RiJ Vol.7 No.1

January 4, 2010

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

 

Contents:

¡       Top League 2009-10 Play-offs

s      

¡       Top League Promotion & Relegation: Top Challenge Series 2009-10

s     NTT Communications one win away from promotion.

¡       47th National Championship 2009-10: Wildcard Tournament

s     Coca-Cola beat Yamaha and NEC triumph over Sanix.

¡       The Grubber Kick:

s     IRB Ranking: 13 (70.59, 4 January 2010)

s      Backchat: The not so wild, Wildcard Tournament.

¡       The Draw:

s     17th National Club Championship.

The Top League Play-off Series 2010

The play-off finals series for Japan Rugby Top League 2009-10 involves the top four finishers. Under the tournament format, the team that finishes first on the final Top League points table plays the team that finishes fourth while second plays third. Consequently, in one semi-final of the 2010 Microsoft Cup, first placed Sanyo Wild Knights (59 points) play fourth placed Toyota Verblitz (48) while in the other semi, second placed Suntory Sungoliath (58) play third placed Toshiba Brave Lupus (52).

 

In 2010, the Microsoft company withdrew its naming rights sponsorship and so the finals will simply be known as the Top League Play-offs. In 2007, 2008 and 2009, the Microsoft Cup acted as the play-off finals series to determine the overall Japan Rugby Top League champion. However, from 2004 to 2006 the Microsoft Cup was a separate knock-out tournament for the top 8 finishers in Top League.

 

 

Previous Play-off (Microsoft Cup) Finals

2009: Toshiba 17 d Sanyo 6.

2008: Suntory 14 d Sanyo 10.

2007: Toshiba 14 d Suntory 13.

2006: Toshiba 33 d Suntory 18.

2005: Toshiba 20 d Yamaha 6.

2004: NEC 24 d Toshiba 19.

 

 

Semi-finals

 

Sanyo (Top League 1) v Toyota (Top League 4)

Date: Sunday, 24 January 2010.

Venue: Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground, Osaka.

Kick-off: 14:00

 

Sanyo at the Microsoft Cup

2009: Runners-up. Beat Suntory 32-22 in semi, then lost to Toshiba 17-6 in final. (Finished second in TL)

2008: Runners-up. Beat Toshiba 25-21 in semi, then lost to Suntory 14-10 in final. (Finished first in TL)

2007: DNQ. (Finished fifth in TL)

2006: lost to Kubota 40-24 in first round.

2005: lost to Toyota in first round 41-21.

2004: beat Kubota 39-31 in first round then lost 34-36 to Toshiba in semis.

 

Toyota at the Microsoft Cup

2009: DNQ. (Finished eighth in TL)

2008: defeated by Suntory 33-10 in semi-final. (Finished third in TL)

2007: defeated by Toshiba 38-33 in semi-final. (Finished fourth in TL)

2006: lost 12-17 to NEC in first round.

2005: beat Sanyo 41-21 in first round & knocked out in SF on a toss of a coin after drawing 33-all with Yamaha.

2004: DNP.

 

 

Recent Encounters

Sanyo 46 d Toyota 19 (TL 2009-10)

Sanyo 27 d Toyota 17 (TL 2008-9)

Sanyo 25 d Toyota 24 (National Championship semi-final 2008)

Sanyo 26 d Toyota 25 (TL 2007-8)

Toyota 23 d Sanyo 20 (TL 2006-7)

Sanyo 26 d Toyota 25 (TL 2005-6)

Toyota 41 d Sanyo 21 (first round Microsoft Cup 2005)

Toyota 35 d Sanyo 13 (TL 2004-5)

Toyota 44 d Sanyo 14 (National Championship 2004)

 

 

Suntory (Top League 2) v Toshiba (Top League 3)

Date: Sunday, 24 January 2010.

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

Kick-off: 14:00.

 

 

Suntory at the Microsoft Cup

2009: lost 32-22 to Sanyo in semi-final. (Finished third in TL)

2008: Champions. Beat Toyota 33-10 in semi then beat Sanyo 14-10 in Final. (Finished second in TL)

2007: Runners-up. Beat Yamaha 40-39 in semi then lost to Toshiba 14-13 in Final. (Finished second in TL)

2006: Runners-up. Beat Yamaha 35-17 in first round & Kubota 44-25 in the semis before losing to Toshiba 33-18 in final.

2005: knocked out by eventual champion Toshiba 33-13 in first round.

2004: knocked out by eventual champion NEC 32-5 in first round.

