2011 Japan High Schools Team Tour to Scotland and Wales

 

29.03.2011

Results

Game 1:

Japan High Schools 22 d Glasgow Hawks U20 5

Date: Thursday, 17 March 2011

Venue: Old Anniesland, Glasgow, Scotland

Kick-off: 19:30 local Scotland time (04:30, Friday 18 March 2011, Japan time)

Halftime: Japan High Schools 15 – Glasgow Hawks U20 5

Yellow Card: No.22 Kosuke Kigami (not rolling away at breakdown)

NB: 35 minutes halves

 

Japan High Schools: 1- Kengo Kitagawa, 2- Takuya Kitade, 3- Yuto Sato, 4- Naohiro Kotaki, 5- Shinya Osugi, 6- Hayato Nishiuchi, 7- Hiroki Yamamoto, 8- Ryota Suginaga, 9- Ryohei Murashima, 10- Shunsuke Nunomaki (c), 11- Hajime Yamashita, 12- Kim Yon-Hi, 13- Mosese Tonga, 14- Sho Takenaka and 15- Yoshikazu Fujita.

Reserves: 16- Kanta Higashionna, 17- Shoya Matsunami, 18- Raiko Katsuki, 19- Hideaki Suzuki, 20- Shohei Nishimura, 21- Yutaro Murai, 22- Kosuke Kigami, 23- Joji Sato, 24- Takuya Ishibashi and 25- Seiyu Kohara.

 

Scorers for Japan High Schools: Tries: Hajime Yamashita, Hayato Nishiuchi and Yoshikazu Fujita; Conversions: Yoshikazu Fujita 2; Penalty: Yoshikazu Fujita.

 

Wrap-up

In the first game of the tour, Japan High Schools beat a Glasgow Hawks U20 development side 22-5 in Glasgow. The Japanese Schoolboys outscored their opponents three tries to one with the first five-pointer coming inside the opening minute of play when left wing Hajime Yamashita scooted over the opposition try line. The visitors extended their lead to 8-0 in the eleventh minute with a penalty to fullback Yoshikazu Fujita before flanker Hayato Nishiuchi scored the second Japanese try from a lineout maul in the twenty-third minute of the half. Fujita landed the conversion to push the lead out to 15-0 before the hosts closed out the half with a late try to take the teams to the break with the Japan Schoolboys leading 15-5. Japan were forced to defend for much of the second half with the first points in the latter half only coming in the twenty-forth minute with a try to Fujita from a counter-attack. Fujita converted his own try to see the Japan High Schools side out to a handy 22-5 lead and from that point on no changes were made to the score line with the visitors going on to open their tour account with a hard-fought win.

 

Japan High Schools captain Shunsuke Nunomaki speaking after the win over Glasgow Hawks U20.

 

Comments by Head Coach Hideyuki Matsui

First of all, I would like to send my condolences to those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. We also would like to express our gratitude for being allowed to undertake this tour under such circumstances. As a touring squad we thought about what we could do and decided to play out the tour with three key phrases in mind, that is, ‘be positive’, ‘be brave’ and ‘be impressive.’ In the game, the boys played their best and tackled their hearts out. There is still a long way to go on this tour but we hope this result bring a bit of joy to everyone back in Japan.

 

Comments by Captain Shunsuke Nunomaki

Our aim on this tour is to win despite the fact teams we face are generally of a higher standard than us. We want this to bring some hope to those suffering back in Japan. We want to express our gratitude for being able to tour under such difficult circumstances and we vow to play to the best of our abilities.

