RUGBY JERSEY – November 10, 2024 Kanto University Rugby League Group 6:

Tokai University vs Hosei University

(Written by AZUL: November 27, 2024)

There are only two rounds left in the Kanto University Rugby League. The standings at the end of the 5th round were as follows.

Kanto University Rugby League Group Order 2024
orderteamWinEvenLoseWinning Point
1Daito Bunka41025
2Toyo40222
2Tokai31122
4Ryutsu Keizai30219
5Hosei30217
6Nihon1046
6Rissho1046
8Kanto Gakuin0051

At the top of the table, there is only a small difference in points, and with two games remaining, the top 5 teams have a chance to win the championship. In addition, since only the top 3 teams can participate in the University Championship, the competition for the right to participate is also fierce. In addition, the 4th-placed team or below may be sent to the second division league if they lose again. Therefore, both Tokai University and Hosei University were determined not to lose the match on this day.

The venue for the match that day was the Edogawa-ku Athletic Field in Tokyo. The game started at 11:30 a.m., and the temperature was 18 degrees Celsius, making it a perfect day to watch the game.

The number of spectators on the day was 899, which was small compared to the previous week’s match between Teikyo University and Waseda University. We hope that the Kanto University Rugby League group matches will be a little more exciting. For this to happen, the top schools in the league group need to win the University Championship.

Now, let me introduce the two teams that will be playing on this day.

First, an update on Tokai University, the reigning champions of the league for six straight years.

Tokai University, the absolute champion until last season, is now in second place with 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. In previous years, the team has dominated the league matches with their physicality, but this season, they have not been as strong as they could have been. The team is trying to compensate for its lack of physicality with its ability to expand, especially in the BK, but they are not meshing as a team. Will Tokai University be able to win the Kanto University Rugby League group championship for the seventh straight year?

The starting lineup for this day’s match was as follows.

Tokai University
No.Nameheightweightage 
1Ryusei KOYANAGI178cm106kg20 
2Kosuke SHIMOE173cm101kg23 
3Kosuke SUGIURA177cm110kg20 
4Yuga KAWASE187cm97kg22 
5Ikuta IMAI178cm97kg21 
6Shuki USUDA180cm98kg21 
7Yushin SHIOTSUKI172cm93kg20 Captain
8Hikaru OHMORI180m96kg22 
9Tentaro IKAWA165m74kg21 
10Taishin OKUDA174cm88kg21 
11Yuta OKAMURA176cm85kg22 
12Towa KONDO180cm90kg22Captain
13Koki KITAMURA172cm80kg21 
14Yuma NAKAGAWA169cm76kg22 
15Conrad SEVENSTER196cm98kg21 

** Player to watch **

Towa KONDO. 180 cm, 90 kg, 22 years old. He is a graduate of Tokai University Auxiliary Gyosei High School. His senior year in high school, he was the captain of his team in the quarterfinals of the National Tournament, and his fierce 18-minute loss against Higashi Fukuoka High School will remain in the memories of many rugby fans. This season, he is not only a strong breakthrough player who makes use of his strong physicality, but also a game-maker as a commanding presence in the team. He is aiming for Tokai University’s seventh consecutive victory in the Kanto University Rugby League group, as well as a long-sought first victory in the National University Rugby Championship.

Next, I would like to introduce the Hosei University Rugby Club.

Founded in 1924, Hosei University Rugby Club is one of the pioneer teams of Kanto University Rugby. The team has won the Kanto University Rugby League group 13 times, the most in its history, and the National University Rugby Championship 3 times. In recent years, the team has fallen behind other universities and has not won a championship for a long time, but their traditional style of rugby, in which the FW and BK play as a unit using the entire ground, still fascinates the audience. One of their weaknesses this season is that they are not good against teams that are physical and push hard. However, all of the teams in the top tier and in the University Championships are strong and physical, so the question for the future is whether Hosei University can maintain its style of play against such opponents.

The starters for the day are as follows.

Hosei University 
No.Nameheightweightage 
1Fuminari MORIYASU172cm107kg19 
2Yuta HANAZAWA175cm108kg19 
3Meishi WATANABE171cm106kg22 
4Kota YAMAUCHI189cm100kg20 
5Kanta HOSOKAWA185cm103kg20 
6Kuu OSAWA172cm90kg19 
7Kanta MIURA184cm78kg20 
8Kohki MIYASHITA187cm110kg20U18,U20Japan
9Yugo OYAMADA170cm70kg21U18 Japan
10You KIM175cm85kg22 
11Masaharu KOBAYASHI173cm81kg21 
12Taisei TANAKA176cm91kg21 
13Shun NAKAI172cm84kg22 
14Yuzuto SUMIKAMA174cm99kg19 
15Takuru KITAGAWA170cm78kg21 

** Player to watch **

Yuzuto SUMIKAMA. 174 cm, 99 kg, 19 years old. He is a graduate of Houtoku Gakuen High School. In high school, he was the main CTB of Houtoku Gakuen High School, which won the Spring National Rugby Championship, the National 7-man Rugby Championship, and the National Tournament runner-up title. After entering Hosei University, he has participated in official matches since his freshman year, and this season, his sophomore year, he is a regular WTB. With his imposing physique, he has the look and feel of a FW, but his ability to break through is the main reason for his success as a scorer for Hosei University. He is a very prominent player when given the ball in his hands, and how much of the ball is passed to him will be the barometer of Hosei University’s offensive success.