 

Toshiba at the Microsoft Cup

2009: Champions. Defeated Sanyo 17-6 in final and Kobe 26-7 in semi-final. (Finished first in TL)

2008: lost 25-21 to Sanyo in semi-final. (Finished fourth in TL)

2007: Champions. Defeated Suntory 14-13 in final and Toyota 38-33 in semi-final. (Finished first in TL)

2006: Champions. Defeated Suntory 33-18 in final, NEC 23-10 in semi-final and Kobe 38-7 in first round.

2005: Champions. Defeated Yamaha 20-6 in final, Kobe 41-0 in semi-final and Suntory 33-13 in first round.

2004: Runners-up. Lost to NEC 24-19 in final, beat Sanyo 36-34 in semi-final and Yamaha 39-10 in first round.

 

 

Recent Encounters

Suntory 59 d Toshiba 22 (TL 2009-10)

Toshiba 61 d Suntory 5 (TL 2008-9)

Suntory 25 d Toshiba 14 (semi-final National Championship 2008)

Suntory 10 d Toshiba 3 (TL 2007-8)

Toshiba 14 d Suntory 13 (final Microsoft Cup 2007)

Toshiba 12 d Suntory 10 (TL 2006-7)

Toshiba 33 d Suntory 18 (final Microsoft Cup 2006)

Toshiba 37 d Suntory 6 (TL 2005-6)

Toshiba 33 d Suntory 13 (first round Microsoft Cup 2005)

Toshiba 38 d Suntory 12 (TL 2004-5)

Toshiba 50 d Suntory 10 (TL 2003-4)

 

 

Final

Date: Sunday, 31 January 2010.

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

Kick-off: 14:00.

 

 

 

TOP LEAGUE

 

2009-10 Round 13 (final)

 

 

2009-10 Japan Rugby Top League Round Thirteen (final)

 

Team

P

W

D

L

F

A

Diff

BP1

BP2

Pts

1

Sanyo

13

12

1

0

534

175

359

9

-

59

2

Suntory

13

11

2

0

571

196

375

10

-

58

3

Toshiba

13

10

0

3

436

276

160

10

2

52

4

Toyota

13

10

1

2

394

219

175

6

-

48

5

Kobe

13

7

1

4

344

304

40

6

2

38

6

Kubota

13

6

0

7

313

339

-26

4

3

31

7

Sanix

13

6

0

7

311

371

-60

5

2

31

8

Coca-Cola

13

7

0

6

299

448

-149

3

-

31

9

Yamaha

13

5

2

6

311

327

-16

3

2

30

10

NEC

13

4

0

9

224

280

-56

4

5

25

11

Kintetsu

13

4

1

8

218

348

-130

3

2

23

12

Ricoh

13

4

0

9

262

422

-160

1

2

19

13

Honda

13

1

0

12

255

464

-209

2

4

10

14

Kyuden

13

0

0

13

199

502

-303

2

2

4

Four points for win, two for draw, one bonus point for four tries or more (BP1) and one bonus point for losing by seven or less (BP2).

The top four finishers qualify for the Microsoft Cup 2010, the finals series for the 2009-10 Top League season.

The top four finishers automatically qualify for the 47th National Championship 2010 with the teams that finish 5th to 10th playing off to determine the final 2 Top League teams.

The bottom two finishers are automatically relegated to regional leagues for the 2010-11 season.

The teams that finish 11th and 12th go through the promotion and relegation play-offs against regional challengers to retain their places in Top League for 2010-11.

 

 

 

Top League Promotion & Relegation: Top Challenge Series 2009-10

Top Challenge One (TC1)

At the completion of the thirteen rounds of Top League, the two bottom teams, that is the teams that finish thirteenth and fourteenth, are automatically relegated. These two relegated sides are then replaced by the two teams that finish first and second in the Top Challenge series. The teams that top the three regional leagues below Top League, that is Top East, Top West and Top Kyushu, play each other once with the top two sides gaining automatic promotion to Top League for the 20010-11 season. The team that finishes third in TC1 has a second bite of the cherry in a one-off Promotion and Relegation play-off with the team that finished twelfth in Top League in 2009-10, that is, Ricoh Black Rams. This year, NTT Communications (Top East), Toyota Jido Shokki (Top West) and Mazda Zoomers (Top Kyushu) will contest TC1 with the top two finishers gaining automatic promotion to Top League to replace relegated Honda Heat and Kyuden Voltex. NTT Communications are aiming for promotion to Top League for the first time, as are Toyota Jido Shokki and Mazda.

