for Springboks, S12/14 Stormers & Bulls.

Rocky HAVILI (Tonga) 29 y/o, backrow/centre, 180/101, 1^st year. From Suntory (2007-2008).

Daniel PETERS (NZ), 24 y/o, five-eighth/centre, 180/87, 1^st year. From Takushoku Univ.

Roy KINIKINILAU (NZ) 29 y/o, centre, 193/110, 1^st year. From IBM (2008).

Todd LOUDEN (Aus) 39 y/o, head coach, 2^nd year.

Botha Human (SA), forwards coach, 2^nd year.

Lance HAYWARD (NZ), technical coach, 2^nd year.

Jeff WHITE, strength coach.

Stuart PAYBURY??, rehabilitation and performance coach.

The 2009-10 Squad: (52) the list starts with captain and vice-captains and continues through forwards and backs in order from props to fullbacks. All family names come last.

Wataru Ikeda (c), Yoshiyuki Takizawa (v-c forwards), Yoshimitsu Kawano (v-c backs), Yusuke Kobuki (club captain), Hiroyuki Tanuma (club vice-captain), Naotaka Yuasa (club vice-captain). Forwards: Kazuya Tamura, Samuela Mafileo, Yuta Ito, Hiroki Tatenai, Hideaki Takahashi, Kei Sumita, Yuki Mori, Yusuke Nagae, Daisuke Kuwabara, Si-Bo Wang, Katsuya Otake, Shozo Fukunaga, Hottie Louw, Emosi Kauhenga, Tomohiro Oinuma, Ryota Ai, Koji Ai, Mitsuki Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Shibata, Takeshi Mabuchi, Hiroyuki Moriyama, Pieter Ferreira, Keigo Goto, Rocky Havili, Rikiya Kawakami, Keiichiro Suenaga, Gerhard Human, Takeru Yoshizawa and Kazuhiro Moriya. Backs: Takashi Kamio, Yuta Goto, Kenichi Yokoyama, Stephen Larkham, Masatoshi Mukawa, Daniel Peters, Shota Tsuda, Joel Wilson, Ryo Kanazawa, Akihiro Shigemi, Atsushi Saito, Roy Kinikinilau, Shinsuke Ikegami, Daisuke Komatsu, Fumiya Santo, Shori Hoshino and Shinichi Yokoyama. Head Coach: Todd Louden.

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 23 November 2009 - Japan was 13 (70.59). After beating Canada 46-8 in Sendai last Sunday, Japan and Canada swapped places on the IRB Rankings with Canada dropping to 14. After again beating Canada 27-6 in the second test in Tokyo, Japan pushed into the 70s range in the ratings points edging closer to twelfth placed Italy on 71.23.

Backchat:

Japan Rugby in Crisis?: Yamaha Pull Plug on Pro Contracts

With all the international rugby happening around the world in the busy month of November one highly significant piece of news coming out of Japan seems to be going unnoticed. That is, on 16 November 2009 Yamaha Jubilo announced that they would not be renewing professional rugby contracts for next season effective April 2010.

In tough economic times, Yamaha have made the corporate decision to dramatically cut back on their commitment to rugby by not renewing the professional contracts they have with seventeen players, including all overseas players. Thus, Yamaha are to revert to a company employees only based team and so the ball will be in the court of the eight contracted Japanese players such as fullback Ayumu Goromaru and halfback Yuki Yatomi as to whether they move on in order to pursue their professional rugby careers or stay as salaried company workers who also happen to play a bit of rugby on the weekends and train midweek after a long day at work.

Of course, the overseas players and also the overseas coaching staff do not have that choice to make, as the only option available to them will be to seek greener pastures elsewhere. For the 2009-10 season, Yamaha have a total of nine overseas players as well as two overseas personnel on the coaching staff. This includes, former All Black lock or backrower Reuben Thorne now in his second year with the club, former All Black backrower Mose Tuiali’i who only joined the team this season, former Fijian representatives in centre Waisake Sotutu and No8 Deryck Thomas along with New Zealanders centre Grant McQuoid and five-eighth Male Sa’u, Korean prop Sung-Koo Pak, South African born lock Rory Duncan and centre Joshua Levi from Samoa. The head coach at Yamaha this season is former All Black Kevin Schuler who has a long association with the team both as a player and as a member of the coaching staff, while Keith Roberts also from New Zealand is registered as a trainer.