Let the match begin.

9 minutes into the first half:

Looking at the start of both teams, Tokai University was stable in the set plays of scrums and lineouts. In contrast, Hosei University was clearly superior to their opponents in attacking after winning the ball, especially in their ability to develop.

In such an early flow of the game, it was Hosei University

After securing the ball, they made a wide left-right move, moved deep into the enemy territory, and with some excellent passing, got past the opposing defense to score a try by WTB SUMIKAMA in the right corner of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try failed, but Hosei University succeeded in scoring the first point.

The score was 0-5.

24 minutes into the first half:

Tokai University had twice gone close to the enemy’s in-goal, but failed to score. The team’s inability to score goals at the right time has been a reason for their poor performance this season.

Also, when it came to kicking battles in the BK, Tokai University was unable to gain an advantage, and their offensive moves gradually became fewer and fewer.

This season, Tokai University has been trying to develop and attack, but in such cases, Hosei University’s defense and attack were superior, and there were many scenes where the ball was taken away from them. When Hosei University took the ball away from the opposing team, they deployed brilliantly from their own line and gained a lot of ground, coming close to the in-goal on the left side of the enemy line. From a tight battle at this point, Hosei’s lock MIYAKAWA broke away and, despite being tackled, scored a try in the middle left of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 12-0.

32 minutes into the first half:

On this day, Hosei University had the upper hand in the dense battle and counter-attacks after kicks, but they could not secure their own ball lineout at all in the set play. Even when Hosei University won a penalty kick for a foul by their opponents and kicked deep into the enemy territory, they lost the ball at every own-ball lineout. It was as if Hosei University was reading the lineout and where to throw. Then, Tokai University took the ball out of Hosei University’s lineout and advanced at once, closing in on the enemy’s in-goal and scoring a try by No.8 OOMORI right under the goal post.

Tokai University also succeeded in scoring the conversion goal after the try, making the score 12-7.

36 minutes into the first half:

Tokai University seemed to have caught on to the flow of the game with their earlier score, and after gaining ground through successive attacks, they moved right into the enemy territory, where WTB OKAMURA scored a try in the left corner of the enemy’s in-goal.

Tokai University missed the conversion goal after the try, but the score was tied 12-12.

43 minutes into the first half:

Hosei University had a chance to score a PG at the end of the game after an infringement by their opponents just past the 10-meter line. Hosei’s SO KIM scored it, and the first half ended with the score 12-15.

At the end of the first half, for Tokai University, the challenge was to reduce the number of infringements after attacking into the enemy territory, and for Hosei University, the challenge was to steadily secure their own ball lineout.

How far can both teams go to correct their issues for the second half?

Let’s kick off the second half.

2 minutes into the second half:

In the second half, it was Tokai University who first took control of the game. After catching Hosei University’s kickoff, the FW and BK teams worked together to gain ground and move deep into enemy territory, closing in on the enemy in-goal, and finally prop Sugiura broke the line and scored a try right under the goal posts.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 19-15, and Tokai University succeeded in turning the score around.

10 minutes into the second half:

In the second half, Hosei University’s own ball lineout became more stable. This allowed them to make steady progress in their position. Hosei University moved deep into the enemy territory, and after a right-to-left move, they had an extra man on the field, and WTB KOBAYASHI scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal.

Hosei University scored the conversion goal after the try to make the score 19-22.

22 minutes into the second half:

With the game slightly stalemated, Hosei University attempted a PG on a foul by their opponents in front of the enemy 10-meter line, but failed.

23 minutes of the second half:

Both teams exchanged kicks, and Hosei’s SO KIM attempted a DG from near the halfway line, but failed.

The game remained close with Hosei University leading by 3 points. Both teams recovered from their first-half mistakes and showed each other what they had, making it a match worth watching.

36 minutes into the second half:

Tokai University went on the offensive, controlling the ball deep in enemy territory and continuing to push forward toward the in-goal. Here, Hosei’s FL MIURA intercepted a Tokai University pass deep in their own territory and ran nearly 80 meters to score a try in the left corner of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal was also successful, making the score 29-19 in favor of Hosei University.

