(Written by Azul: October 12, 2025)
The sweltering summer has finally bid farewell, and with autumn’s arrival, official rugby matches have commenced across Japan. The first match I attended this season was a rare night game for university rugby. It was an official Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group match, featuring Waseda University (last season’s 1st place) VS Rikkyo University (last season’s 7th place).
Typically, this match often ends as a one-sided game dominated by Waseda University, with the audience estimated to consist mostly of students and alumni from both universities. The attendance that day was 5,337 people.
Regarding the ground conditions that day: the weather was sunny with a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. Since it wasn’t under direct sunlight, it was comfortable weather for watching the game.
Now, let’s introduce the two teams competing that day.
First, an introduction to the Waseda University Rugby Club, last season’s Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group winner.
Waseda University Rugby Club finished last season’s Rivalry Group undefeated in first place, raising expectations for victory in the National University Rugby Championship. However, they lost to the previous year’s university champions, Teikyo University, in the final, settling for second place.
With the graduation of the 4th-year players, a new team has been formed. This season, under captain CTB NONAKA, they aim to become Japan’s top university team for the first time since 2019. This season, many members from last season’s championship runner-up team remain, and they possess the capability to become Japan’s top university team.
The starting lineup for this day was as follows.
| Waseda University | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Airou SUGIMOTO | 176cm | 105kg | 22 | U19 Japan |
| 2 | Kenshin SHIMIZU | 180cm | 100kg | 21 | U18,20,23,Japan XV |
| 3 | Eito ARAI | 179cm | 105kg | 21 | |
| 4 | Mitsuharu KOBAYASHI | 188cm | 99kg | 20 | |
| 5 | Bunsuke KURITA | 184cm | 102kg | 21 | U20Japan |
| 6 | Osuke SHIRO | 185cm | 99kg | 19 | U18 Japan |
| 7 | Yusei TANAKA | 166cm | 87kg | 22 | |
| 8 | Ken AIHARA | 180m | 92kg | 22 | |
| 9 | Mashu ITOSE | 175m | 69kg | 21 | |
| 10 | Ryota HATTORI | 178cm | 80kg | 19 | U18 Japan |
| 11 | Haruto IKEMOTO | 183cm | 89kg | 21 | |
| 12 | Kengo NONAKA | 180cm | 92kg | 22 | U20,U21Japan,JJ |
| 13 | Kazune KUROKAWA | 167cm | 77kg | 22 | |
| 14 | Kenzou TANAKA | 172cm | 77kg | 20 | U23 Japan |
| 15 | Yoshitaka YAZAKI | 180cm | 86kg | 21 | U18,U20 Japan,JapanXV,Japan |
| JJ=Junior Japan | |||||
| JXV=Japan XV | |||||
In the season opener against Nippon Sport Science University, Waseda University won by a large margin of 59-7. However, some key players were returning from injury or illness and were not in the starting lineup. Starting from this match, they returned, and nearly the best lineup was assembled.
＊＊ Player to watch ＊＊
Yoshitaka YAZAKI. 180cm, 86kg, 21 years old. Position = FB. Japan caps = 5. Graduated from Toin Gakuen High School. He has been named to Japan national teams at various age levels. Last season, he was finally selected for the senior Japan national team, appearing in 5 matches and gaining international experience against world-class teams. This season, his absence from the national team roster initially worried rugby fans, but it was later revealed he underwent knee surgery after last season, requiring recovery time. He managed to be ready for the university’s official matches and started in this game. We hope he regains his form smoothly and performs even better than last season.
Next, an introduction to our opponents, the Rikkyo University Rugby Team.
Founded in 1923. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the team has actively scouted promising newcomers and assembled a regular lineup featuring players who competed in national high school tournaments, steadily building their strength. Rikkyo University’s goal is to qualify for the National University Rugby Championship, a tournament they have yet to participate in.
To achieve this, finishing within the top 5 of their current Kanto University Rugby Rivalry group is essential. Their season opener saw them face last season’s university champions, Teikyo University, suffering a 21-48 defeat. However, compared to last season when they were completely outclassed, they scored 3 tries, raising hopes for their performance this season.
