ＲＵＧＢＹ　ＪＥＲＳＥＹ

 (Written by Azul: May 3, 2026)

April 18. With spring in full swing and the skies clear and sunny, I headed to TOYOTA Stadium in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, to watch the League One Round 15 official match between the Verblitz and the Steelers.

By the 2:30 PM kickoff, the temperature had risen to 23 degrees Celsius, and the stadium had taken on an early summer feel.

With the weather this warm, nearly all the fans who had arrived at the stadium were wearing short sleeves.

The attendance for the day reached 24,345, and the atmosphere inside the stadium was building to a fever pitch ahead of the match.

The standings through the previous round are as follows.

2025-26	League One Order(Division 1) 4/17
ranking	team	Win	Lose	Even	WP	SD
1	Saitama Panasonic Wildnights	13	1	0	59	238
2	KOBELCO Kobe Steelers	12	2	0	57	249
3	Kubota Spears	11	3	0	55	275
4	Black Rams Tokyo	9	6	0	41	24
5	Tokyo SUNTORY Sungoliath	7	7	0	39	80
6	TOSHIBA Brave Lupas TOKYO	6	8	0	30	-106
7	Toyota Verblitz	6	8	0	29	-114
8	Mie Honda Heat	6	9	0	29	-110
9	Shizuoka Blue Revs	5	9	0	25	-72
10	Sagamihara Dynaboars	4	10	0	19	-138
11	Yokohama CANNON Eagles	3	11	0	16	-167
12	Urayasu　D-Rocks	3	11	0	12	-259
	WP=Winning Point
	SD=Score Difference

The top 3 teams have secured their spots in the playoffs. Currently, the fiercest battles are taking place for the top 6 spots—which secure a playoff berth—and for the bottom 2 spots, which will face relegation playoffs to Division 2.

Now, let’s introduce the two teams facing off today.

First, here is the home team, TOYOTA Verblitz.

As of match day, they were in 7th place. If they can climb one more spot, they will advance to the playoffs. This season, the Verblitz started with a win in the opening match but then suffered seven consecutive losses, temporarily sinking to the bottom of the table. While they were a powerhouse that consistently contended for the title during the Top League era, this performance was a major letdown for the team’s supporters. Looking at the team’s current roster, they possess a powerful lineup capable of winning the championship, and with a coaching staff led by a former New Zealand national team manager, one can’t help but wonder why they’ve struggled so much. However, starting in the second half of the season, they became a force to be reckoned with in League One, defeating even the top teams one after another. With only 3 games remaining, they are currently the team with the most momentum, so there is a possibility they could win the championship after advancing through the playoffs.

The starting lineup for this match was as follows.

TOYOTA Verblitz
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Shogo MIURA	180cm	115kg	29	Japan 14caps
2	Yoshikatsu HIKOSAKA	178cm	105kg	34	Japan
3	Taufa LATU	183cm	120kg	28
4	Josh DICKSON	200cm	117kg	31
5	Laurens ERASMUS	200cm	115kg	32
6	Hingano LOLOHEA	191cm	120kg	22
7	Kosei MIKI	174cm	95kg	23
8	Keito AOKI	187cm	110kg	23
9	Kaito SHIGENO	170cm	78kg	35	Japan 16caps
10	Rikiya MATSUDA	181cm	92kg	31	Japan　39caps
11	Mark TELEA	186cm	94kg	29	New Zealand 19caps
12	Aidan MORGAN	174cm	80kg	24
13	Siosaia FIFITA	187cm	105kg	26	Japan　16caps
14	Taichi TAKAHASHI	180cm	91kg	29	Japan 2caps
15	Shinya KOMURA	180cm	92kg	23	Japan 2caps

＊＊　Player to Watch　＊＊

Mark TELEA. 186 cm, 94 kg, 29 years old. Position: WTB. New Zealand national team. Caps: 19. The world’s best wing. Among the players who joined League One this season, he is the one I’m watching most closely. His unmatched breaking ability, on display in New Zealand national team matches, is a must-see even for non-fans. New Zealand’s victory at the 2027 Rugby World Cup is unthinkable without his contributions.

Next, an introduction to the visiting team, the KOBELCO Steelers.

League One standings on match day: 2nd place. They have already secured a spot in the playoffs. The Steelers, a prestigious Kansai-based team, are always a powerhouse and a title contender. However, this season they have shown improvement in both offense and defense, resolving the fragility and poor coordination seen in previous seasons—they seem to have been reborn as a completely different team. As the season progresses, the team’s cohesion deepens, evoking memories of their golden era when they won 7 consecutive titles.

The starting lineup for this match was as follows.

KOBE Steelers
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Shigure TAKAO	178cm	110kg	28
2	Ash DIXON	179cm	103kg	37
3	Hiroshi YAMASHITA	183cm	120kg	39	Japan 51caps
4	Brodie RETALLICK	204cm	120kg	34	New Zealand 109caps
5	Gerard COWLEI-TUIOTI	197cm	115kg	33
6	Tiennan COSTLEY	192cm	106kg	25	Japan 1caps
7	Willie POTGIETTER	190cm	105kg	24
8	Ardie SAVEA	184m	105kg	32	New Zealand 105caps
9	Itsuki KAMIMURA	168cm	72kg	23
10	Seunsin LEE	176cm	85kg	25	Japan　28caps
11	Inoke BURUA	178cm	100kg	26
12	Lafaere TIMOSY	186cm	98kg	34	Japan　28caps
13	Tali IOASA	193cm	105kg	20
14	Kazuma UEDA	177cm	86kg	23	Japan　1caps
15	Shunsuke UENOBO	183cm	88kg	22

＊＊　Player to Watch　＊＊

Shunsuke UENOBO. 183 cm, 88 kg, 22 years old. Position: FB, SO. A graduate of Tenri University. Although he is a rookie who just graduated from college this spring, he quickly secured a starting spot as the FB for the prestigious Steelers. His offensive instincts are exceptional, and he seems to possess a natural talent. With his physicality improving dramatically with every game, he is a player we hope will be selected for the Japanese national team starting this season.

And now, the first half begins.

The game kicked off with a Steelers kickoff. Verblitz secured the ball and kicked it back into the opponent’s territory, but the Steelers launched a sustained attack from there. Although the play became scrappy at times, the Steelers kept the offense going.

The Steelers steadily gained ground in the opponent’s territory, closing in on the try line. Finally, they shifted the play to the left, and Steelers fullback UENOBO, who had received the ball, broke into the opponent’s in-goal area and scored the opening try in the left corner.

Steelers SO LEE successfully converted the try, bringing the score to 0-7.

16 minutes into the first half:

Verblitz created several promising opportunities on offense, but the Steelers’ defense—especially near the try line—would not allow them to advance. The Steelers’ consistent top-tier performance this season can be attributed to a dramatic improvement in teamwork on both offense and defense since last season.

Although Verblitz allowed the Steelers to score first, the 2 teams were evenly matched in the scrums.

Amidst this, the Steelers’ CTB TIMOSY was penalized for a high tackle and received a 10-minute suspension.

Verblitz capitalized on the numerical advantage created by this penalty. Although they struggled against the Steelers’ defense, they advanced deep into enemy territory, dominated possession with consecutive attacks, and ultimately, SHIGENO scored a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.

Verblitz’s SO MATSUDA also successfully kicked the conversion after the try, tying the score at 7-7.

25 minutes into the first half:

Both teams were evenly matched in terms of strength at the point of contact, but the Steelers were superior in terms of ball movement and smooth passing. Once in the opponent’s half, the Steelers, despite being tackled, utilized off-load passes to spread the play widely from left to right.

Then, Steelers WTB UEDA broke through the line in the right corner and rolled a ground punt into the opponent’s in-goal area. FB UENOBO grounded the ball in the in-goal area, scoring his second try of the day.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 7-14.

28 minutes into the first half:

Immediately after conceding a try, Verblitz launched a brilliant line attack. Upon entering the opponent’s half, Verblitz secured the ball, and the backs spread the play to the right. From WTB Telea, FB Komura cut diagonally into the gap, received the ball, and sprinted at top speed, shaking off the opposing defense to score a try directly beneath the goalposts in the opponent’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, tying the score at 14-14.

32 minutes into the first half:

Upon entering the opponent’s half, the Steelers advanced their line through a series of attacks. Near the opponent’s 22-meter line, they pushed the opposition out wide, earning a lineout in their own half.

From there, the Steelers secured the ball and advanced by forming a maul.

As the Steelers approached the in-goal area, hooker DIXON, who was at the back of the maul, broke through on the left side and scored a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.

The first half ended with this score. It was an exciting match where both teams showcased their strengths and thrilled the crowd.

Can the home team, Verblitz, respond to the crowd’s cheers and pull off a comeback victory in the second half? Or will the Steelers unleash their trademark offensive power and fend off Verblitz’s challenge?

It’s now the 15-minute halftime break.

Verblitz’s mascot is named RIGER.

During halftime, he made a lap around the stadium to entertain the fans.

And now, the second half began.

3 minutes into the second half:

The first scoring opportunity of the second half went to Verblitz. During a scrum in the Steelers’ end zone, Steelers No. 8 SAVEA committed an offside penalty. Since the penalty occurred directly in front of the goalposts, Verblitz opted for a field goal. Verblitz’s SO MATSUDA converted it with ease, bringing the score to 17-21.

9 minutes into the second half:

Verblitz displayed an unexpected offensive play at this stage, advancing deep into the opponent’s territory.

However, as Verblitz was moving the ball down the left flank near the opponent’s 22-meter line, Steelers fullback UENOBO intercepted the pass. UENOBO then sprinted down the right touchline and scored a try in the right corner of the opponent’s in-goal area.

Although the conversion kick after the try was missed, FB UENOBO’s try shifted the momentum of the game. The score became 17-26.