41 minutes into the second half:

Hosei University had a chance to score a PG deep in the enemy territory after a foul by their opponents. Hosei’s SO Kim attempted a PG for the final score, but missed.

With time running out, Tokai University tried their best to connect the ball, but the game was over.

Tokai University suffered a humiliating second loss, and their bid for back-to-back championships was over. Hosei University, on the other hand, had a chance to qualify for the University Championships on their own with a win in the final game.

The sixth and final match of the season was a heartbreaker for both teams, as they both had a chance to qualify for the championship. The final match will be held on November 24 at the Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

**********************

Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

*************************

RUGBY JERSEY – Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group: Teikyo University vs Waseda University

 (Written by Azul: November 15, 2024)

This time, I went to Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground in Minato-ku, Tokyo to watch the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group match between Teikyo University and Waseda University.

The weather was fine and the temperature was 20 degrees Celsius, making it a perfect day to watch the game.

This season’s Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group League started in early September, and so far three teams, Teikyo University, Meiji University, and Waseda University, have all won and are competing for the championship. With the second half of the season now upon us, the top-ranked schools will now begin to face each other directly, and rugby fans can look forward to a series of exciting matches.

In the first match of the day, Meiji University vs. University of Tsukuba was played, kicking off at 11:30.

The result of the match was 31-0 in favor of Meiji University, defending their unanimous victory.

Next, the second match kicked off at 14:00.

Here is the latest information on both schools going into the second match.

First, let me introduce the Defending Champion, Teikyo University Rugby Club.

Last season, the team won the University Championship for three years in a row, but the most senior students have graduated and the team has become a new team. The results of the competitions so far this season were as follows.

September 7:  vs Japan University of Health and Sport Science 67-6  〇

September 22:  vs Aoyama Gakuin University 40-5 〇

Sept. 29:  vs Rikkyo University 85-7 〇

Oct. 20:  vs Keio University 57-19 〇

Teikyo University has had some close wins against lower ranked teams from last season. Teikyo University, last season’s university champion, has many U-18 Japan players joining the team this season. If they continue to gain experience in the game, the new players this season will grow steadily, but if we look for weaknesses, there are few players among the regular members who have won last season’s championship, so it remains to be seen whether they can show the same strength as last season in a matchup against a higher-ranked school.

This day’s starting lineup was as follows.

Teikyo University 
No.Nameheightweightage 
1Hanjiro HIRAI174cm94kg21 
2Ren TOMA174cm95kg22 
3Taro UESUGI176cm113kg21 
4Jo KURAMORI180cm102kg21 
5Takuma MOTOHASHI194cm116kg22JapanXV,Japan
6Keito AOKI187cm106kg22Japan XV
7Eugene GUAINI177cm89kg22 
8Kaisa DAUNAKAMAKAMA182cm120kg21U-18 Japan
9Kumsu LEE174cm80kg22 
10Takaya MOTOHASHI182cm86kg20U-20 Japan,JapanXV,Japan
11Kanta MORI176cm89kg21 
12Taichi KUGINO178cm89kg22 
13Yamato UEDA180cm84kg19U-18,U-20 Japan,JapanXV
14Genki IKUTA169cm83kg21 
15Ryunosuke AOYAGI176cm82kg20U-18 Japan

** Player to watch **

Takaya Motohashi is 20 years old, 182 cm, 86 kg. A graduate of Kyoto Seisho High School, he is the younger brother of Takuma Motohashi, a regular lock for Teikyo University’s three consecutive university championships. He played mainly at CTB for U20 Japan this summer. He is the leading BK player of his generation, but has only become a regular starter this season, so he is expected to show his ability as the season deepens. Teikyo University’s fourth straight University Championship title this season will depend on the twin shoulders of MOTOHASHI, the commanding leader of the team.

And now, an update on the Waseda University Rugby Club, the right wing of Teikyo University’s team to beat.

Waseda University’s official results so far this season were as follows.

September 14:  vs Rikkyo University 57-6  〇

September 22:  vs Japan University of Health and Sport Science 83-0 〇

October 12:  vs Aoyama Gakuin University 67-0  〇

Since forming their new teams for this season, both Teikyo University and Waseda University have played each other twice in open matches.

June 16: 7-60 (Teikyo University won)

August 18: 38-14 (Waseda University won)

With a record of 1 win and 1 loss, both teams have been making adjustments to focus on a direct confrontation in an official match.

This day’s starters were as follows.