While this news was breaking, Yamaha had halfback Yuki Yatomi (24) and fullbacks Ayumu Goromaru (23) and Kaoru Matsushita (25) in the extended Japan squad for the two-test series against the touring Canadian side over November. As young players with potentially many years of international rugby ahead of them the fact that Yamaha are cutting back must be causing them grief. It is also worrying for the future of other internationals in the 2009-10 Yamaha squad such as tight head prop and captain Ryo Yamamura (28), lock or backrower Hajime Kiso (31), prop Shigeyasu Takagi (34), halfback Takashi Sato (28) and five-eighth and vice-captain Tatsuhiko Otao (27). Yamamura played the last of his 39 tests during the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, but as captain of Yamaha for the past two seasons he is far from a spent force. Kiso turned out for Japan as recently as the two home tests against the USA in November 2008, though he now must be questioning his future in the game. Otao played in six of the eight spring tests this year (2009) and he too must be left wondering where he will be playing next season. Japan simply cannot afford to lose the rugby talents of these players.

If, along with all the overseas players, the cream of the Japanese crop at Yamaha is not there next year then life in Top League will become unsustainable. Yamaha are currently in dialog with the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) on this very issue but in all likelihood the probability that Yamaha will be forced to drop out of Top League for the 2010-11 season is extremely high.

There have been other casualties in corporate Japanese rugby since the economic woes of autumn 2008, but none as big as Yamaha. Kobe based World Fighting Bull, Chiba based IBM Japan Big Blue and Saitama based Secom Rugguts all preceded Yamaha this spring in not renewing professional contracts and reverting to the old way of life as a social team for company employees. Things did not work out too good for World as the name has all but disappeared, while both IBM and Secom are struggling even in the Kanto based Top East competition without the bulk of their sides from last year.

World started life in 1984 and played in the first four seasons of Top League finishing as high as fifth in 2003-4. However, the wheels fell off in the 2006-7 season when they finished a distant last and were automatically relegated. World then played out of the Kansai based Top West competition for two seasons before calling it a day at the end of the 2008-9 season. Players of note to leave World included Japan five-eight Shaun Webb who moved to Coca-Cola and Samoan captain and No8 George Stowers who is now with London Irish.

Established in 1976, IBM were in and out of Top League but played in four of the first six seasons before they were relegated at the end of last season (2008-9) for the second time. The timing was not good because along with the drop the mother company felt it was a good time to trim its commitment to rugby. IBM are playing in Top East this season (2009-10) but after losing a host of players they are struggling mid table. Players of note to leave IBM included captain and fullback Tadanobu Ko who moved to Kintetsu and Japan hooker Yoshimitsu Yasue who is now playing with Kobe.

Secom were another team in and out of Top League. Established in 1985, they played in three of the first four seasons before being relegated along with World at the end of the 2006-7 season. Secom played out of Top East over the next two seasons but just could not edge their way back into Top League. At the end of the 2008-9 season the company went down the same path as World and IBM in not renewing professional contracts and reverting to a strictly company based team. Players of note to leave Secom included two metre lock Manabu Suzuki who moved to Toshiba and former Waratahs and Brumbies backrower Jone Tawake.

However, the case for Yamaha is quite different to the above three former Top League sides. World, IBM and Secom all struggled during their respective periods in Top League and the company decisions to cut back on rugby were made when the teams were playing outside of Top League. Yamaha, on the other hand, have been a top shelf side over the first six seasons of Top League, and they currently sit in fifth place on the table at the halfway mark in this, the seventh season (2009-10).

Yamaha Motor Company, Jubilo were established in 1984 and share superb facilities that include the purpose built Yamaha Stadium with their more celebrated soccer counterparts of the same name at Iwata city in Shizuoka prefecture. In the first six seasons of Top League, Yamaha finished runner-up in 2004-5, while they have finished third on two occasions and seventh three times, including the past two seasons. After seven rounds of the 2009-10 season Yamaha are in fifth place from three wins, two losses and two draws. They were also runner-up in the 2004 Microsoft Cup when they lost 20-6 to Toshiba in the final. They have also reached the semi-final stages of the National Championship three times when they have qualified over the past six years. Yamaha have been close on a number of occasions but they have no trophies of silverware to boast of and with their star fading somewhat over the last couple of years the management at Yamaha made some serious decisions in difficult economic times for the company.

This fall from grace for Yamaha has sent out a message that the semi-professional Top League Competition is built on very tenuous foundations indeed. The demise of World, IBM and Secom seemed to be on the sidelines but this shock news from Yamaha comes from the heart of the premier Japanese corporate rugby competition. A few lean years and none of the major Top League clubs are immune from what is about to happen to Yamaha Rugby.

One only has to scratch the surface at a club like Sanyo to realise that should they stop being successful the axe may fall there too. Why, even after winning their second National Championship title in a row in the beginning of the year, the Sanyo top brass came out in the press with the acknowledgement that they would continue to support their rugby team while they are winning. Reading between the lines, with Sanyo being taken over by Panasonic, in a few years time the latter ain’t gonna’ bother with a not so competitive rugby team bearing the name of a company they absorbed should the case arise.