14 minutes into the second half:

Both teams launched consecutive attacks, and the players’ fatigue became increasingly apparent. However, the Steelers began to demonstrate a noticeable numerical advantage during their attacks.

The Steelers spread the play wide from the right to the left, eventually creating a numerical advantage on the outside, and WTB BURUA scored a try in the left corner of the opponent’s in-goal area.

Although the conversion kick after the try was missed, the score became 17-31.

In terms of gameplay, the Steelers held the upper hand, but Verblitz displayed tenacious defense, causing the match to reach a stalemate. At this point, if the Steelers scored again, the outcome of the match would be decided, so this was a critical moment for the Verblitz to hold their ground.

33 minutes into second half:

The scoreless stalemate had lasted for nearly 20 minutes, but it was broken by the astonishing physical prowess of the Steelers’ WTB BURUA.

The Steelers penetrated the opponent’s territory and repeatedly threatened the try line, but were repelled by Verblitz’s focused defense. However, Steelers WTB BURUA, receiving the ball near the 22-meter line, knocked aside 3 defenders and scored a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 17-38 and putting the Steelers in a commanding lead.

40th minute of the second half:

Even as the match drew to a close, the Steelers showed little sign of letting up physically. In contrast, the Verblitz players were visibly fatigued. They found themselves caught in a vicious cycle: even when they managed to regain possession, handling errors would derail their attacks.

Amid Verblitz’s apparent disadvantage, a game-saving play emerged. Verblitz was playing near their own try line but couldn’t make any headway. In desperation, the center kicked a short punt, which FB Komura caught and ran with for over 80 meters, scoring a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 24-38.

Although the Steelers had secured the victory, for Verblitz, the game was not over yet. There was still one play remaining before the final whistle. Having converted the extra point, Verblitz needed just seven more points to earn one victory point. To secure a spot in the playoffs, they were desperate to rack up those points.

Perhaps Verblitz’s determination paid off, as they won consecutive scrums and lineouts, advancing to just in front of the Steelers’ try line.

However, with the game on the line in front of the Steelers’ try line, Verblitz lost possession of the ball on their own lineout, and the match ended.

The final score was 24-38, with the Steelers earning 5 points. In contrast, the defeated Verblitz must now aim to finish within the top 6—the cutoff for the playoffs—in the remaining 3 rounds.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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 (Written by Azul: April 5, 2026)

Round 12 of Japan Rugby League One was held under clear skies at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Minato Ward, Tokyo. Tokyo has been experiencing alternating warm and cool days recently, and on March 21, the temperature reached 14 degrees Celsius, making for fairly decent weather for watching the game.

As of March 21, the League One standings are as follows.

2025-26	League One Order(Division 1) 3/20
ranking	team	Win	Lose	Even	WP	SD
1	KOBELCO Kobe Steelers	10	2	0	47	207
2	Saitama Panasonic Wildnights	10	1	0	45	185
3	Kubota Spears	9	2	0	45	224
4	Tokyo SUNTORY Sungoliath	7	4	0	36	92
5	Black Rams Tokyo	7	4	0	31	-1
6	TOSHIBA Brave Lupas TOKYO	5	6	0	25	-76
7	Toyota Verblitz	4	7	0	20	-27
8	Shizuoka Blue Revs	3	8	0	17	-65
9	Mie Honda Heat	3	8	0	16	-101
10	Yokohama CANON Eagles	3	9	0	15	-134
11	Sagamihara Dynaboars	3	8	0	14	-111
12	Urayasu　D-Rocks	3	8	0	12	-193
	WP=Winning Point
	SD=Score Difference

The League season is entering its second half, but this season has seen many upsets. The Brave Lupas, two-time defending champions, are currently on a five-game losing streak and sit in 6th place, putting their playoff berth in jeopardy. Additionally, in the match on March 20, there was an upset as the top-ranked KOBELCO Steelers lost to the bottom-ranked CANON Eagles. With the season set to conclude in May, no team can afford to let their guard down.

This match was held as a home game for the DYNABOARS. The attendance for the day was 6,444.

League One is gradually increasing its attendance figures. This is likely due to the marketing efforts of each team and the overall improvement in the quality of League One matches.

Now, here is the latest information on the 2 teams facing off this day.

First, here is the latest information on the visiting team, SUNTORY Sungoliath.

With a record of 7 wins and 4 losses this season, they currently sit in 4th place in League One Division 1 as of March 20th and remain in contention for the playoffs. While they no longer appear as overwhelmingly dominant as they once did, this is likely due to the overall rise in the level of play across League One. Their playing style is characterized by “Aggressive Attacking Rugby” that makes full use of the field, and they boast the strongest offense in League One. They are currently on a two-game losing streak against the Dynaboars, their opponent today, and are approaching this match hoping to bounce back. Will they be able to prevent a third consecutive loss to the same team?

The starting lineup for today’s match was as follows.

Suntory Sungoliath
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Atsuki YAMAMOTO	177cm	106kg	23
2	Shodai HIRAO	174cm	105kg	23
3	Kan NAKANO	177cm	108kg	28
4	Ryuga HASHIMOTO	188cm	112kg	27
5	George HAMMOND	199cm	115kg	25
6	Kanji Shimokawa	188cm	105kg	28	Japan　22caps
7	Sean McMAHON	186cm	99kg	31	Australia　27caps
8	Tevita TATAFU	183m	119kg	30	Japan　20caps
9	Yutaka NAGARE	166cm	75kg	33	Japan　36caps
10	Mikiya Takamoto	171cm	80kg	25	Japan
11	Seiya Ozaki	175cm	85kg	30	Japan　4caps
12	Gideon WRAMPLING	188cm	102kg	24
13	Taiga OZAKI	184cm	93kg	27	Japan
14	Kohei YASUDA	181cm	88kg	23
15	Cheslin KOLBE	172cm	80kg	32	South Africa 48caps

＊＊　Player to Watch　＊＊

Yutaka NAGARE. 166 cm, 75 kg, 33 years old. Position: SH. Graduated from Teikyo University. Japan national team caps: 36. Participated in the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. Having announced his retirement at the end of this season, this will be the last chance to see NAGARE in action. There is absolutely no sign of a decline in his abilities as a player; if anything, he is currently at the peak of his career. He is a key player who embodies Sungoliath’s team slogan, “Aggressive Attacking Rugby.” It is none other than NAGARE who creates the fluid rhythm of Sungoliath’s continuous, flowing attacks. For Sungoliath, we hope they advance to the playoffs and win their way through so that fans can see NAGARE in action for as many games as possible this season.

Next, here is the latest information on the home team for this match, the Sagamihara Dynaboars.

Their record this season stands at 3 wins and 8 losses, and as of March 20, they are in 11th place in League One Division 1. At the end of the season, the bottom 2 teams in Division 1 must face the top 2 teams from Division 2 in promotion/relegation playoffs. The Dynaboars, aiming to improve on last season’s finish (9th place), are determined to secure as many wins as possible in their remaining 7 matches. Although this day’s opponent, Sungoliath, is a higher-ranked team, they have been a good matchup for us in recent years, so we’re looking forward to a great game.

The starting lineup for today’s match is as follows.

Dynaboars
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Jun MORIMOTO	175cm	115kg	29
2	Yuki MIYAZATO	178cm	105kg	28
3	Shunsuke ASAOKA	187cm	125kg	29	Japan 1cap
4	Kohki MATSUMOTO	190cm	107kg	24
5	Jose SERU	197cm	117kg	34	Japan 7th
6	Kyo YOSHIDA	188cm	108kg	30
7	Masataka TSURUYA	186cm	104kg	28
8	Marino MIKAERE-TUU	193cm	111kg	28
9	Brad WEBER	172cm	75kg	35	NZ 18caps
10	Charlie TITCOMBE	179cm	86kg	23
11	Joape NACO	181cm	102kg	23
12	Charlie LAWRENCE	171cm	90kg	27	Japan　8caps
13	Lukhanyo AM	186cm	97kg	32	South Africa 42caps
14	Matt VAEGA	179cm	94kg	31
15	Satoshi KOIZUMI	178cm	89kg	25

＊＊　Player to Watch　＊＊

(Player No. 13: Lukhanyo AM)

Lukhanyo AM. 186 cm, 97 kg, 32 years old. Position: CTB. South African national team caps: 42. The world’s best CTB, who joined the Dynaboars this season. With his excellent tactical vision, he creates opportunities and builds the game alongside the SO. He is also a key defensive player in the backline, anticipating his teammates’ trouble before it happens and making hard tackles when necessary. We’ll be watching closely to see how much he can contribute in decisive moments during this day’s match.

And now, the first half begins.

6 minutes into the first half:

At this point, Dynaboars’ scrum-half Weber was penalized for a deliberate knock-on and received a 10-minute suspension.

Sungoliath capitalized on this numerical advantage, advancing toward the opponent’s try line. They quickly shifted the play from the left corner to the right, and WTB Yasuda, positioned along the right touchline, easily scored a try in the right corner of the opponent’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 0-7.

18 minutes into the first half:

Sungoliath drew a penalty from the opposition as they entered the opponent’s half. Since the position was relatively close to the goalposts, FB Kolbe attempted a penalty kick. Although the kick was taken almost directly in front of the goalposts from a distance of 30 meters, Kolbe missed it. The score remained 0-7.

23 minutes into the first half:

The DYNABOARS entered the opponent’s territory, dominated the scrum, and drew a “not releasing the ball” penalty from the opposition. From there, the DYNABOARS advanced their position with a penalty kick, secured the ball from a lineout, formed a maul, and advanced toward the try line. From there, the DYNABOARS launched a series of flanking attacks by their FWs, and substitute prop CHAE grounded the ball in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area to score a try.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, tying the score at 7-7.