Waseda University 
No.Nameheightweightage 
1Airou SUGIMOTO176cm107kg21U19 Japan
2Kenji SATO177cm107kg21Japan XV,Japan
3Shotaro KAMEYAMA176cm116kg22 
4Takeomi NISHIURA184cm94kg22 
5Bunsuke KURITA184cm105kg20U20Japan
6Osuke SHIRO185cm99kg18U18 Japan
7Yusei TANAKA166cm87kg21 
8Fuuta SUZUKI183m99kg23 
9Sena HOSOYA162m64kg21 
10Ryota HATTORI178cm80kg18U18 Japan
11Haruto IKEMOTO183cm90kg20 
12Kengo NONAKA180cm93kg21U20,U21Japan,Junior Japan
13Shuhou FUKUSHIMA183cm95kg21U18 Japan
14Kenzou TANAKA172cm76kg19 
15Yoshitaka YAZAKI180cm86kg20U18,U20 Japan,JapanXV,Japan

** Player to watch **

(Ryota HATTORI is the player in the black-and-red striped jersey in the photo above.)

Ryota HATTORI is 178cm, 80kg, 18 years old. He is a graduate of Saga Technical High School and a member of the U18 Japan national team. As an 18-year-old first-year student, he has won a commanding position at Waseda University, where BK players from all over the country gather to compete for the top spot in the high school rugger world. In high school, he won a national championship in 7-man rugby, and his running ability and ability to find space are regarded as the best of his generation. In high school, he played FB, but was converted to SO by Waseda University’s rugby team coach, Otao, who noticed his exceptional kicking ability. Although he has little experience as an SO, he has made a big impact on the team’s tactics with his kicking ability. He is a player that we can expect no end to how far he will develop his abilities as the season deepens.

Before the game began, both teams sang their school anthems, and the fans of both teams were excited for this traditional match and the big game that will determine who will win the championship this season.

The crowd of 12,383 on the day was the largest of the season’s rivalry matches.

Teikyo University, as usual, went on the offensive from the very beginning of the game. However, in the early stages, Waseda University went toe-to-toe with Teikyo University, last season’s university champion, in set plays, dense battles, and development attacks. Last season, Waseda University was crushed by Teikyo University in both set plays and dense battles, so Waseda fans’ expectations for victory must have been heightened by Waseda University’s well-rounded performance this season.

13 minutes into the first half:

The SO HATTORI, one of Waseda University’s new players of the season, kicked a touch kick from his own penalty kick that went close to the opponent’s in-goal, which made the fans filling Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium roar.

Waseda University secured the ball in their own lineout, and their FW players rushed through the maul and the dense side of the ruck to score a try, but Teikyo University’s defense in front of the in-goal was very strong, and a try was hard to come by. From this point on, Waseda University swung left and right to score with their BK. From a tight pack, SO HATTORI sent a long pass to the right, and WTB TANAKA, who ran to the left edge, scored a try in the right corner of the enemy’s in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed. The score was 0-5, with Waseda University scoring first.

TANAKA, who scored the try, is one of Waseda University’s promising new players this season.

19 minutes into the first half:

From the restart after the try, both teams exchanged long kicks. However, Waseda’s SO HATTORI kicked from deep in his own half, which went out beyond the enemy 22m line. At this point, the 50-22 rule was applied, and the lineout became Waseda University’s ball. Here, Waseda University made a series of attacks in the enemy territory. Teikyo University then committed a knock-on infringement, resulting in a scrum that was Waseda’s own ball. For Teikyo University, it was a humiliating scrum push loss. Last season, Teikyo University had never lost a scrum to Waseda University, so the shock must have been great for Teikyo University. After that, Waseda University secured the ball, and made the best use of attacking from both sides, and finally, WTB Tanaka, who received the ball from FB YAZAKI, ran through on the right side and scored the second try of the day. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-12.

21 minutes into the first half:

Again, from the restart kickoff by Teikyo University, Waseda University deployed the ball in their own territory, and SO HATTORI kicked a long kick which was stopped in front of the enemy in-goal, The ball was passed from hooker SATOH to WTB TANAKA, and TANAKA scored his third try of the day. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 0-19.

Teikyo University suffered an unprecedented series of losses, and each player’s face showed signs of impatience.

27 minutes into the first half:

After a long period of Waseda’s attacking time, Teikyo University finally got a chance to attack in the enemy territory from the restart kick-off. Teikyo University’s FWs had been dominant in the contact phase of the game so far, so they connected short passes and their break-through FWs piled up the gains to close in on the enemy’s in-goal. Waseda University committed an infringement in their own half, and Teikyo University opted for a penalty kick and gained their own ball lineout just in front of the enemy in-goal. Teikyo University made a sign play, and from the lineout, FL AOKI received a short pass and went all the way to the left middle of the in-goal for a try. After the try, the conversion goal failed, and the score was 5-19.