This day’s starting lineup was as follows.
| RIKKYO University | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Hayase ISHIHARA | 177cm | 110kg | 21 | |
| 2 | Satoshi ECHIGO | 166cm | 95kg | 19 | |
| 3 | Shogo SAKUMA | 181cm | 115kg | 22 | |
| 4 | Kazuki SHIRAISHI | 178cm | 97kg | 22 | |
| 5 | Gakua FURUTA | 180cm | 100kg | 18 | |
| 6 | Ryoyu TSUNODA | 170cm | 95kg | 23 | |
| 7 | Yojiro ISHIKAWA | 172cm | 95kg | 22 | |
| 8 | Eiku NAKAYAMA | 178cm | 96kg | 20 | |
| 9 | Kanto ARIGA | 177cm | 86kg | 20 | |
| 10 | Yuto MUKAI | 177cm | 85kg | 19 | U18 Japan |
| 11 | Go SHIBUYA | 178cm | 84kg | 19 | |
| 12 | Kantaro SATO | 176cm | 88kg | 22 | |
| 13 | Kyuhei AMO | 172cm | 83kg | 21 | |
| 14 | Arishi MURAKAMI | 171cm | 83kg | 20 | |
| 15 | Shuya FUKUI | 180cm | 82kg | 19 | |
While it may pale in comparison to Waseda University, which fields a team composed of Japanese national representatives from various age groups, the starting lineup features players who have all competed in national tournaments during their high school years, demonstrating steady progress in strengthening the team.
＊＊ Player to Watch ＊＊
Yuto Mukai. 177cm, 85kg, 19 years old. Position = SO. U-18 Japan National Team. Graduated from Tokai University Osaka Gyosei High School. The only U-18 Japan National Team member in Rikkyo University’s starting lineup for this match. While Waseda University’s SO is HATTORI, considered the top student player, it is precisely when the team is at a disadvantage that the true value of the SO, the team’s playmaker, is tested.
Now, the first half begins. Kickoff time was 3:00 PM.
For Rikkyo University, ranked 7th last season, to hold their own against Waseda, last season’s champions, set pieces would be crucial. They didn’t lose the initial scrum after the kickoff.
4 minutes into the first half:
Waseda University launched an attack from their own half. The ball reached FB YAZAKI on the left wing, who made a big gain, driving deep into the opposition’s 22-meter area. Rikkyo managed to halt the advance here, but Waseda launched a series of attacks. The ball found FB YAZAKI again, who scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick after the try was missed, but Waseda scored the opening points of the match. The score became 5-0.
12 minutes into the first half:
Rikkyo held their own in the initial scrum, but when they formed a scrum near the 22-meter line during this period, Waseda pushed them back decisively. Rikkyo conceded a penalty in this play, and Waseda opted for a penalty kick. However, at the lineout near the Rikkyo in-goal area, Waseda failed to secure the ball, allowing Rikkyo to regain possession in their own territory.
Here, Rikkyo’s SO MUKAI kicked the ball out from his own in-goal area. Although a freshman, his precise ball handling and powerful kicking made a favorable impression on the spectators. However, compared to Waseda’s SO HATTORI, who is rated as the top student player, he appeared less prominent.
Waseda then launched an attack deep in the opposition’s territory. The ball moved from SO Hattori to FB Yazaki, who displayed his speed, evading two defenders to score a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick after the try was missed, leaving the score at 10-0.
Watching this match, I noticed that nearly all the photographers were positioned on the right side from the main stand, about 20 of them, aiming to capture Waseda University’s scoring plays.
In contrast, only two photographers were trying to get shots of Rikkyo University’s scoring plays.
However, these two appeared to be reporters for Rikkyo University’s student sports newspaper. Therefore, the professional photographers, based on past results, were shooting expecting Waseda University to dominate this game.
22 minutes into the first half:
Waseda University opted for a penalty kick after an opposing team foul, earning a lineout opportunity with possession on the left side, beyond the opponent’s 22-meter line. Waseda secured the ball and formed a maul to drive forward. Rikkyo managed to withstand this, but Waseda then spread the play wide to the right. The Waseda backs linked up with several close passes, feeding the ball to WTB TANAKA on the right wing. TANAKA, tangled up by defenders, scored a try in the right corner of the opposition’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 17-0.
While watching the players’ uniforms during the game, I noticed that starting this season, university teams are now permitted to receive support from private companies. Teams that receive such support have their sponsors’ names printed on their uniforms.
The photo above shows Waseda University receiving support from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC). Operating as a university club incurs significant costs. Each member currently spends over 400,000 yen annually on club fees and training camp expenses, while club coaches work unpaid. To support this, the Rugby Association amended its regulations this season. This financial assistance is expected to improve the environment for university sports.