30 minutes into the first half:

As Sungoliath advanced deep into the opponent’s territory, DYNABOARS No. 8 MIKAERE-TUU committed a malicious foul by kicking the ball—which was to be handed over to the opponent when play was stopped—hard back, striking Sungoliath SO TAKAMOTO in the face, resulting in a 10-minute suspension.

Sungoliath secured the ball from the ensuing lineout, formed a maul, and advanced to score a try in the left center of the in-goal area.

The DYNABOARS conceded the try due to a careless foul.

Although the conversion kick after the try was missed, the score became 7-12.

34 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kickoff, the DYNABOARS entered the opposition’s half and moved the ball from the left flank to the right. Here, SO TITCOMBE looped around, broke through the line, and scored a try.

The conversion kick following the try was also successful, bringing the score to 14-12 and giving the DYNABOARS the lead.

38 minutes into the first half:

The match had turned into a back-and-forth affair. Sungoliath penetrated deep into the opponent’s territory, moved the ball wide left and right to launch their attack, and finally, WTB OZAKI scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal area.

Although the conversion kick after the try was missed, the score stood at 14-17.

41 minutes into the first half:

Just before the end of the first half, the DYNABOARS entered the opponent’s territory, secured the ball from a lineout, and immediately formed a maul to advance. CTB AM made a sharp break through the side of the maul, breaking through the defensive line in one swift move. Sungoliath’s defense gave chase, but DYNABOARS’ scrum-half WEBER, who had followed up, received a pass and sprinted straight to the goal line to score a try.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 21-17.

That marked the end of the first half.

Since last season, matches between Sungoliath and the DYNABOARS have consistently been close contests, and this day’s game was no exception—a fiercely contested, high-quality match. It wouldn’t have been surprising if either team had won.

Given what a great game this was, I hope we can draw a crowd large enough to fill the stadium for the next match.

And now, the second half begins.

4 minutes into the second half:

After the kickoff, both teams sized each other up, leading to a series of kicks back and forth. As they did so, Sungoliath entered the opponent’s half, spread the play to the left to create a numerical advantage, and FL McMAHON, who received the ball near the touchline, shook off the defenders clinging to him and dived into the left corner of the opponent’s in-goal area to score the first try of the second half.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, but the score became 21-22, with Sungoliath regaining the lead.

9 minutes into the second half:

The DYNABOARS were notably prone to penalties in this match. As Sungoliath entered the opponent’s territory, the DYNABOARS lost the scrum and were penalized for collapsing.

Sungoliath opted for a penalty goal, which FB Kolbe converted, bringing the score to 21-25.

Since Sungoliath’s FB, Kolbe, had a low conversion rate in this match, this kept the score close.

18 minutes into the second half:

Sungoliath moved the ball from their own half, and FL McMahon used his speed to break through the line again, penetrating deep into the opponent’s territory.

From there, Sungoliath continued to move the ball forward, and finally, SO TAKAMOTO, who had followed up, carried the ball right under the opponent’s goalposts to score a try.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 21-32 and giving Sungoliath a 10-point lead.

21 minutes into the second half:

Up to this point in the second half, Sungoliath had dominated possession, but the DYNABOARS finally got their chance to attack. From a scrum in their own half near the center of the field, they moved the ball to the right, where WTB VAEGA broke through the line and advanced toward the opponent’s try line.

From there, the DYNABOARS launched a series of attacks, closing in on the opponent’s try line, and finally, CTB AM broke through the opposing defense to score a try just to the left of the goalposts.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 28–32 and narrowing the gap to 4 points for the DYNABOARS.

33 minutes into the second half:

As the match entered its final stages and the score was only 4 points apart, both teams gave it their all, putting everything they had into both defense and offense. The supporters on both sides were just as passionate; with such a close and exciting game, the cheers grew louder and louder.

In particular, the DYNABOARS, playing catch-up, repeatedly pressed the opponent’s try line in search of a try, but Sungoliath displayed a tenacious defense in front of their goal, refusing to concede any points.

The fierce back-and-forth continued, but despite being tackled on the left side of the opponent’s half, the DYNABOARS kept gaining ground. Finally, No. 8 MIKAERE-TUU dragged 3 defenders along with him and, with sheer determination, grounded the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area to score a try.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 35-32.

Ultimately, this proved to be the decisive score, and the Sagamihara Dynaboars secured their 4th win of the season against the powerhouse Sungoliath. This marks their third consecutive victory against Sungoliath since last season.

Dynaboars’ fly-half TITCOMBE was named Player of the Match. He appears to be gradually showcasing his true potential with each appearance. We look forward to his next outing.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

 (Written by Azul: February 15, 2026)

The League One Round 6 match between Honda HEAT and Urayasu D-Rocks was held at the newly renovated Tochigi Green Stadium.

Honda HEAT, based in Mie Prefecture this season, has decided to relocate its home base to Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, starting next season. As part of the preparations, it was decided that Honda HEAT would play 4 games at Green Stadium as its secondary home base this season. January 24th marked the inaugural game at the stadium.

For HEAT, it was their first official game at this memorable new venue, so they were determined to win for the sake of the show.

The official capacity is 15,589. As Tochigi Prefecture’s only League One club, HEAT aims to be a team loved by the local people of Tochigi Prefecture.

The seats in this stadium are also painted in Honda HEAT’s team colors of red and black.

The overall head-to-head record between these 2 teams so far shows the Heat (HONDA) with 1 win and the D-Rocks (NTT) with 9 wins, giving the D-Rocks a significant advantage.

The League One standings so far this season are as follows.

2025-26	League One Order(Division 1) 1/23
ranking	team	Win	Lose	Even	WP	SD
1	Kubota Spears	5	0	0	24	139
2	Saitama Panasonic Wildnights	5	0	0	24	138
3	KOBELCO Kobe Steelers	4	1	0	20	68
4	TOSHIBA Brave Lupas TOKYO	4	1	0	19	16
5	Tokyo SUNTORY Sungoliath	3	2	0	15	-14
6	Urayasu　D-Rocks	3	2	0	12	-7
7	Shizuoka Blue Revs	2	3	0	10	-9
8	Black Rams Tokyo	2	3	0	8	-70
9	Sagamihara Dynaboars	1	4	0	5	-62
10	Toyota Verblitz	1	4	0	4	-64
11	Mie Honda Heat	0	5	0	2	-59
12	Yokohama CANON Eagles	0	5	0	2	-76
	WP=Winning Point
	SD=Score Difference

Key points to note in League One this season after Round 5:

＊     Last season’s bottom-ranked Urayasu D-Rocks have secured 3 wins so far, climbing to 6th place and causing a storm in the League.

＊     The Cannon EAGLES, once a playoff regular, have suffered a complete loss so far, showing a significant decline.

Now, let’s introduce the 2 teams facing off this day.

First, the home team: Mie HONDA Heat.

HONDA Heat finished last season in 11th place. They fought through a promotion/relegation playoff against a Division 2 team and secured their spot to remain in Division 1. Since last season, their parent company, HONDA, has seriously committed to player acquisition and development, aiming for a breakthrough this season. However, they have lost all 5 games so far and are languishing near the bottom of League One. Hopefully, the HONDA Heat can secure a victory in their first game at the new stadium and build momentum heading into the latter half of the season.

The starting lineup for the day was as follows.

MIE HONDA Heat
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Tatsuhiko TURUKAWA	183cm	115kg	30
2	Tevita IKANIVERE	183cm	113kg	26	Fiji  52 caps
3	Matthys BASSON	191cm	120kg	30
4	Ryoma NISHIMURA	190cm	111kg	30
5	Trevor HOSEA	204cm	118kg	26
6	Franco MOSTERT	198cm	107kg	35	South Africa 83 caps
7	Talifolofala TANGIPA	186cm	117kg	29
8	Pablo MATERA	192cm	110kg	32	Argentina 120 caps
9	Azuma DOEI	172cm	70kg	27
10	Dawid KELLERMAN	185cm	97kg	25
11	Rakuhei YAMASHITA	175cm	85kg	33	Japan
12	Johnny FAAULI	183cm	100kg	30	Japan7s
13	Kyogo OKANO	184cm	100kg	24
14	Ben PALTRIDGE	177cm	87kg	33
15	Lomanorava LEMEKI	178cm	95kg	26	Japan 20 caps

＊＊ Key Player ＊＊

Lomanolava REMEKI. 178cm, 95kg, 37 years old. From Tonga. Positions: FB, WTB, SO. Japan caps: 20. As a member of Japan’s 7s team, he was instrumental in propelling the squad to 4th place at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. In 15-a-side rugby, he played for 6 domestic teams from 2009 to 2026, serving as a key player for each. He was also selected multiple times as Man of the Match both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups. REMEKI’s strengths lie in his exceptional physical power, stamina throughout matches, and tactical awareness honed by extensive experience. He reads the flow of the game and delivers decisive moments at crucial junctures. Since turning 30, he has improved his diet, showing no signs of age at all. In fact, his current form suggests he may be at the peak of his playing career. I believe REMEKI would live up to expectations if called up to the Japanese national

Next, an introduction to today’s Visitor Team, the Urayasu D-Rocks.

The D-Rocks were promoted to Division 1 last season, but the Division 1 wall proved formidable, finishing last with a 3 wins-15 losts record. They managed to survive the relegation play-offs and secure their place in the division. However, this season, after winning their opening match, they have achieved a 3 wins-2 losts record and currently sit in 6th place, within the playoff zone. Considering the reasons for their strong form this season, they have secured many late-game comebacks. This is said to be the result of the new coach’s focus on improving defense and strengthening physical conditioning. Additionally, the players’ overall fitness levels appear to have improved. While the roster hasn’t changed significantly, the standout form of key players like FB FOLAU and CTB KEREVI is particularly noticeable. The question now is whether the D-Rocks can maintain their position near the top of the table as the season reaches its final stages.