35 minutes into the first half:

Teikyo University seemed to have confirmed their strength after the try they scored earlier, and they began to play a strategy of penetrating the enemy line, mainly with their FWs, and attacking the dense side of the field. Teikyo University chose to take a penalty kick after an infringement by their opponents, advanced their position to just before the enemy’s in-goal, secured the ball in a lineout on their own ball, and then formed a maul, which the FWs exploited to gain the ball. The try was scored by FL AOKI, who dragged 4 players to the right of the enemy in-goal for the second try of the day.

The conversion goal after the try failed, and the score was 10-19.

With this try, Teikyo University turned the tide of the match back in their favor.

40 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kick-off after the try, Waseda University advanced into the enemy territory and gradually advanced their position through a series of attacks. From a lineout near the 22-meter line, Waseda University was in a tight spot with the opposing defense, but hooker SATOH managed to secure the ball and pass it to SO HATTORI, who stepped past four men and scored a try right in the middle of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 10-26.

The first half ended here, with Waseda University pulling the game back into their own hands.

Now, will Teikyo University, the winner of three consecutive University Championships, be able to pull themselves back into the game in the second half and capture a come-from-behind victory?

Or will Waseda University be able to continue their momentum and defeat the absolute champion, Teikyo University? We look forward to a heated battle in the second half.

6 minutes into the second half:

Teikyo University kicked off the second half and the game resumed. Teikyo University attacked from beyond the 22-meter line, but made a series of mistakes at the crucial moments and missed the opportunity to score.

Waseda University took advantage of Teikyo University’s mistake, and after entering the enemy territory, they moved to the left, and WTB TANAKA made a big gain in the first attack. Waseda University then went in the opposite direction, and the ball was again passed to WTB TANAKA, who made a big move from the left corner to the right corner.

6 minutes into the second half:

Teikyo University kicked off the second half, and the game resumed. Teikyo University attacked continuously beyond the enemy 22-meter line, but at the crucial moment, they made a series of mistakes, which was uncharacteristic of the university champions, and missed a scoring opportunity.

Waseda University took advantage of Teikyo University’s mistake, and after entering the enemy territory, they moved to the left, and WTB TANAKA made a big gain in the first attack. Waseda University then went in the opposite direction and the ball was again passed to WTB TANAKA who made a big move from the left corner to the right corner, where TANAKA got tangled up with three opposing defenders but was able to pull away and score his 4th try of the day in the middle right of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 10-33. In the second half, it was Waseda University who scored first.

Teikyo University came close to scoring at the enemy’s in-goal, but Waseda University got the ball back, and when the ball passed to Waseda University’s SO HATTORI, he kicked it to the enemy’s 10m line with his amazing kicking ability. Waseda’s SO HATTORI’s kick flew about 20 meters farther than a normal SO of a university team. Even if Teikyo University took their time and attacked deep into the enemy territory, Waseda University’s SO HATTORI’s amazing kicking ability would bring them down to about 50 meters back. Teikyo University’s FWs were getting tired.

11 minutes into the second half:

Waseda University’s PG attempt is foiled by a foul by the opposing team, and they are about 40 meters out in front of the goalposts.

14 minutes into the second half:

Both teams kicked each other’s kicks, but Teikyo University’s BK, gradually being pushed back, decided that they had the worse of it and counter-attacked from their own 22m line. The penalty was committed in front of the enemy goal post, about 15 meters away, so Waseda University opted to go for the PG, which CTB NONAKA converted to make the score 10-36.

27 minutes into the second half:

Teikyo University made several attacks deep into the enemy territory, but after an infringement just before the in-goal, Waseda’s SO HATTORI took a penalty kick to bring his team back to the enemy 10-meter line, making it difficult to find a rhythm in the game. This led to frequent handling errors by Teikyo University, and each time the ball was lost to Waseda University.

Waseda University then moved closer to the enemy’s in-goal and attacked in a series of rhythmic attacks, culminating in SO HATTORI’s try to the left of the enemy’s in-goal.

Waseda’s conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 10-43.

40 minutes into the second half:

Teikyo University was still scoreless in the second half at this time. With a 33-point difference, Waseda University was almost certain to win the match, but Teikyo University was looking for revenge in their next matchup. However, Teikyo University was finding it difficult to break the enemy defense and even gain ground.

Teikyo University was in a dilemma on the day, as they were unable to score from inside their own 22-meter line. As Teikyo University was attacking the enemy line, Waseda’s WTB Tanaka intercepted the ball and ran 90 meters to score his fifth try of the day in the middle right of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was unsuccessful, but the score was 10-48.

42 minutes into the second half:

Toward the end of the match, Teikyo University attacked deep into enemy territory, and at about 15 meters in front of the goal posts, substitute FL MORIMOTO broke out through the side and scored a try just below the goal posts.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 17-48.