29 minutes into the first half:
Rikkyo University’s defensive strategy involved deploying players inward to form a defensive net, preventing opponents from breaking through the inside when the play opened up. Players positioned on the outside provided backup support. However, Waseda University’s rapid pace of play allowed them to break through the outside, resulting in significant gains and multiple scores against Rikkyo.
Aware of this, Rikkyo’s defense pressed forward earlier, applying pressure before Waseda could fully spread wide. This forced Waseda to attack deep into enemy territory but stifled their backs’ attempts to break through.
Here, Waseda’s SO HATTORI launched a short kick behind the advancing defense, sending his team’s BK players in for a run. Waseda FB Yazaki responded to this kick. Though tangled up by the defense, he used his natural breaking power to score a try right under the goalposts.
The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 24-0. With this try, Waseda FB Yazaki scored his 3rd of the first half, achieving a hat trick early on.
34 minutes into the first half:
Though trailing by a wide margin, Rikkyo University finally penetrated deep into the opposition’s territory during this period. Their forwards and backs worked cohesively to sustain the attack. This marked a significant improvement for Rikkyo compared to last year, as they created periods where they could hold their own against top-tier teams at the point of contact.
Waseda University regained possession in a scrum near the try line and SO HATTORI kicked the ball back into the opposition’s territory.
However, Rikkyo University’s backs then created a highlight moment. WTB MURAKAMI caught the ball in his own half and launched a counterattack. Waseda’s defense initially brought MURAKAMI down, but Rikkyo won the scrum, restarted the attack, shifted play to the left, and WTB SHIBUYA drove deep into the opposition’s in-goal area. Here, Waseda’s last line of defense, FB YAZAKI, made a tackle on Rikkyo’s SHIBUYA, pushing him out of bounds and preventing the score.
The first half ended with this score unchanged.
At halftime, Waseda held a significant lead on the scoreboard. However, this season’s Rikkyo team has shown stability in set pieces and has put up strong fights against top teams at the point of contact. Expectations are high to see how much they can rally in the second half.
Now, the second half begins.
2 minutes into the 2nd half :
Rikkyo adopted a defensive strategy similar to the first half, pressing forward early to disrupt attacks. Waseda countered by kicking behind the advancing defense. Once again, Waseda FB YAZAKI caught a kick behind the defense, evaded the opposition, and scored his 4th try of the day in the right center of the in-goal area.
The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 31-0.
From where I was seated that day, I could clearly see Waseda University’s fullback YAZAKI running toward us. His stride was so long when he cut his steps that, at the collegiate level, I didn’t think anyone could catch YAZAKI.
9 minutes into the second half:
Perhaps due to the widening point gap, Waseda University began making substitutions around this time.
Waseda University changed their offensive approach, using FB YAZAKI as a wedge to create points and attempting breaks with other backline players. After entering the opposition’s territory, Waseda University spread wide to the right, and CTB KUROKAWA scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 38-0.
13 minutes into the 2nd half:
During this period, Waseda Uninversity maintained possession deep in Rikkyo’s territory for extended periods. Rikkyo’s defense struggled to keep up with Waseda’s wide-ranging play. After the forwards gained ground, Waseda spread the ball wide to right wing TANAKA. He evaded the tackling Rikkyo defense with a hand-off and scored a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 45-0.
15 minutes into the second half:
Waseda counterattacked from Rikkyo’s kickoff, linking passes without a whistle and scoring a try directly under the goalposts. Center KUROKAWA scored the try. The conversion was successful, bringing the score to 52-0.
Regarding this try, Waseda’s FB YAZAKI broke through the line, accelerated rapidly, and gained over 50 meters. YAZAKI’s top speed was so overwhelming that Rikkyo’s defense became disjointed, making it look as if they were clearing a path for him – a truly spectacular run.
Following this play, YAZAKI, who had recently returned from surgery, was substituted off. While fans eagerly await his return to the Japanese national team, this match confirmed his steady recovery.
Ultimately, Waseda University shut out Rikkyo University with a final score of 78-0. For Waseda, fielding nearly their best lineup this season, it was a smooth start to the campaign. For Rikkyo, despite the loss, creating periods where they could compete against a top-tier team was a gain compared to last season. We hope Rikkyo continues to build their team as they aim for their inaugural appearance in the University Championship.
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Stop the war.
Peace to Ukraine
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