The starting lineup for the day was as follows.

Urayasu D-Rocks
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Hidetomo NABESHIMA	176cm	115kg	24	Japan
2	Ryuji FUJIMURA	174cm	102kg	27
3	Seconaia POLE	181cm	112kg	30
4	Shin TAKEUTI	191cm	110kg	25
5	Manaaki SELBY-RICKIT	200cm	112kg	29
6	Brody MACASKILL	190cm	111kg	26
7	Tetta SHIGEMATSU	178cm	94kg	26
8	Jasper WIESE	190m	120kg	30	South Africa 41caps
9	Ren IINUMA	170cm	75kg	25	Japan
10	Hikaru TAMURA	175cm	89kg	32
11	Caleb CAVUBATI	175cm	91kg	25
12	Samu KEREVI	186cm	106kg	32	Australia 50 caps
13	Shane GATES	183cm	95kg	33	Japan　4caps
14	Tana TUHAKARAINA	184cm	96kg	30
15	Luteru LAULALA	183cm	95kg	30

**Player to Watch**

Samu KEREVI. 186cm, 106kg, 32 years old. Position = CTB. Australian caps = 50. Born in Fiji. Watching his play, you truly understand what a center should do.

In attack, he breaks through solid defenses. Even when surrounded by 2 or 3 defenders, he always drives forward, refusing to go down until he connects the ball to a teammate.

Conversely, in defense, he covers vast ground with his wide range of movement, anticipating the opposition’s attacks and systematically stifling their offensive threats.

His ability to fulfill this role as a consummate center is rooted in the formidable physique honed through his rigorous daily training. Seeing KEREVI on the field reveals the physique of a truly accomplished athlete.

Regardless, KEREVI’s movements as the D-Rocks’ offensive and defensive linchpin make this match unmissable.

Now, the first half began.

3 minutes into the first half:

Immediately after kickoff, while the D-Rocks were driving into the opposition’s territory, a HEAT player committed a defensive foul. D-Rocks opted for a penalty goal (PG) here. The PG spot was positioned almost directly in front of the goalposts, approximately 30 meters away. D-Rocks’ SO TAMURA converted it reliably, bringing the score to 0-3.

Early in this match, there were numerous turnovers in the scrums, leading to frequent changes in possession. Both teams featured South African and Argentine internationals starting in their forwards, making for a compelling battle of strength.

17 minutes into the first half:

After falling behind 0-3, Heat HONDA continued playing deep in the opposition’s territory, threatening the try line several times but ultimately failing to score.

Amidst this, D-Rocks finally entered the opposition’s territory, drew a penalty, and earned a penalty goal opportunity from a position similar to their earlier scoring chance. SO TAMURA converted it reliably, bringing the score to 0-6.

21 minutes into the first half:

Heat HONDA entered the opposition’s territory from the restart kickoff. Near the 22-meter line, they earned a lineout on the right side with possession. Heat HONDA secured the ball and moved it left. CTB Okano, receiving the ball, slipped through the D-Rocks defense and approached the try line. In the resulting scrum, scrum-half Doei seized a momentary opening and scored a try in the right center of the opponent’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, but Heat HONDA made the score 5-6.

24 minutes into the first half:

Perhaps relaxed by their recent score, Heat HONDA entered the opposition’s territory. No. 8 MATELA successfully stole the ball in a ruck, opting for a penalty kick. This earned them a lineout on their own ball on the right side inside the 22-meter line. From the lineout throw-in, SH DOEI received a short pass and sprinted straight into the opposition’s in-goal area, scoring a try in the right center.

SH DOEI succeeded in outwitting the opposition with his play, flashing a satisfied smile.

SO KELLERMAN missed the conversion kick after the try, failing consecutively. The score became 10-6, with Heat HONDA successfully overturning the deficit.

30 minutes into the first half:

Heat HONDA entered the opposition’s territory again from the restart kickoff and advanced through a series of attacks centered on the forwards. Here, D-Rocks committed a foul almost directly in front of the goalposts, approximately 30 meters out. But Heat HONDA opted for a penalty kick to try for a try rather than a penalty goal. They earned another lineout opportunity on their own ball, inside the 22-meter line on the right side of the opponent’s in-goal area. Heat HONDA secured the ball, pushed forward with their powerful forwards, and finally, LO MOSTERT carried the ball into the right center of the in-goal area for a try.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, leaving the score at 15-6.

35 minutes into the first half:

Late in the first half, D-Rocks finally managed to drive forward into the opposition’s territory. While Heat HONDA focused on advancing through forward contact play, D-Rocks attempted to gain ground by spreading the ball to their backs. The D-Rocks repeatedly attacked near the try line in the opposition’s territory. Finally, SO TAMURA skillfully evaded the defense with clever footwork in front of the opposition’s goalposts and scored a try beside the posts.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 15-13.

The first half ended with this score, leaving the teams separated by just 2 points heading into the second half.

With only a 2-point margin at halftime, whichever team seized control early in the second half would move closer to victory. Would it be HONDA Heat or Urayasu D-Rocks?

And so, the second half began.

5 minutes into the second half:

Both teams have had numerous turnovers in racks during this match. Consequently, even when advancing deep into enemy territory, possession often changes hands, making it impossible to look away from the game.

Amidst this, the first scoring opportunity of the second half fell to the D-Rocks.

The D-Rocks advanced deep into Honda Heat territory through sustained attacks. A scrum ensued, where Honda Heat’s LO Mostert attempted to steal the ball but was penalized for off feet. The D-Rocks opted for a penalty goal (PG).

D-Rocks’ SO Tamura converted the PG, bringing the score to 15-16. This allowed D-Rocks to successfully take the lead.

15 minutes into the second half:

After the restart, HONDA Heat entered the opposition’s territory and maintained possession. Several opportunities arose where a penalty goal would have been a likely scoring option following opposition fouls. However, HONDA Heat chose to kick for goal instead, persistently aiming for tries. Possible reasons included their dominance in the forward battle and the fact that SO KELLERMAN had missed consecutive conversion goals that day.

Then, near the left side 22-meter line, Honda Heat formed a maul from their own lineout and advanced, threatening the try line. The maul collapsed, and Honda Heat attempted a try through a forward drive, but D-Rocks’ defense held firm, preventing the try.

However, HONDA Heat’s LO NISHIMURA broke through the defense and scored a try just left of the goalposts in the opponent’s end zone.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 22-16.

20 minutes into the second half:

From the restart kickoff, HONDA Heat caught the ball. Their forwards linked passes from their own half and broke through the line. From there, HONDA Heat spread the ball wide to their backs. D-Rocks defense made key tackles, but HONDA Heat maintained possession. They passed the ball along the left touchline, driving up to near the opposition’s 22-meter line.

From the resulting scrum, HONDA Heat spread left. No. 8 MATERA used his physical strength to break through the line. Substitute FL MASIVOU then received a pass and, despite being tackled by the defense, scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, making the score 27-16.

22 minutes into the second half:

HONDA Heat kicked the restart kickoff outside. D-Rocks secured the ball from a lineout on the left side and moved it to the right, but a slightly errant pass was intercepted by HONDA Heat’s FB REMEKI.

REMEKI ran straight through to the opposition’s in-goal area and scored a try in the left corner.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, but the score became 32-16. At this point, HONDA Heat scored 2 consecutive tries in quick succession, seizing control of the match.

32 minutes into the second half:

This season, D-Rocks have been notable for staging second-half comebacks to win. After finishing bottom of League One last season, D-Rocks have already secured 3 wins this season and currently sit in 6th place. Key factors include improved overall stamina and a strengthened winning mentality, built by accumulating victories early in the season. Therefore, even with less than 20 minutes remaining in the second half, HONDA Heat could afford no complacency.

During this period, D-Rocks’ substitute players made their presence felt. Particularly notable was the breakthrough power of No. 8 IOANE, pictured above. Receiving the ball on the right wing, he shook off 3 opposing defenders, charged towards the try line, and finally connected with a follow-up offload pass to another substitute, scrum-half KONISHI. KONISHI then scored a try right under the opponent’s goalposts.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 32-23.

The D-Rocks’ counterattack momentum grew, but then the D-Rocks committed a series of set-piece penalties. With the score remaining unchanged, HONDA Heat secured victory in this match. For HONDA Heat, this marked their 1st win of the season and a memorable 1st victory at their new home stadium.

It must have been a joyous occasion for HONDA Heat in many ways to be able to show their long-awaited victory to their local fans in Tochigi.

** Jersey Collection 76 **

On January 24th, to commemorate the game at Tochigi Green Stadium, HONDA Heat’s new home ground, the basketball shirts pictured above were distributed to all spectators on the day.

Even before arriving at the venue, I had hoped that some kind of commemorative item would be distributed, and my hunch was correct.

The shirt features a print of the Utsunomiya Light Rail, a new symbol of Utsunomiya City that opened in recent years. Next time I will visit, I definitely want to ride it as a memento.

On this memorable day, HONDA Heat achieved its first victory of the season. Heat fans may be hoping that this stadium will be the birthplace of the Heat’s Green Stadium undefeated legend.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

(Written by Azul: February 3, 2026)

The 62nd National University Rugby Championship, which began in November 2025, reached its final on January 11, 2026. The ２ teams that advanced to the final were both from the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group: a clash between the traditional powerhouses, the Meiji University Rugby Club and the Waseda University Rugby Club.

The venue for the final, like the semifinals, was the National Stadium in Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo. The temperature that day was 16 degrees Celsius, relatively warm for the middle of winter. To ensure optimal comfort, I secured a sunny seat on the third floor. A large crowd of 43,489 spectators gathered at the stadium. Many in the crowd were affiliated with the 2 universities.