 

 

Game 2:

Japan High Schools 20 d Scotland U18 13

Date: Sunday, 20 March 2011

Venue: GHA Rugby Club Ground, Braidholm, Glasgow, Scotland

Kick-off: 14:00 local Scotland time (23:00 Japan time)

Halftime: Japan High Schools 10 – Scotland U18 8

Yellow Card: No.13 Mosese Tonga (repeated team infringements)

NB: 35 minutes halves

 

Japan High Schools: 1- Kengo Kitagawa, 2- Takuya Kitade, 3- Yuto Sato, 4- Hiroki Yamamoto, 5- Shinya Osugi, 6- Takuya Ishibashi, 7- Hayato Nishiuchi, 8- Ryota Suginaga, 9- Ryohei Murashima, 10- Shunsuke Nunomaki (c), 11- Hajime Yamashita, 12- Kim Yon-Hi, 13- Mosese Tonga, 14- Sho Takenaka and 15- Yoshikazu Fujita.

Reserves: 16- Kanta Higashionna, 17- Shoya Matsunami, 18- Raiko Katsuki, 19- Hideaki Suzuki, 20- Shohei Nishimura, 21- Yutaro Murai, 22- Kosuke Kigami, 23- Joji Sato, 24- Naohiro Kotaki and 25- Seiyu Kohara.

 

Scorers for Japan High Schools: Tries: Hayato Nishiuchi 2, Hiroki Yamamoto and Hajime Yamashita.

 

Wrap-up

In the second game of the tour, Japan High Schools beat Scotland U18 20-13 at the Glasgow Hutchesons’ Aloysians Rugby Football Club ground at Braidholm in the South Glasgow suburb of Giffnock. This was the first time in 14 years for the Japan High Schools to beat their Scottish counterparts since the 1996 schoolboys side under captain Shotaro Onishi. In this game, flanker Hayato Nishiuchi continued his try scoring form from the first game when he touched down for the first of his two tries for the afternoon in only the second minute from a drive-over maul. This was followed by a five-pointer to lock Hiroki Yamamoto in the sixteenth minute from a close out scrum to open up a valuable 10-0 lead. However, with centre Mosese Tonga in the sinbin, the young Scots fought back late in the half with a penalty and a try to five-eighth Tommy Allan to take the teams to halftime with the hosts trailing 10-8. The second half turned into an arm wrestle before wing Jamie Farndale broke the deadlock and put Scotland U18 in front for the first time in the test when he scored from a cross kick in the twentieth minute. The conversion went astray but with the home side leading 13-10 it looked a safe bet they would go on to close out the game. However, this was not to be the case as the visitors kept their composure and fought back with a try to wing Hajime Yamashita in the twenty-fifth minute when the Japanese scrum won a tighthead  to recapture the lead for Japan High Schools at 15-13. Japan withstood Scottish pressure before Nishiuchi put the result beyond doubt at the death with his second try from a driving maul to seal an emotional 20-13 win for the Japan Schoolboys.

 

Japan High Schools scrum down against Scotland U18.

 

Comments by Head Coach Hideyuki Matsui

It was very pleasing to beat Scotland U18 for the first time in fourteen years. It also proved that the coordinated coaching system approach put in place for this tour is working. Furthermore, we hope this win can spark a sense of resilience and bravery in Japan in the aftermath of the Tohoku-Kanto earthquake and tsunami. In this test, the team played as one and put in a big effort in defence while they proved themselves in coming back under immense pressure. Our aim is to win all four games on tour and this puts us in good stead for Wales and the remaining two games.

 

Comments by Captain Shunsuke Nunomaki

I believe our win here today was built on our defence. Our aim for this tour is to win all four games and thereby help to lift the spirits of Japan and from far away here in Scotland and Wales we are going to give it our best over the remaining two games for the people of Japan.