NEC is another top club that is hurting in the current economic climate. The electronics maker was mean and lean in its recruitment of players for 2009-10 indicating the purse strings are pretty tight and with only one win on the scoreboard they sit in the very unfamiliar position of third from the bottom of the table after seven rounds. Thus, it is not too fanciful to think that NEC board members might carefully follow what is happening at Yamaha with a view to implementing similar changes on their own turf.

Over the past year a number of Japanese companies have been withdrawing from major world sports, including rugby in an effort to consolidate balance sheets. For example, Toyota and Honda, who also field Top League sides have withdrawn from Formula One motor racing, while Subaru cut their links with rallying.

Furthermore, it would only take one or two senior executives at Toyota and Honda to suggest they extend the cost cutting strategies to their rugby teams in the same way they approached Formula One and these two sides too could decide to cancel professional contracts and go back to being social rugby sides playing in local competitions. This is only the first year in Top League for Honda and winless after seven rounds the signs are there that they will be relegated at the end of this season, so back in the regional Top West competition the company might be less inclined to pour money into their rugby team, exactly like what happened at IBM. Toyota, on the other hand, are one of the top shelf corporate rugby sides running around in Japan with a history dating back to 1941 and their loss would be a serious blow to Top League, up there with the loss of Yamaha.

One only has to extrapolate, and top sides like Sanyo, NEC and Toyota along with second tier sides like Honda too could be gone in the not too distant future. Making matters worse, there are not the teams out there to replace the likes of Yamaha, Sanyo, NEC and Toyota, let alone World, IBM, Secom and Honda. Take these teams out of the company rugby equation in Japan and the cupboard is left looking pretty bare.

In turn, other Top League sides such as Suntory, Toshiba, Kobe, Kubota and Kintetsu may feel they are throwing good money after bad if the status and standard of Top League is dramatically reduced. And Bingo! All of a sudden Top League has collapsed like a house of cards in something of a domino effect. RiJ is not trying to be the Grim Reaper here but the warning signs are there, just like with global warming, that all is not right and the current “She’ll be right mate” attitude could be fatal.

This writer is of the opinion that the JRFU has no contingency plan in place should Top League go pear-shaped. The JRFU is not known for its vision and forward planning and so surely this shock revelation from Yamaha has caught the Union on the hop, especially with the major universities and company teams holding as much power as they do. Top League was a Godsend for senior rugby in Japan when it unified corporate rugby into a strong single competition in 2003-4, but it is far from perfect and the story does not end there. Without a doubt, Top League has made significant strides forward but seven years down the track, the time is rapidly approaching when this competition, along with rugby in Japan in general, has to be radically restructured to maintain its relevance in the present and provide a base for strong growth into the future.

The crux of the problem lies in the fact that senior level rugby in Japan is based on corporate teams who have all their eggs in the one basket. One company and that company alone supports a rugby team bearing its name and its name only. It is a company team of that company and for that company first and foremost with weak links outside the company. It is like an inverted pyramid in that the base is very weak and everything else is top heavy and senior management can have a huge influence on the rugby set up at the company should the situation prevail. The support base for these teams is also extremely narrow. Although corporate teams try their best to extend the hand of rugby into their local communities their real bread and butter support is from the internal structures of the company itself. As a result, there were no howls of protest or demonstrations on the streets of Kobe, Chiba or Saitama to “Save Our Team” for World, IBM and Secom. Consequently, do not expect cake stalls on the streets of Iwata or yakitori sizzles in the local Izakaya in an effort to raise money to keep Thorne and Goromaru at Yamaha. The interest in the local community just is not there, while the most likely reaction within the companies themselves will be: shoganai! (Too bad!) At the end of the day, the workers who like their rugby and support their company team would probably be just as content to fly the flag at a local competition as they would should their team be playing in Top League. Rugby is not set to completely die at Yamaha but the world view and expectations will be drastically curtailed.

RiJ has been saying it over and over and over again, but the fundamental structures of rugby in Japan need to be drastically reformed to take Japan into the future and realise that dream of making this country a long-term top ten country on the world scene. Japan needs a dynamic world class domestic competition and regionalising rugby teams, getting local mums, dads and families to games, sharing the corporate load and diversifying and expanding the base are crucial elements in the development and growth of domestic rugby and in turn the fate of the national team in the lead up to Japan hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Japan were ranked 22 in the IRB Rankings just a few short years ago but under the guidance of head coach John Kirwan, Japan hit a record high of 13 this week (16 November 2009 rankings) after beating Canada in the first test. In concrete terms, Japan continues to improve on the world stage, but on the home front a reformation is called for.

The Draw

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

Sevens

The East Asia Championship is 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 from 2016 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. There is also the hint of having Sevens as a non-medal demonstration sport at the London Games in 2012 should the sport be officially included for 2016 and beyond.