In the photo above, the people holding purple flags and towels are Meiji University supporters. Purple is Meiji University’s school color.

And in the photo above, the people wearing rugby jerseys with a crimson and black striped pattern are Waseda University supporters.

The University Championship final between Waseda and Meiji marked their 11th meeting in 6 tournaments. Considering this season’s performances, the teams were evenly matched, making the outcome unpredictable and promising an exciting match.

Here is an introduction to the 2 teams competing in that day’s final.

First, an introduction to Meiji University Rugby Club, the top seed and leading contender for the championship this season.

Meiji University Rugby Club’s results in this season’s University Championship are as follows:

In this season’s Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group, they suffered an upset loss to Tsukuba University in their opening match. However, they won every subsequent game, finishing in first place and advancing to the University Championship.

Then, in the University Championship, Meiji University entered as the top seed, starting from the quarterfinals.

＊    Quarterfinals:　vs.　Kwansei Gakuin University　〇　46-19

＊    Semifinals:　　vs.　Kyoto Sangyo University　〇　37-19

This season, as the campaign progressed, the team seemed to refine their rugby into a flawless system. While boasting the nation’s deepest talent pool, the ability to unite as a cohesive unit ultimately determined the outcome of each match.

The starting lineup for the day was as follows.

Meiji University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Daisuke TASHIRO	180cm	108kg	21
2	Hampei NISHINO	175cm	103kg	21	U18,20,23Japan, JJ
3	Riku TOMITA	182cm	125kg	22	U18,20Japan
4	Shusui KAMEI	191cm	91kg	21	U18,20,23Japan, Japan XV
5	Yuki KIKUCHI	186cm	106kg	22
6	Taison MOGAMI	185cm	100kg	22	U18,U20 Japan,JJ
7	Kotaro OKAWA	187cm	103kg	21	U18,20Japan, Japan XV
8	Toki TOSHIKAWA	181m	103kg	22	U18,20 Japan, Japan
9	Ryusei SHIBATA	175m	80kg	22
10	Ryunosuke ITO	172cm	78kg	21	U18,20,23Japan, Japan XV
11	Koki ABE	179cm	85kg	20	U18 Japan
12	Shota TAIRA	178cm	90kg	22	U18,20,23Japan, JJ
13	Kaishun AZUMA	183cm	85kg	22	U18 Japan
14	Eito SHIRAI	178cm	86kg	20	U18,20,23Japan
15	Ryuto KOGA	184cm	86kg	19	U18,20Japan
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

True to its reputation as the university with the deepest talent pool, Meiji University Rugby boasts a starting lineup filled with players from various age-group national teams. Even after making the U18 national team, a player’s starting position at Meiji is never guaranteed, as the club recruits highly skilled freshmen every year. Conversely, if a team with such talent fails to reach the Final Four, the coaching staff will likely face scrutiny.

**  Player to watch  **

Shota TAIRA. 178cm, 90kg, 22 years old. From Higashi Fukuoka High School. Position = CTB. U18, U20, U23 Japan representative. Serving as captain of Meiji University Rugby Club this season, TAIRA is also the team’s place kicker. For the captain of Meiji University, a team boasting many talented players, the pressure of each match’s outcome weighs heavily. Amidst this, we must first commend his leadership in guiding Meiji University to the finals. TAIRA is characterized by his steadfast execution of solid play, as evidenced by his place-kicking success rate. Rather than relying on individual brilliance to break open situations, he consistently carries out the team’s game plan throughout matches to deliver results. He is an indispensable piece for any team aiming for victory. After graduation, he has secured a contract with the League One team Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars.

We look forward to their future success.

Next, we introduce the other team that advanced to the finals: the Waseda University Rugby Club.

The Waseda University Rugby Club’s record this season are as follows:

In the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group, they lost to Teikyo University and Meiji University, finishing with a 5 win-2 lost record. They placed third in the Championship Group and secured a spot in the University Championship.

Their results in the University Championship are as follows:

＊    Third Round: vs. Kanto Gakuin University ○ 85-7

＊ Quarterfinals: vs. Tenri University ○ 26-21

* Semifinal: vs. Teikyo University ○ 31-21

In the Championship, Waseda outplayed evenly matched opponents from the quarterfinals onward, improving their team strength and advancing to the final stage, just as they did last season. All eyes are on whether they can defeat their archrival Meiji University, whom they lost to in the final match of the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group, to become the university champion.

The starting lineup for the 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	Rintaro MAEDA	178cm	109kg	20	U18 Japan
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	Kanji MATSUNUMA	177m	92kg	21	U18 Japan
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	U18,20,23Japan,JJ
13	Shuho FUKUSHIMA	183cm	94kg	22	U18,23 Japan
14	Kenzou TANAKA	172cm	77kg	20	U23 Japan
15	Yoshitaka YAZAKI	180cm	86kg	21	U18,U20 Japan,JapanXV,Japan 9caps
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

Waseda University faced Meiji University in the final match of this season’s Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group and lost 19-25. Looking at past records, there is a jinx that when Waseda University and Meiji University, two teams of comparable strength, face each other, it is difficult for either to achieve consecutive wins. If this jinx holds true, today’s final should see Waseda University avenge that loss. We’ll have to wait and see what actually happens, but we can expect a great match.

**  Player to Watch  **

(Player #12 is NONAKA)

Kengo NONAKA. 180cm, 92kg, 22 years old. Position = CTB. Represented Japan at U18, U20, U23 levels, and Junior Japan.

Graduated from Tokai University Osaka Gyosei High School. Serves as captain of Waseda University’s rugby team this season. Like Meiji University’s captain TAIRA, he plays center and also handles place kicks. Therefore, in this anticipated closely contested match, the success rate of both teams’ place kicks will likely determine the outcome. At Waseda University, he has played in official matches since his freshman year, gaining ample experience in major games. After graduating, he is set to join Suntory Sungoliath in League One. All eyes are on whether NONAKA can cap his university career by becoming Japan’s top player.

Now, the first half begins.

The match kicked off with Meiji University’s kickoff.

9 minutes into the first half:

Early in the match, both teams exchanged competition kicks, vying for advantageous field position and the ball in scrums.

Within this flow, Waseda University seized the first scoring opportunity. They advanced deep into the opposition’s territory, leading to a scrum where Meiji University committed a penalty. Waseda University opted for a penalty goal from 30 meters directly in front of the goalposts. CTB Nonaka converted it, putting the score at 0-3.

19 minutes into the first half:

Meiji University penetrated deep into the opposition’s territory, mounting successive attacks and threatening the try line.

Waseda University’s defense in front of their in-goal area showed resilience. However, Meiji University ultimately spread the play to the left corner, and prop TASHIRO, running in, scored a try directly under the opponent’s goalposts.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 7-3 and giving Meiji University the lead.

26 minutes into the first half:

Waseda University entered the opposition’s territory and sustained their attack, advancing steadily. In the ensuing scrum, Meiji University committed a foul. Waseda University opted for a penalty goal here. It was almost the same position as Waseda University’s opening score in the 9 minutes into the first half.

However, Waseda University’s CTB NONAKA missed this penalty goal. The score remained 3-7.

Immediately after, Waseda University’s FB YAZAKI kicked the ball back into his own half. YAZAKI himself charged forward, aiming to regain possession. However, he contested the ball in the air with an opponent and made heavy contact. This play resulted in a penalty, and YAZAKI was temporarily sent off for 10 minutes.

Waseda University lost FB YAZAKI , a key player in both attack and defense, and found themselves at a numerical disadvantage with one fewer player for 10 minutes.

30 minutes into the first half:

Meiji University kicked the ball deep into the opposition’s territory. Waseda University’s CTB, who had run back to handle the ball, was tackled by a Meiji player. Meiji University’s SO ITO then seized the ball, carried it straight into the in-goal area, and scored a try.

However, after video review, it was determined Meiji University had knocked the ball forward in the in-goal area, and the try was disallowed.

33 minutes into the first half:

Meiji University continued to exploit their numerical advantage, pressing into the opposition’s in-goal area. In this situation, Meiji University’s SO ITO received the ball, made a sharp cut inside, and scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 14-3.

The first half ended with this score.

Looking back at the first half, Waseda University’s tactics for this match differed from their usual approach of scoring through wide, continuous attacks spreading the play left and right.

1) SO HATTORI and FB YAZAKI specialized in kicking high punts into the opposition’s territory, aiming to contest the ball and regain possession.

2) When the opposition kicked a high punt, the WTBs made every effort to chase down the ball.

So far, they have played using the above tactics, but they are currently trailing by 11 points. If the score gap continues to widen, they are likely to change their attacking approach.

In contrast, Meiji University, who dominated the first half, corrected their scrum weaknesses that had been exposed in the December matchup and gained the upper hand in the first half of this game. It will be interesting to see how they respond if Waseda University switches to a continuous attacking pattern in the second half.

After a 15-minute halftime break, the second half commenced.

The second half began, but Waseda University maintained the same tactic as the first half: the SO kicked a high punt, regained possession deep in the opposition’s territory, and then launched their attack.

8 minutes into the second half:

Meiji University gained possession deep in their own territory, moved the ball from left to right, and CTB TAIRA successfully broke through the defense line. Meiji then connected passes, driving deep into the opposition’s territory. Approaching the try line in front of the goalposts, they were tackled by Waseda’s defense. However, Meiji won the ensuing scrum, shifted play from right to left, and finally, FL OKAWA scored a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 19-3.

20 minutes into the second half:

Waseda University not only failed to break through Meiji University’s defense but also became unable to escape their own half. During this period, while Meiji continued to attack, Waseda committed a penalty in their own half. As the penalty occurred almost directly in front of the goalposts, approximately 30 meters out, Meiji University opted for a penalty goal (PG).