 

 

Game 3:

Newport Gwent Dragons Academy 31 d Japan High Schools 22

Date: Wednesday, 23 March 2011

Venue: Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales

Kick-off: 15:00 local Wales time (00:00 Thursday 24 March, Japan time)

Halftime: Japan High Schools 22 – Newport Gwent Dragons Academy 11

NB: 35 minutes halves

 

Japan High Schools: 1- Kengo Kitagawa, 2- Takuya Kitade, 3- Yuto Sato, 4- Hiroki Yamamoto, 5- Shinya Osugi, 6- Takuya Ishibashi, 7- Hayato Nishiuchi, 8- Ryota Suginaga, 9- Ryohei Murashima, 10- Shunsuke Nunomaki (c), 11- Hajime Yamashita, 12- Kim Yon-Hi, 13- Mosese Tonga, 14- Sho Takenaka and 15- Yoshikazu Fujita.

Reserves: 16- Kanta Higashionna, 17- Shoya Matsunami, 18- Raiko Katsuki, 19- Hideaki Suzuki, 20- Shohei Nishimura, 21- Yutaro Murai, 22- Kosuke Kigami, 23- Joji Sato, 24- Naohiro Kotaki and 25- Seiyu Kohara.

 

Scorers for Japan High Schools: Tries: Hayato Nishiuchi 2 and Hiroki Yamamoto; Conversions: Hajime Yamashita 2; Penalty: Hajime Yamashita.

 

Wrap-up

In the third game of the tour, Newport Gwent Dragons Academy beat Japan High Schools 31-22 at the Rodney Parade stadium in Newport in south Wales. The young Japan side conceded a try to centre Hallam Amos in the opening minute of play but they fought back with lock Hiroki Yamamoto finishing off some solid build up work with a try in the fifth minute with the Hajime Yamashita conversion giving the Japan Schoolboys a 7-5 lead. The Academy side regained the lead in the seventh minute with an Ethan Davies penalty only for Yamashita to land a penalty to edge Japan High Schools back in front 10-8. The Welsh boys hit the front again 11-10 with a further penalty in the fourteenth minute but it was the visitors that finished the first half stronger with two tries to flanker Hayato Nishiuchi giving them a 22-11 lead at the break. However, the hosts turned up the pressure in the second half and made the most of their opportunities when they came along with a penalty in the fifth minute and then a converted try to wing Dom Franchi in the fourteenth minute to close the gap to 22-21. From there a twenty-seventh minute penalty kicked the junior Newport Gwent Dragons back into the lead 24-22 and from that point on they were never headed. A late try to captain and No8 Cameron Regan for the home side closed out the game 31-22. Unfortunately for Japan High Schools this put an end to their aim of winning all four games on tour and although the boys did their best a high penalty count and problems with the lineout and goal kicking contributed to the loss.

 

Comments by Head Coach Hideyuki Matsui

This was the third tough, physical game on tour and it took its toll on the style of play we wanted to play. Fatigue set in as the second half wore on and penalties cost us badly on the scoreboard handing a lot of the control of the game to our opposition. However, at times in this game we still managed to show our game style of low, fast and tough rugby. With one game left on tour we want to go out and play our Japanese style of rugby to help encourage everyone at home with a good result.

 

Comments by Captain Shunsuke Nunomaki

This loss today was a good lesson for us. Although this loss now means we cannot complete the tour undefeated, we are going to play to our best in the final game so that we can fulfil another of our aims for the tour in helping the people of Japan get back on their feet.

 

 

Game 4:

Wales President’s U18 XV 39 d Japan High Schools 27

Date: Saturday 26 March 2011

Venue: Pandy Park, Crosskeys, Wales

Kick-off: 18:30 local Wales time (03:30, Sunday, 27 March 2011, Japan time)

Halftime: Wales President’s U18 XV 17 – Japan High Schools 15

NB: 35 minutes halves

 

Japan High Schools: 1- Kengo Kitagawa, 2- Takuya Kitade, 3- Yuto Sato, 4- Hiroki Yamamoto, 5- Shinya Osugi, 6- Takuya Ishibashi, 7- Hayato Nishiuchi, 8- Ryota Suginaga, 9- Ryohei Murashima, 10- Shunsuke Nunomaki (c), 11- Hajime Yamashita, 12- Kim Yon-Hi, 13- Mosese Tonga, 14- Sho Takenaka and 15- Yoshikazu Fujita.