 

2009-10 Top Challenge One

Saturday, 16 January 2010,

NTT Communications (Top East 1) 43 d Mazda (Top Kyushu 1) 0

Coca-Cola West Hiroshima Stadium, 14:00.

NTT Communications only held a 7-0 lead at the break, but powered home in the second half on the back of two early tries from former All Black backrower Brad Mika. Former Wallabies and Brumbies fullback Mark Gerrard also contributed a try and three conversions.

 

Saturday, 23 January 2010, Toyota Jido Shokki (Top West 1) v Mazda (Top Kyushu 1), Hanazono, Osaka, 14:00.

 

Saturday, 30 January 2010, NTT Communications (Top East 1) v Toyota Jido Shokki (Top West 1), Chichibu, Tokyo, 14:00.

 

 

Top Challenge Two (TC2)

The three sides that finish in second position in their respective regional leagues take part in TC2. These three sides play each other once with the top side winning the right to take on Kintetsu Liners, the team that finished 11th in Top League in 2009-10, for a place in Top League for next season. The other two sides are then finished for the season. This year, Yokogawa Atlastars (Top East), NTT Docomo (Top West) and Chugoku Electric (Top Kyushu) will contest TC2. Yokogawa Atlastars defeated Mitsubishi Dyna Boars 35-30 on Monday, 11 January 2010 at Chichibu in Tokyo in the play-off for second place in Kanto.

 

2009-10 Top Challenge Two

Saturday, 16 January 2010,

Yokogawa Atlastars (Top East 2) 81 d Chugoku Electric (Top Kyushu 2) 17

Coca-Cola West Hiroshima Stadium, 12:00.

Yokogawa are still in the fight to regain their place in Top League with a thirteen tries to two, 81-17 win over Chugoku Denki. Former Wallabies wing Scott Staniforth ran in three tries to help keep his side in the hunt for a play-off spot against Kintetsu Liners. Yokogawa played one year in Top League in the 2008-9 season.

 

Saturday, 23 January 2010, NTT Docomo (Top West 2) v Chugoku Electric (Top Kyushu 2), Hanazono, Osaka, 12:00.

 

Saturday, 30 January 2010, Yokogawa Atlastars (Top East 2) v NTT Docomo (Top West 2), Chichibu, Tokyo, 12:00.

 

 

Final Promotion & Relegation Play-offs

Date: Saturday, 13 February 2010.

Venue: TBA.

 

Kintetsu Liners (Top League 11) v winner of Top Challenge 2.

 

Ricoh Black Rams (Top League 12) v the team that finishes third in Top Challenge 1.

 

 

The 47th National Championship 2010:

Prior to 2009, the National Championship (NC) had an 8-team format for three years, but for 2009 the number of teams was increased to ten with the inclusion of two extra Top League sides. The NC involves 6 Top League sides, the two top university teams, the winner of Top Challenge and the Top Club team. The first round of the NC kicks off on Sunday, 7 February 2010.

 

For 2010 the Wildcard Tournament was introduced for the Top League sides that finished fifth to tenth on the final table. These six sides play off over two weekends to determine the final two Top League participants after the top four Top League finishers gained automatic qualification.

 

The two universities that participated in the 46th National University Championship final gained admission to the NC. Teikyo University defeated Tokai University 14-13 in the final and consequently Teikyo as University 1 play the top club side in the first round while Tokai as University 2 play the team that finishes first in the Top Challenge series as the Top Challenger.

 

This year, NTT Communications (Top East), Toyota Jido Shokki (Top West) and Mazda Zoomers (Top Kyushu) contested Top Challenge One series with the winner gaining automatic entry to the NC as the Top Challenger.

 

Komaba WMM and Rokko Club played in the final of the 17th National Club Championship to determine the Top Club participant in the NC.

 

 

Top League Qualification to the NC for Teams Fifth to Tenth: Wildcard Tournament.

Coca-Cola (Top League 8) 31 d Yamaha (Top League 9) 17

Date: Saturday, 16 January 2010.

Venue: Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground.

Kick-off: 12:00.

 

Coca-Cola beat Yamaha 31-17 to progress to a showdown with Kobe Steelers next Saturday. Coca-Cola led from the start and held a 11-3 lead at halftime before upping the ante in the second half with a further 20 points. Five-eighth Shaun Webb was again a potent force for Coca-Cola in this match with a try, two conversions, three penalties and a drop goal. Yamaha managed two converted tries in the second half but it was never going to be enough to overcome a free-flowing Coca-Cola.

 

NEC (Top League 10) 33 d Sanix (Top League 7) 5

Date: Saturday, 16 January 2010.