CTB TAIRA converted this penalty goal, bringing the score to 22-3.

32 minutes into the second half:

With time running out, Waseda University abandoned their strategy of kicking high punts to regain possession and instead attempted to advance through open play. However, players showed signs of panic, leading to a series of knock-forwards caused by handling errors.

With their backs against the wall, Waseda University launched an attack from deep in their own half, just in front of their try line. The ball moved from the SO to the FB, then to the WTB, and finally, substitute scrum-half WATANABE, who had followed the play, scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 22-10.

Despite a fierce late surge, Waseda University couldn’t close the scoring gap, and the match ended with this score.

Meiji University claimed the university championship title for the first time in 7 seasons. Throughout this match, Meiji University’s solid defense shone brightly. The defeated Waseda University also showcased their characteristic flowing, continuous play in the late stages of the match, thrilling the crowd of over 40,000 spectators. We look forward to seeing what kind of matches both teams will deliver next season.

＊＊　My　Watch　Collection　3　＊＊

CASIO G-Shock　Sky Cockpit GW-A1000-1A

My companion for this day’s game was the CASIO G-Shock Sky Cockpit GW-A1000-1A. Production ended in July 2012. I acquired this watch as a new-old-stock piece in May 2025. It cost 30,000 yen on Yahoo! Auctions. It features G-Shock staples: 20-bar water resistance, Tough Solar, and radio wave reception for automatic time adjustment.

The band features the Sweet HEART design, the symbol of the Royal Air Force. CASIO developed this watch in collaboration with the Royal Air Force, United Kingdom. It incorporates various functions designed for ease of use by RAF pilots.

For example, while G-Shock watches typically include a world time function, this model can display UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) with a single push of a button, regardless of the city currently set.

Furthermore, within the G-SHOCK series, the Sky Cockpit and Gravity Master series feature Triple G Resist technology. This ensures the watch functions correctly even under the extreme gravitational forces experienced in an aircraft.

While it has many features not typically used by non-pilots, wearing this watch gives the user the feeling of becoming a pilot.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

(Written by Azul: January 17, 2026)

The National University Rugby Championship was held, as usual, on January 2nd at the National Stadium in Minato Ward, Tokyo. The following 4 teams advanced to the semifinals:

Meiji University (1st place, Kanto University Rugby Championship Group)

Waseda University (3rd place, same)

Teikyo University (4th place, same)

Kyoto Sangyo University (2nd place, Kansai University A League)

The Kanto University Rugby Championship Group once again dominated the top spots in this season’s University Championship. The matchups for the 2 games played that day were as follows:

Match 1: Waseda University vs. Teikyo University

Match 2: Meiji University vs. Kyoto Sangyo University

Regarding the field conditions that day, the temperature was 10 degrees Celsius, quite low for this time of year in central Tokyo, requiring cold-weather precautions.

The attendance was approximately 30,000 spectators, a large crowd, but considering the National Stadium’s capacity of 60,000, it felt somewhat lacking.

Now, let’s introduce the two schools that faced off in the first match.

First, Teikyo University, the defending champion aiming for a 5th consecutive University Championship title this season.

This season, Teikyo University finished the Kanto University Rugby Championship group stage with a record of 5 wins and 2 losses. Their unexpected slip-ups were noticeable for a reigning champion, casting some doubt on their quest for a fifth consecutive championship title. However, looking at the content of their losses, they were narrow come-from-behind defeats, indicating there is little gap in ability between them and the top teams. That said, as the season progressed, the team’s form improved. Particularly significant was the quarterfinal victory over Tsukuba University (2nd in the Kanto University Rugby Championship Group), whom they had lost to in the regular season on October 28th. The 36-0 shutout win was a major boost heading into today’s semifinal. Against today’s opponent, Waseda University, they hold a two-game winning streak in official matches. If they perform to their true potential, victory is certainly within reach.

This day’s starting lineup was as follows.

Teikyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Ryota UENO	181cm	114kg	20
2	Naoyoshi KAJIKAWA	172cm	100kg	20
3	Tsubasa MORIYAMA	180cm	109kg	21	JXV,U18Japan,Japan
4	Akihiro TSUBONE	185cm	105kg	19	U18Japan
5	Antonio FISIPUNA	192cm	115kg	19	U18Japan
6	Shido KUREYAMA	190cm	90kg	21
7	Noeru KAWAMURA	175cm	90kg	22
8	Kaisa DAUNAKAMAKAMA	182cm	120kg	21	U-18 Japan
9	Akito TAKECHI	163cm	71kg	22
10	Takaya MOTOHASHI	181cm	88kg	21	U-20 Japan,JXV,Japan
11	Genki IKUTA	170cm	82kg	22	U-20 Japan,JJ
12	Yamato UEDA	180cm	87kg	21	U-18,20, JapanXV,
13	Futo SATO	180cm	87kg	20	U-18,U-20 Japan
14	Taiyo HIGUMA	186cm	90kg	22
15	Rui YOSHIDA	176cm	85kg	19
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

＊＊　Player to watch　＊＊

(Player No.6 in the photo above is KUREYAMA)

Shido KUREYAMA. 190cm, 90kg, 21 years old. Position = Flanker. Graduated from Osaka Toin High School. During his high school days at the powerhouse Osaka Toin High School, he played as a Wing (WTB). However, after entering university, his physique led to a position change to Lock (LO) and Flanker (FL). A player standing 190cm tall running around with the speed of a Wing is a formidable threat to any opponent.

Next, an introduction to today’s opponents, Waseda University.

Last season, they advanced undefeated to the final of the University Championship, aiming for the title. However, they faced Teikyo University in that final and suffered a bitter defeat. Many players who experienced that disappointment remain on the team, and they are determined to avenge last year’s loss in today’s match. A positive factor for this semifinal is that FB YAZAKI, who had been away from the team this fall as a member of the Japan national team, rejoined the squad in late November. This means they can face Teikyo with their best lineup.

This day’s starting lineup 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, Japan XV
3	Rintaro MAEDA	178cm	109kg	20	U18 Japan
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	Kanji MATSUNUMA	177m	92kg	21	U18 Japan
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	Shuho FUKUSHIMA	183cm	94kg	22	U18,23 Japan
14	Kenzou TANAKA	172cm	77kg	20	U23 Japan
15	Yoshitaka YAZAKI	180cm	86kg	21	U18,U20 Japan,JapanXV,Japan 9caps
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

＊＊ Player to watch ＊＊

Kenshin SHIMIZU. 180cm, 100kg, 21 years old. Position = Hooker. Graduated from Kokugakuin Kugayama High School. Played for Japan U18, U20, U23, and Japan XV. Served on Japan’s national teams at various age levels, and this season captained the U23 Japan squad. Despite this impressive track record, he was a reserve player last season, highlighting the depth of hookers at Waseda University. Now firmly established as a starter this season, he has become a driving force for Waseda’s forwards, showcasing precise lineouts and leadership in the scrum. He is expected to be selected for the Japan national team in the near future. Before that, however, he aims to win the title of Japan’s top university team.

Now, the first half begins.

This season, the top 4 teams in the Kanto University Rugby Championship group were so evenly matched that every match was decided by a narrow margin. If they meet again in the University Championship, it’s impossible to say which team will win.

5 minutes into the first half:

Waseda University scored first.

The match began with Teikyo University’s kickoff.

Entering the opposition’s territory, Waseda University launched a sustained attack, spreading the play wide left and right. They gradually gained ground, but when Waseda’s SO HATTORI received the ball, he attempted a somewhat forceful break through the center. Teikyo University’s defense got a hand on him midway, but he shook them off and scored the opening try right under the goalposts.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 7-0.

10 minutes into the first half:

Following the restart kickoff, Teikyo University launched a counterattack. Teikyo entered the opposition’s territory, secured the ball, and advanced through strong, coordinated contact between FW players and Backs ones.

Teikyo University’s CTB UEDA broke through Waseda University’s defensive line, advancing towards the try line. Hooker KAJIKAWA, following up, received the pass and scored a try directly under the opponent’s goalposts.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, tying the score at 7-7.

16 minutes into the first half:

During this period, Teikyo University leveraged the intensity of their individual contact to break down the opposing defense and advance. Waseda University fought back, pushing Teikyo back with accurate kicks from SO HATTORI and FB YAZAKI. Teikyo University’s WTB HIGUMA caught the kick and launched a counterattack. HIGUMA was tackled by 5 or 6 Waseda defenders but skillfully shook them off, broke through, and ran solo for about 50 meters, scoring a try in the left center of the opponent’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 7-14 and allowing Teikyo University to regain momentum.

20 minutes into the first half:

Teikyo University’s defense regained composure, halting Waseda University’s consecutive attacking advances. Amidst this, Teikyo committed a foul directly in front of the opponent’s goalposts. Waseda University opted for a penalty goal (PG) here.

Waseda University’s CTB NONAKA converted this PG, bringing the score to 10-14.

25 minutes into the first half:

Waseda University’s SO HATTORI caught a ball kicked deep into his own half and kicked it back deep into the opposition’s territory. The ball rolled over the opposition’s 22-meter line and went out of play. This triggered the 50-22 rule, resulting in a Waseda University lineout with possession near the opposition try line. HATTORI’s exceptional kicking skill sent the stadium roaring.

Waseda University launched a series of attacks deep in the opposition’s territory, pressing towards the try line. However, Teikyo University’s defense showed resilience, leading to a period of stalemate. During this phase, Teikyo University committed an offside infringement. Waseda University gained another lineout opportunity on their own ball near the left corner just short of the try line in the opposition’s territory. Securing the ball, Waseda formed a maul and surged forward. Hooker SIMIZU scored the go-ahead try in the left corner of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, but the score became 15-14. Waseda University had successfully regained the lead.