Immediately after the conversion goal, the game was called “no side. The final score was 17-48. Teikyo University had not lost by such a large margin since their golden era when they became the number 1 university in Japan.

Waseda University’s main reason for winning this match was that their FWs were more than equal to Teikyo University in set plays. The BKs were active in all directions based on the overwhelming kicking ability of SO HATTORI, a newcomer to the Waseda team this season. WTB TANAKA’s overwhelming decisiveness, scoring 5 tries by himself, led to such a large points difference against last season’s university champion, Teikyo University.

Waseda University has 2 current members of the national team, hooker SATOH and FB YAZAKI, but even without them scoring tries, the fact that they were able to score so many tries shows the resilience of this season’s Waseda University.

Can Waseda continue their winning streak and become the number 1 university in Japan for the first time since 2020? Or will Teikyo University be able to regroup and take revenge in the University Championship? This season’s college rugby is becoming more and more exciting.

**********************

Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

*************************

RUGBY JERSEY – Test Match: Japan Brave Blossoms vs New Zealand All Blacks

 (Written by Azul: November 6, 2024)

On October 26, 2024, a test match between the Brave Blossoms of Japan and the All Blacks of New Zealand took place at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. The temperature was 22 degrees Celsius and the weather was cloudy. The crowd was 60,057, 83% of the capacity of Nissan Stadium, the largest stadium in Japan.

Considering that the attendance at the PNC final in September was less than 20,000, this means that the All Blacks are an especially popular team among Japanese rugby fans.

The Brave Blossoms are ranked 14th in the world, while the All Blacks are ranked 3rd in the world, making this the strongest match Japan has played so far this season.

The previous matchups between the Brave Blossoms and the All Blacks are as follows

October 25, 1987: 0-74 ●

November 1, 1987: 4-106 ●

June 4, 1995: 17-145 ●

September 16, 2011: 7-83 ●

November 2, 2013: 6-54 ●

November 3, 2018: 31-69 ●

October 29, 2022: 31-38 ●

The Japanese national team has lost six straight, with an average score of 14-83, and with the exception of 2022, they have racked up heavy defeats.

Let us introduce you to the two teams that would be competing on this day.

First, let’s talk about the New Zealand All Blacks, who was the Visitor Team of this day.

He has won three of the ten RWCs held so far,

New Zealand is the only country that has won 3 of the 10 RWCs held so far,and has won more than three-quarters of its matches against all other countries in Test matches. Before the RWC, the Japanese national team was not allowed to play in the Rugby World Cup due to its lack of ability. In recent years, many All Blacks players have joined League One, a professional rugby league in Japan, and the All Blacks are very popular and well known in Japan.

Currently ranked third in the world, the All Blacks will travel to Europe this November to compete with the best European rugby teams in the world and try to regain the No. 1 spot in the world rankings.

This day’s starting lineup was as follows.

All Blacks
No.NameheightweightageNZ Caps
1Tamaiti WILLIAMS196cm140kg2414
2Asafo AUMUA177cm108kg2715
3Pasilio TOSI193cm140kg263
4Sam DARRY203cm110kg245
5Patrick TUIPLOTU198cm120kg3146
6Samipeni FINAU193cm115kg254
7Sam CANE189cm103kg32100
8Wallace SITITI187m113kg225
9Cameron ROIGARD183m88kg235
10Damian MCKENZIE177cm78kg2956
11Mark TELEA186cm94kg2715
12Anton LIENERT-BROWN185cm96kg2979
13Billy PROCTOR187cm96kg251
14Sevu REECE179cm87kg2730
15Stephen PEROFETA181cm85kg275

** Player to watch **

Mark TELEA. 186cm, 94kg, 27 years old. Position = WTB. Caps for NZ = 15. Club: Blues (Super Rugby).

He made a strong impression on rugby fans around the world at the RWC 2023, scoring his first try in his first RWC appearance in the opening match of the tournament. Even when surrounded by opposing defenses, he slips through tackles like an eel and scores a lot of tries. Will he be able to showcase their superior skills on this day?

Next, I would like to introduce the home team of the day, the Brave Blossoms of Japan.

The Japanese National Rugby Team, a.k.a. Brave Blossoms, has formed a new team under the leadership of new HC Eddie JONES, and has been playing a series of test matches since June this year. The results of the matches so far and the schedule for the future are as follows.

 DateOpponentmatch venueResult
16/22EnglandTokyo17-52 ●
26/29Maori All BlacksTokyo10-36 ●
37/6Maori All BlacksToyoda26-14 〇
47/13GeorgiaSendai23-25 ●
57/21ItalySapporo14-42 ●
68/25CanadaBancouver55-28 〇
79/7USASaitama41-24 〇
89/15SamoaTokyo49-27 〇
99/21FijiOsaka41-17 ●
1010/26All BlacksTokyo 
1111/9FranceParis 
1211/16UruguayChambéry  
1311/24EnglandLondon 

The team has played 9 matches so far, with a record of 4 wins and 5 losses.The team’s world ranking, which was 12th before the start of the season, has dropped to 14th. The team now has only 4 test matches left in the season, including this one.