Venue: Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground.

Kick-off: 14:00.

 

After winning their final three games, NEC scraped into the Wildcard tournament in last place, however, the Green Rockets were impressive in beating Sanix 33-5. NEC lead 14-5 at halftime and then kept Sanix scoreless in the second half while adding a further 19 points to their score. Five-eighth Takeshi Matsuo kept the scoreboard ticking over with a try and four conversions. NEC will now meet Kubota in Tokyo next Saturday for a place in the National Championship.

 

 

Kubota (Top League 6) v NEC (Top League 10).

Date: Saturday, 23 January 2010.

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

Kick-off: 12:00.

 

Kobe (Top League 5) v Coca-Cola (Top League 8).

Date: Saturday, 23 January 2010.

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

Kick-off: 14:00.

 

 

First Round

Sunday, 7 February 2010.

Xxxx (Top League xx) v xxxx (Top League Wildcard), Chichibu or Hanazono, 12:00 or 14:00.

Teikyo (University 1) v Komaba WMM or Rokko Club (Top Club), Chichibu or Hanazono, 12:00 or 14:00.

Tokai (University 2) v xxxx (Top Challenger), Chichibu or Hanazono, 12:00 or 14:00.

Xxxx (Top League xx) v xxxx (Top League Wildcard), Chichibu or Hanazono, 12:00 or 14:00.

 

Second Round

Sunday, 14 February 2010.

Winner of Xxxx (Top League xx) v xxxx (Wildcard) and Teikyo (University 1) v Komaba WMM or Rokko Club (Top Club), Chichibu, 12:00 or 14:00.

Winner of Tokai (University 2) v xxxx (Top Challenger) and Xxxx (Top League xx) v xxxx (Wildcard), Chichibu, 12:00 or 14:00.

 

Semi-finals

Saturday, 20 February 2010.

Sanyo or Suntory (Top League 1 or 2) v xxxx, Chichibu or Hanazono, 12:00 or 14:00.

Sanyo or Suntory (Top League 1 or 2) v xxxx, Chichibu or Hanazono, 12:00 or 14:00.

 

Final

Sunday, 28 February 2010.

Chichibu.

 

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 4 January 2010 - Japan were 13 (70.59).

 

Backchat:

The not so wild, Wildcard Tournament.

Well, the first round of the Wildcard Tournament for the six Top League sides that finished fifth to tenth on the table took place on the weekend. The Wildcard Tournament was introduced this year in an effort to increase the number of games for Top League teams with the tournament being used to determine the final two Top League participants in the national Championship.

 

The top four finishers on the final Top League table move into the play-offs to determine the ultimate champion while also gaining automatic admission to the ten team National Championship. Last season the number of Top League sides in the Championship was increased from four to six automatic entrants but this year the six teams from fifth to tenth are fighting it out for the remaining two spots.

 

In theory at least it is not a bad idea, but in reality it has not grabbed media interest or generated much excitement out there in the general public. Just over a thousand people showed up for the double header at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka on Saturday (16 January 2010) to see Coca-Cola beat Yamaha 31-17, followed by NEC beating Sanix 33-5, made worse by the fact that the games were not shown on J-Sports. For most people out there, the games never happened.

 

If the Japan Rugby Football Union and the Top League organisers are really serious about increasing the number of games in a meaningful way then a second round should be introduced. As it stands at present, the 14 teams participating in Top League play each other once over 13 rounds that are drawn out over five months with just about as many non-round weekends as there are round weekends.

 

RiJ has long been an ardent advocate for reducing the number of teams from fourteen to twelve or even ten and introducing a second round. With a twelve team competition there would be 22 games for each side over the two rounds while there would be 18 games in a ten team competition.

 

With this Wildcard format, these six teams will get one or maybe two extra games under their belts as they prepare for the lop-sided National Championship, but is would be better for all concerned if the National Championship was axed completely and more competitive Top League games were played instead. Better still, compress the Top League season and introduce a truly national NPC style tournament to end the season and bingo, senior level rugby is starting to look attractive to both media and the fans alike.

 

All-in-all, the Wildcard Tournament and the National Championship that follows does not appear to be the way to a bigger, better and brighter future for rugby in Japan.

 

The Draw

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

 

17th National Club Championship: the winner of the Club Championship will enter the National Championship as the Top Club team.

 

Final

Komaba WMM v Rokko Club.

Date: Sunday, 24 January 2010.

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

Kick-off: 12:00.

This game will be played prior to the Top League Play-off semi-final between Suntory and Toshiba.