Reserves: 16- Kanta Higashionna, 17- Shoya Matsunami, 18- Raiko Katsuki, 19- Hideaki Suzuki, 20- Shohei Nishimura, 21- Yutaro Murai, 22- Kosuke Kigami, 23- Joji Sato, 24- Naohiro Kotaki and 25- Seiyu Kohara.

 

Scorers for Japan High Schools: Tries: Ryota Suginaga 2, Sho Takenaka, Hayato Nishiuchi and Hiroki Yamamoto; Conversion: Yoshikazu Fujita.

 

Wrap-up

In the fourth and final game of the tour, the Wales President’s U18 XV defeated Japan High Schools 39-27 at Pandy Park, the home ground of Cross Keys Rugby Football Club in the village of Crosskeys outside Newport in south Wales. In a free-flowing game the hosts scored six tries to five and took the game after leading 17-15 at halftime. For the Welsh side, centre Jason Williams and wing Ryan Evans scored two tries each, while flanker Dan Thomas and wing Aaron Evans scored the other five pointers. Five-eighth Rhys Pratchell landed two conversions and a penalty while Williams also kicked a conversion. For Japan High Schools, No8 Ryota Suginaga scored a try in each half, and when flanker Hayato Nishiuchi touched down in the tenth minute of the second half it gave him the unique record of having scored tries in all four games on tour. Right wing Sho Takenaka and lock Hiroki Yamamoto were the other try scorers. In another poor kicking performance, the Japanese could only convert one of the five tries through fullback Yoshikazu Fujita.

 

Comments by Head Coach Hideyuki Matsui

This tour brought out both the strengths and weaknesses in Japanese rugby in equal proportions. The strengths of low, fast, tough and running rugby were highly praised as we played through Scotland and Wales. However, our main weakness was making crucial mistakes under pressure. Nevertheless, these boys showed that have got what it takes to win away against traditionally strong rugby countries and this is a very satisfying aspect to come out of this tour. This was an extremely valuable tour for both the players and the staff especially as it was played out under the shadow of the Tohoku-Kanto earthquake and tsunami.

 

Comments by Captain Shunsuke Nunomaki

Although we lost today the guys played for each other. We also had in mind that we were playing to cheer up the people of Japan after the earthquake and tsunami. We really came together as a team on this tour and we all learnt a lot, not just about things rugby. I would like to thank everyone for their support.

 

 

24.03.2011

The 2011 Japan High Schools team that represents the 2010-11 school year is the thirty-sixth edition of the Japan schoolboys representatives. The 2011 Japan Schoolboys will undertake a 4-match tour of Scotland and Wales from 14-29 March 2011, including age grade test matches against Scotland U18s and Wales President’s XV, giving this group the rare opportunity to play tests against two different countries on the one tour.

 

The Japan High Schools will head to Europe for the third year in a row after touring France in March 2010 and England in March 2009. Prior to that, the Japan High Schools travelled to Australia for three years in a row over July and August from 2005 to 2007 while the French U18s toured Japan for two games in August 2008.

 

The 2011 Japan High Schools squad is a stepping stone for developing Japan national squad players ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be hosted by Japan. In eight years time it can be said that many players in this current schoolboy age bracket will form the core of the national team in 2019, and so in that respect this tour is something of a simulated approach of what these stars of tomorrow can expect in 2019.

 

Part of the preparation for this tour has been the coordinated approach in coaching with staff from both the Japan U20s and the full national side helping to prepare the squad. Coaching director Ryuji Nakatake and U20s head coach Yukio Motoki have been on hand as well as national head coach John Kirwan and his coaching team. Part of the coordinated Japanese style of rugby is summed up by the concepts of ‘low’, ‘fast’, ‘tough’ and ‘running rugby’.