30 minutes into the first half:

Waseda University’s FB YAZAKI chased down and made a fine catch of a short punt kicked by CTB FUKUSIMA from the right edge of the center of the field. YAZAKI then ran straight through to score a try in the left corner of the opposition’s in-goal area.

Waseda University supporters in the stadium erupted in cheers at FB YAZAKI’s try, arguably the key weapon in Waseda’s attack.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 20-14.

38th minute into the first half:

During this period, the momentum of the match had shifted slightly in Waseda University’s favor, but Teikyo University’s defense remained solid, preventing Waseda from getting close to the try line. Amidst this, a ball released from a scrum near the center of the goalposts reached Waseda University’s SO HATTORI. From this position, HATTORI attempted a drop goal and successfully kicked it through. Waseda supporters in the stands erupted in cheers at HATTORI’s skillful play.

The score became 23-14.

The first half ended with this score. Waseda held a 9-point lead, but Teikyo University had created several promising moments, promising an exciting second half.

Looking back at the first half, the first scrum of the match was formed just past the 30-minute mark. Last season’s Teikyo University would have dominated set-piece scrums, driving forward to force opponents into penalties and gain control. However, this season’s Teikyo has not consistently held the advantage in scrums. Their scoring pattern this season relies heavily on the backline’s ability to spread the ball and the finishing power of both wingers.

Now, the second half begins.

The second half saw both teams attacking deep into enemy territory, yet the deadlock persisted without converting into points.

17 minutes into the second half:

Waseda University was the first to break the deadlock in the second half. Securing possession from their own lineout near the right corner of the try line in the opposition’s territory, they formed a maul and drove straight through for a try. The try was scored by Waseda hooker SHIMIZU. This maul try, not seen in their November matchup, appears to be a tactic honed specifically for the University Championship.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 28-14.

23 minutes into the second half:

With less than 20 minutes remaining, Waseda University seized control of the match. Teikyo University, aiming for a 5th consecutive University Championship title, seemed to show signs of frustration, committing more penalties. Amidst this, Waseda University earned a penalty goal opportunity directly in front of the goalposts, about 30 meters out. Waseda University’s SO HATTORI converted it, widening the gap to 31-14.

31 minutes into the second half:

Against the struggling Teikyo University, loud chants of “Teikyo! Teikyo!” erupted from their supporters in the stadium. Not to be outdone, Waseda University supporters responded with loud chants of “Waseda!”

Teikyo University attempted individual attacks to break through Waseda’s defensive line, but struggled to gain ground. Amidst this, substitute FL KAI broke through the opposing defense and sprinted over 30 meters unchallenged. 4 Waseda defenders gave chase, but he skillfully evaded them with feints and scored a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area. This try showed Teikyo’s players still had the reserves to fight back.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 31-21.

Teikyo University closed the gap to 10 points, and the mood for a comeback was building.

For the final 10 minutes of the second half, Teikyo University pressed forward relentlessly. However, they were repeatedly stopped by Waseda University’s defense near the 22-meter line and failed to create any clear scoring opportunities.

The final whistle sounded, signaling the end of regulation time. Waseda University’s SO Hattori kicked the ball out of bounds, ending the match.

Waseda University avenged their loss in last season’s University Championship final with this victory.

Teikyo University, aiming for a fifth consecutive University Championship title, saw their run end here. It will be interesting to see what kind of team they build for next season.

Approximately 20 minutes after the first match ended, the second match commenced.

The second match featured a Kanto vs. Kansai showdown.

From a rugby spectator’s perspective, having both semifinal matches pit Kanto teams against Kansai teams creates a real buzz. This season, it was a bit disappointing that Kyoto Sangyo University was the only Kansai representative. Similarly, League One has too many teams based in the Tokyo metropolitan area. I hope professional teams will spread out across the country like the J-League in soccer. Otherwise, I don’t think the number of rugby fans will grow.

Now, let me introduce the two teams competing in the second match.

First, Meiji University, the top seed.

The Meiji University Rugby Club topped their Kanto University Rugby Rivalry group this season and advanced smoothly to the semifinals. However, their start to the season wasn’t great. They suffered a comeback loss in their season opener against Tsukuba University. Every match against the top teams in their championship group was a close contest, and they didn’t give off an overwhelmingly dominant impression. But as the season progressed, their unity gradually strengthened, and they began to show their true strength. Meiji University excels at scouting top high school players, but even being selected for the high school national team doesn’t guarantee a starting spot at Meiji. Given their exceptionally deep roster, their strength is almost expected. Yet, they have struggled to win the National University Championship. This unpredictability is part of rugby’s appeal. Can Meiji University finally achieve their long-held ambition of becoming university champions?

The starting lineup for this day was as follows.

Meiji University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Daisuke TASHIRO	180cm	108kg	21
2	Hampei NISHINO	175cm	103kg	21	U18,20,23Japan, JJ
3	Daito SASAKI	176cm	111kg	19	U18 Japan
4	Shusui KAMEI	191cm	91kg	21	U18,20,23Japan, Japan XV
5	Yuki KIKUCHI	186cm	106kg	22
6	Taison MOGAMI	185cm	100kg	22	U18,U20 Japan,JJ
7	Kotaro OKAWA	187cm	103kg	21	U18,20Japan, Japan XV
8	Toki TOSHIKAWA	181m	103kg	22	U18,20 Japan, Japan
9	Ryusei SHIBATA	175m	80kg	22
10	Ryunosuke ITO	172cm	78kg	21	U18,20,23Japan, Japan XV
11	Ryuto KOGA	184cm	87kg	19	U18,U20 Japan
12	Shota TAIRA	178cm	90kg	22	U18,20,23Japan, JJ
13	Kaishun AZUMA	183cm	85kg	22	U18 Japan
14	Eito SHIRAI	178cm	86kg	20	U18,20,23Japan
15	Jingo TAKENOSHITA	180cm	87kg	21	U18,U20 Japan,JapanXV,Japan
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

** Player to watch **

Eito SHIRAI. 178cm, 86kg, 20 years old. Position = CTB, WTB. Graduated from Toin Gakuen High School. U18, U20, U23 Japan. He won the national high school championship, represented Japan at various age levels, and has been a regular starter since his freshman year at Meiji University, despite its deep roster, becoming one of the university’s faces. Currently playing wing, he possesses exceptional rugby instincts, constantly reading the game and rarely losing possession. When he sees an opportunity, he appears unpredictably, linking plays and delivering decisive work in scoring situations. He resembles current Japan wing Osada in style. We look forward to seeing how much he develops in this tournament.

Next, an introduction to Meiji University’s opponent, Kyoto Sangyo University.

This season, Kyoto Sangyo University finished second in the Kansai A Group after losing to Tenri University, advancing to the University Championship. In the Championship itself, they secured a last-minute comeback victory over Keio University in the third round and against Tokai University in the quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals. As their approach to these matches shows, Kyoto Sangyo University has a chance to win if they can keep the game close until the final moments. However, a key point in this semifinal will be how much the team has improved its tendency to concede points early in matches, a recurring issue this season. Can Kyoto Sangyo University reach the final for the first time in its history?

This day’s starting lineup was as follows.

Kyoto Sangyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Keita KAWAKITA	182cm	110kg	20
2	Ryu HIRANO	180cm	100kg	22
3	Fuuga SANAGI	183cm	115kg	20
4	Chuuka ISHIBASHI	190cm	100kg	21	U18,U20,U23 Japan, JXV
5	Tohju ISHIKAWA	180cm	102kg	21
6	Sena TAKAGI	174cm	102kg	20
7	Morishi ITO	175cm	91kg	22
8	Sione POLUTELE	184cm	115kg	22	U18 Japan
9	Joji TAKAGI	168m	70kg	22	U18,U20,U23 Japan, JXV
10	Rikuto OHTA	173cm	80kg	20
11	Eroni NABURAGI	185cm	103kg	21	U18 Japan
12	Takato NASU	178cm	87kg	22	U18 Japan
13	Naoki HIRAYAMA	174cm	92kg	22
14	Shuichi KOBAYASHI	176cm	83kg	22
15	Kaiichi MIYAZATO	182cm	86kg	20	U18 Japan
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

＊＊ Player to watch ＊＊

Sione POLUTELE. 184cm, 115kg, 22 years old. Positions: FL, No.8, WTB, CTB. Graduated from Meguro Gakuin High School. Place of Birth: Tonga. A versatile player capable of playing from prop to wing. In his final university season, he serves as the leader of Kyoto Sangyo University’s rugby team. POLUTELE, who has been a regular starter since his freshman year, has now reached his final season. While Kyoto Sangyo University struggled to find form earlier this season, they have shown resilience in the University Championship, winning close matches and building their strength. One more win would secure their first-ever finals appearance since the club’s founding. The expectations resting on POLUTELE, the team’s central figure, are immense. After graduating, he is set to join the prestigious League One team, the Kobe Steelers.

Now, the first half begins.

The match kicked off with Kyoto Sangyo University’s kickoff.

16 minutes into the first half:

Historically, Kansai teams have dominated Kanto teams by overwhelming them with their forward pack’s overall strength. However, early in the match, Kyoto Sangyo gradually conceded ground under the pressure of Meiji University’s FWs.

As the opposition’s formation began to break down, Meiji University swiftly shifted play to their backs, making significant gains and advancing deep into the opposition’s try zone.

Finally, Meiji University’s FL MOGAMI scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 7-0 and giving Meiji University the opening points of the match.

18 minutes into the first half:

Immediately after Meiji University’s opening score, Kyoto Sangyo University entered the opposition’s territory from the restart kickoff. Following a lineout, they spread the ball to the right wing. WTB NABULAGI, on the opposite side, received the ball, drove straight diagonally right, and scored a try just inside the right goalpost.

The conversion kick was successful, tying the score at 7-7.