After this, the team will continue to play matches against teams higher in the world ranking, so we hope that the team will show growth as a team from this point on.

The team has been made up mainly of young players who have had little experience playing in the past, but the return of some of the core players from RWC 2023 is a good sign for the team’s improvement.

This day’s lineup was as follows.

Brave Blossoms
No.NameheightweightageJapan Caps
1Takato OKABE180cm105kg294
2Atsushi SAKATE180cm104kg2546
3Shuhei TAKEUCHI183cm115kg2610
4Sanaila WAQA202cm120kg297
5Warner DEARNS201m117kg2218
6Amato FAKATAVA195m115kg2910
7Kazuki HIMENO187m109kg3032
8Faulua MAKISI187cm112kg2712
9Shinobu FUJIWARA171cm76kg256
10Harumichi TATEKAWA180cm94kg3460
11Malo TUITAMA182cm91kg284
12Nicolas MCCURRAN188cm93kg284
13Dylan RILEY187cm102kg2724
14Jone NAIKABULA177cm95kg3013
15Yoshitaka YAZAKI180cm85kg204

** Player to watch **

(Kazuki HIMENO (Number 7 is HIMENO)

Kazuki HIMENO is 30 years old, 187cm, 109kg. Position = FL, No.8. Japan national team CAP = 32. A graduate of Teikyo University, he was the captain of Japan’s national team at RWC 2023. He was out of the national team in the spring due to elbow surgery, but has recovered from the injury and made a long-awaited return to the national team. We hope that this day’s match would be a step forward in reinvigorating the Japanese national team’s strong FW.

Prior to the match, a ceremony was held. Following the national anthems of both countries, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko, Honorary President of the Japan Rugby Union, gave encouragement to both teams.

Then, just before kickoff, the atmosphere of the decisive battle reached its climax with the performance of HAKA, the War Cry of the NZ national team.

Kickoff for the first half.

5 minutes into the first half:

One of the characteristics of Brave Blossoms’ catchphrase, “super-fast rugby,” is to attack hard early in the game and score the first point. On this day, the Brave Blossoms got into the enemy territory right from the start, and once they secured the ball, they launched a series of attacks. Both teams then exchanged kicks with each other in an attempt to advance their positions. The Japanese team then launched a series of attacks from around the 10-meter line in enemy territory. A successful sign play saw WTB NAIKABULA run right next to SH FUJIWARA, and NAIKABULA slipped behind the enemy defensive net and headed for the in-goal. NAIKABULA was just in front of the in-goal, he was caught by two All Blacks defenders just before the in-goal, but spun around and scored a try in the middle left of the enemy in-goal.

The Brave Blossoms also succeeded in scoring the conversion goal after the try. The score was 7-0.

12 minutes into the first half:

The All Blacks, as if fired up by the first goal, kicked off from the restart, and gradually advanced deep into the enemy territory. The ball was passed to WTB TELEA who was running on the edge of the line, and despite being tangled up with the enemy defense, TELEA twisted his body into the left corner of the enemy in-goal to score a try.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was tied 7-7.

16 minutes into the first half:

The All Blacks showed their physicality by not getting knocked down until they passed the ball off-load to a follow-up player, even if they were caught by the opposing defense. Finally, the lock TUIPLOTU scored a goal in the right corner of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 7-14 to the All Blacks.

19 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kickoff, Brave Blossoms got into the enemy territory, and their FW players fought hard to penetrate the defense and advance more than 10 meters. The Brave Blossoms then chose to take a penalty kick and kicked the ball into touch. The Brave Blossoms secured the ball at the lineout. Here, NO.8 MAKISI broke through the opposing defense and scored a try in the left center of the enemy’s in-goal.

After the try, the conversion goal failed and the score was 12-14.

The excitement in the stadium was high as both teams scored points against each other.

20 minutes into the first half:

Brave Blossoms also won the ball back in a tight battle and went on the counter-attack. The All Blacks got the ball and as SO McKENZIE was about to kick, Brave Blossoms’ NO.8 MAKISI made a strong tackle and the ball rolled backwards. Brave Blossoms lock DEARNS ran in and kicked the ball, caught it himself, and took it straight into the in-goal, overcoming the fast-footed WTB REECE of All Blacks who was chasing him, and scored a try in the left center of the enemy in-goal.

The stadium was in full swing, and the crowd went wild for the first time of the day.