 

In the 26-man squad, five-eighth Shunsuke Nunomaki and wings Sho Takenaka and Seiyu Kohara were also members of the 2010 Japan High School tour to France. Furthermore, Nunomaki has also been named in the 32-man provisional Japan U20 squad for the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament in Georgia over late May and early June 2011.

 

 

Schedule

Game 1:

Glasgow Hawks U20 v Japan High Schools

Date: Thursday 17 March 2011

Venue: Glasgow, Scotland

Kick-off: 19:30 (local time)

 

Game 2:

Scotland U18 v Japan High Schools

Date: Sunday 20 March 2011

Venue: Glasgow, Scotland

Kick-off: 14:00 (local time)

 

Game 3:

Newport Gwent Dragons Academy v Japan High Schools

Date: Wednesday 34 March 2011

Venue: Newport, Wales

Kick-off: 15:00 (local time)

 

Game 4:

Wales President’s XV v Japan High Schools

Date: Saturday 26 March 2011

Venue: Crosskeys, Wales

Kick-off: 18:30 (local time)

 

 

26-man Japan High Schools Squad 2011

Position

Name

Pref.

School

Height

Weight

Loose Heads

Kengo KITAGAWA

Fukuoka

Higashi Fukuoka

177

105

 

Kanta HIGASHIONNA

Okinawa

Nago

178

108

Hookers

Raiko KATSUKI

Osaka

Josho Gakuen

174

104

 

Takuya KITADE

Osaka

Tokai Gyosei

180

96

Tight Heads

Yuto SATO

Akita

Akita Chuo

182

130

 

Shoya MATSUNAMI

Fukuoka

Higashi Fukuoka

187

109

Locks

Shinya OSUGI

Tokyo

Kugayama

186

93

 

Hiroki YAMAMOTO

Shimane

Iwamichisuikan

187

84

 

Naohiro KOTAKI

Kagoshima

Kagoshima Jitsu

194

99

Flankers

Hayato NISHIUCHI

Fukuoka

Higashi Fukuoka

181

91

 

Hideaki SUZUKI

Nagano

Okaya Kogyo

181

79

 

Takuya ISHIBASHI

Fukuoka

Kokura

180

86

No8s

Joji SATO

Yamanashi

Hikawa

183

94

 

Ryota SUGINAGA

Nagasaki

Nagasaki Nanzan

183

85

Halfbacks

Ryohei MURASHIMA

Osaka

Josho Keiko

164

65

 

Shohei NISHIMURA

Osaka

Tokai Gyosei

165

69

Five-eighths

Yutaro MURAI

Akita

Akita Kogyo

175

71

 

Shunsuke NUNOMAKI

Fukuoka

Higashi Fukuoka

178

91

Centres

Mosese Tonga

Ishikawa

JAL Ishikawa

172

88

 

Kosuke KIGAMI

Kyoto

Fushimi Kogyo

174

72

 

KIM Yon-Hi

Osaka

Osaka Chosen

174

74

Wings

Sho TAKENAKA

Kanagawa

Toin Gakuen

176

88

 

Seiyu KOHARA

Osaka

Tokai Gyosei

183

86

 

Hideto KONDO

Osaka

Tokai Gyosei

177

76

Fullbacks

Yoshikazu FUJITA

Fukuoka

Higashi Fukuoka

181

76

 

Hajime YAMASHITA

Nagasaki

Nagasaki Kita

179

78

 

On 7 March 2011, wing Hideto Kondo was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.

 

Staff

Manager: Yoshiaki Maeda (JRFU).

Assistant manager: Shigeyuki Tanizaki (Higashi Fukuoka).

Head coach: Hideyuki Matsui (Ryukei Kashiwa).

Forwards coach: Noriyuki Yokota (Fukaya).

Backs coach: Naoki Kamitani (Tenri Kyoko Gakuen).

Technical: Koji Sakamoto.

Doctor: Motoyasu Kugimiya.

General: Kayo Yoshida.