However, a TMO video review revealed that when Brave Blossoms’ No.8 MAKISI made a tackle, the passing ball hit MAKISI’s hand, resulting in a knock-on foul by the Brave Blossoms and the try was cancelled.

22 minutes of the first half:

From a scrum in the middle of the field after the restart, the All Blacks went to the right and scored a try on the first attempt by CTB Procter. The conversion goal after the try failed, and the score was 12-19.

25 minutes into the first half:

In this period, both sides put on a show as they fought for the ball in a dense battle, but here All Blacks outpaced their opponents with their quickness in supporting in dense areas, and finally FL CANE scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal. After the try, the conversion goal failed, and the score was 12-24.

31 minutes into the first half:

From the kickoff after the restart, All Blacks had a scrum, from which All Blacks moved to the left, and SO McKENZIE got behind the enemy defense and made a big gain. The All Blacks then connected with the ball inside the enemy 22-meter line, and as the ball spread out from the right end of the field to the left end, they gained a numerical advantage and finally scored a try by FL FINAU in the left corner of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try failed, and the score was 12-29.

34 minutes into the first half:

The All Blacks attacked for more and more time, and the Brave Blossoms’ tackles were no longer able to keep up with them. The Brave Blossoms players became tired from the continuous physical battles, and their tackles became weaker, leading to a vicious cycle where the All Blacks were able to get out of tackles and connect with the ball continuously. Conversely, the All Blacks found a rhythm in their attack and made gain after gain in the enemy territory. In the end, prop TOSI scored a try right in the middle of the enemy in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 12-36.

40 minutes into the first half:

Brave Blossoms players started to show signs of fatigue. The All Blacks made a series of relentless attacks on the Brave Blossoms, and after a penalty kick, the Brave Blossoms gained possession of their own ball lineout just inside their own 22-meter line, close to the in-goal. From there, the All Blacks secured the ball, and after a maul, they moved forward to score a try by prop WILLIAMS at the right end of the in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 12-43.

The score at the end of the first half was 12-43.

The Brave Blossoms were evenly matched until about 20 minutes into the first half, but after Rock DEARNS’ try was disallowed, the pace of the game became one-sided for the All Blacks.

Could the Brave Blossoms really come back in the second half of the match?

After a 15-minute break, the second half of the match began.

4 minutes into the second half:

The Brave Blossoms tried to move forward from their own territory and connect with passes, but were unable to gain any ground. In contrast, when the All Blacks got possession of the ball, they were able to break through their opponents’ defenses and make progress, perhaps due to the strength of their individual players at the point of contact. Then, All Blacks shook off the defense in enemy territory, and SH ROIGARD gained more than 10 meters and scored a try right in the middle of the enemy in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 12-50.

After this, both teams replaced at least four players, and the newly introduced players stepped up at the point of contact. The Brave Blossoms players in particular put on a good show, but were unable to score.

The Brave Blossoms changed their game and instead of going for the fast break, they started to connect the ball steadily with their individual players at the point of contact.

24 minutes into the second half:

The Brave Blossoms made the biggest show of the second half, when CTB RILEY broke through a gap in the opposing defense and connected with FB YAZAKI, who followed him. YAZAKI’s first try for the national team was expected, but it was stopped by All Blacks’ SO McKENZIE just before the in-goal.

28 minutes into the second half:

Brave Blossoms substitute prop HELU received the ball in front of the enemy 22m line, darted past the defense, and scored a try just under the goal post.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 19-50.

37 minutes into the second half:

The All Blacks had not scored for some time in the second half, but an infringement by their opponents led to a penalty kick that gave them the chance to go inside the enemy 22m line and take the ball out of their own half. After winning the ball, they attempted to move forward in a maul, but the Brave Blossoms defense held firm and prevented them from advancing. However, the All Blacks were able to move to the right and the ball was passed to WTB LOVE, who came on as a substitute, and although he was tangled up with two defenders, he was able to score a try through individual skill.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 19-57.

41 minutes into the second half:

Just before the end of the game, Brave Blossoms started their final attack from their own line, but WTB LOVE of All Blacks took the ball away from them, and he scored his second try of the day right under the in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the All Blacks won the match with a final score of 19-64.

Despite the heavy defeat for the Brave Blossoms, there were some positives to take away from the match. One was the stability of the FW set play against the All Blacks. The other was that the team was able to create a game without playing “ultra-fast rugby” all the time. We hope that the team will be able to win on their upcoming tour of Europe.

** New Weapon: The Newly Arrived  **

I changed the camera for taking pictures from this day’s game.

The new camera is the Canon Power Shot SX70HS, with an optical zoom of 65x. The SX420 camera I had been using until then had a zoom factor of 42x, so I was able to take clearer pictures from a distance at the stadium. The difference is obvious when comparing actual photos.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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