While Meiji University broke down the defense with organized play to score, Kyoto Sangyo University equalized through individual skill.

21 minutes into the first half:

During the mid-first-half exchanges, perhaps buoyed by confidence in winning individual points of contact, Meiji University gradually advanced through forward thrusts whenever they attacked. As Meiji University approached the try line in the opposition’s territory, a clever passing sequence between SO ITOH and CTB TAIRA broke through the defense. CTB TAIRA then scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 14-7.

25 minutes into the first half:

By this point, Meiji University began dominating the flow of the game. Kyoto Sangyo University couldn’t contain the wave-like attacks centered around Meiji’s forwards. As Meiji approached the try line, hooker NISHINO broke through the ruck and scored a try in the middle-right of the in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 21-7.

31 minutes into the first half:

As the first half drew to a close, Meiji University entered the opposition’s territory. They drove the scrum against Kyoto Sangyo University, forcing a collapsing penalty from the opposition. For Kyoto Sangyo University, once renowned for having the strongest student scrum, this was a humiliating play.

Meiji University opted for a penalty goal here, which CTB TAIRA converted, bringing the score to 24-7.

41 minutes into the first half:

Just before the end of the first half, Kyoto Sangyo University conceded another penalty at the scrum. This gave Meiji University a penalty goal opportunity directly in front of the goalposts, 30 meters out.

Meiji University’s CTB TAIRA converted it, bringing the score to 27-7.

The first half ended with this score.

As the 27-7 score indicated, Meiji University dominated the first half. Kyoto Sangyo University did score 1 try back, but it was essentially a result of individual skill, so it seemed unlikely to inflict significant psychological damage on the Meiji University team. Kyoto Sangyo University, known for their pride in forward line battles, would they be pushed aside like this? We hoped for a second-half surge.

After the 15-minute halftime break, the second half kicked off.

19 minutes into the second half:

From the restart, Kyoto Sangyo University increased their attacking phases, bringing the game to an even contest.

However, it was Meiji University who scored first in the second half. Near the halfway line, Meiji University’s scrum-half SHIBATA kicked a loose ball. The bouncing ball landed perfectly in SHIBATA’s hands, and he carried it straight through to the opposition’s in-goal area, scoring a try just inside the right post.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 34-7.

28 minutes into the second half:

Up to this point, Meiji University had dominated almost completely, but Kyoto Sangyo University finally managed to strike back.

Once again, it was Kyoto Sangyo University’s WTB NABULAGI who broke through. Receiving the ball on the left side of his own half, NABULAGI used his exceptional speed and physical strength to surge towards the opposition’s try line. Kyoto Sangyo University managed to keep the loose ball in play, eventually finding No. 8 POLUTELE. POLUTELE sliced through Meiji University’s defensive line, exchanged passes with a supporting player, and finally scored the try himself in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 34-14.

33 minutes into the second half:

Kyoto Sangyo University launched an offensive push late in the match. Though the point gap remained wide, the exchange of fierce contact play electrified the stadium. However, Meiji University seized a penalty goal opportunity directly in front of the opponent’s goalposts after a foul. Meiji University’s CTB TAIRA confidently converted it, widening the score to 37-14.

35 minutes into the second half:

Following the restart kickoff, Kyoto Sangyo University’s substitute WTB KOBAYASHI picked up a loose ball dropped by Meiji University’s forward and sprinted straight into the left corner of the opposition’s in-goal area to score a try.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, leaving the score at 37-19.

The score remained unchanged as the match ended.

Kyoto Sangyo University showed offensive momentum late in the game, but unfortunately conceded too many points in the first half. Consequently, Kyoto Sangyo University failed to advance to the final in this tournament as well. However, talented players are developing, and we hope they will open up new possibilities in the next championship.

Thus, the matchup for this season’s University Championship final is Meiji University vs. Waseda University. We look forward to the final on January 11th generating even more excitement than today’s match.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

(Written by Azul: December 29, 2025)

On December 13, 2025, the 2025-2026 season of Japan’s professional rugby league, League One, commenced. Within its top category, Division 1, all 12 teams will play 18 matches each between December 13, 2025 and May 10, 2026 with standings determined by wins and losses.

Following this, the postseason (May 23 to June 7) will see the top 6 teams advance to the playoffs to determine the champion of this season.

Meanwhile, the bottom 2 teams from Division 1 will face the top 2 teams from the lower division, Division 2, in promotion/relegation play-offs.

The kickoff time for this day’s match was 1:00 PM. The temperature was around 11 degrees Celsius. A basic tip for watching games in winter is to secure a seat in the sun—it’s key to enjoying a long match.

True to an opening game, attendance reached 14,441, filling about 80% of the stadium. Since the Home Team was the Black Rams, the majority of fans were likely Rams supporters. Black supporter gear stood out prominently.

Let’s introduce the 2 teams that faced off that day.

First, the Visitor Team: TOKYO Suntory Sungoliath.

Since the Top League era, Suntory Sungoliath has been a perennial contender for the championship. As their current team slogan, Aggressive Attacking Rugby, indicates, they boast the league’s strongest attacking power. Last season, they finished 6th, barely making the playoffs, a result the team found unsatisfactory. However, this season saw a rule change in League One increasing playing opportunities for Japanese players. This rule change is advantageous for the Sungoliath, who boast many Japanese star players fresh out of university. All eyes are on how they will perform this season.

This day’s starting lineup was as follows.

Suntory Sungoliath
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Kenta KOBAYASHI	181cm	115kg	26	Japan
2	Kienori GO	177cm	100kg	29
3	Shuhei TAKEUTI	183cm	115kg	28	Japan　21caps
4	George HAMMOND	199cm	115kg	25
5	Harry HOCKINGS	206cm	118kg	27	Japan　1caps
6	Kanji Shimokawa	188cm	105kg	26	Japan　22caps
7	Sam CANE	189cm	103kg	33	NZ　99caps
8	Tevita TATAFU	183m	119kg	29	Japan　17caps
9	Yutaka NAGARE	166cm	75kg	33	Japan　36caps
10	Mikiya Takamoto	171cm	80kg	24	Japan
11	Cheslin KOLBE	172cm	80kg	32	South Africa 49caps
12	Isaiah PUNIVAI	189cm	100kg	25
13	Taiga OZAKI	184cm	93kg	27
14	Seiya Ozaki	175cm	85kg	30	Japan　4caps
15	Kotaro MATSUSHIMA	178cm	88kg	32	Japan　55caps

＊＊ Player to watch ＊＊

Harry HOCKINGS. 206cm, 118kg, 27 years old. Position = Lock. Japan caps = 1. Originally from Australia. He played for the Southern Hemisphere’s Super Rugby, Reds for 3 seasons from 2018 to 2020, then transferred to Japan’s Suntory Sungoliath in 2021. At Sungoliath, he has leveraged his 208cm frame to play as a key regular starter. This season, he was selected for the Japan national team, making his long-awaited Test Match debut. His playing style features securing lineout balls using his height advantage. Furthermore, when forming a maul, positioning himself centrally allows him to apply pressure to the opposing maul. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in sight, significant growth is anticipated this season.

Next, an introduction to the home team for this match, the RICOH Black Rams.

Last season, the Black Rams, particularly their FW players, fought hard and showed performances that could hold their own against top teams. They finished 7th last season, pushing their ranking to the brink of playoff contention. The starting lineup for this day was as follows.

RICOH Black Rams
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Kazuma NISHI	180cm	105kg	30
2	Shin OUCHI	183cm	107kg	27
3	Paddy RYAN	190cm	116kg	36
4	Michael  ALLADICE	200cm	112kg	34
5	Reijiro YAMAMOTO	191cm	110kg	23
6	Harrison FOX	198cm	108kg	30
7	Shuhei MATSUHASHI	180cm	100kg	32	Japan 9 caps
8	Liam GILL	186cm	105kg	33	Australia 15 caps
9	TJ PERENARA	181cm	92kg	33	New Zealand 89caps
10	Ichigo NAKAKUSU	174cm	84kg	25	Japan
11	Tom TAKAMOTO	182cm	92kg	24
12	Yuki IKEDA	187cm	98kg	30	Japan 2caps
13	Lrrzlo SWARD	193cm	105kg	22
14	Main TAIRA	180cm	90kg	25	Japan 1cap
15	Isaac LUCAS	179cm	84kg	26

Unlike Sungoliath, the Black Rams find themselves at a slight disadvantage this season due to changes in the playing rules. Last season, the Black Rams fielded 10 to 11 foreign players in their starting lineup, but this season, only about 7 foreign players can take the field. Specifically, the left and right wingers (WTB) and flanker (FL) positions are now filled by Japanese players. What happens when the number of foreign player slots decreases? The intensity of contact play during matches inevitably drops. While increasing playing opportunities for Japanese players is the goal, looking ahead to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, I believe the Japanese national team won’t become stronger unless Japanese players emerge who can compete against foreign players and seize those opportunities. Personally, I consider this rule change a step backward.

＊＊　Player to Watch　＊＊

Yuki IKEDA. 187cm, 98kg, 30 years old. Position = CTB. Japan caps = 2. From Tokai University. Among the backline positions, center (CTB) involves the highest contact intensity and most frequent contact opportunities. IKEDA has played this position almost every minute throughout a full season with the Black Rams. He finally got playing time in this season’s Japan national team match, and I can’t help but hope for his success heading into RWC 2027.

Now, the first half begins.

The match kicked off with Sungoliath’s kickoff.

4 minutes into the first half:

Both teams kicked the ball around, sizing each other up early on. Within this, Sungoliath created the first scoring opportunity. It was a relatively easy position for a penalty goal, near the 22-meter line in front of the goalposts in the opposition’s half.

Sungoliath’s SO TAKAMOTO took the shot but missed, failing to score the opening points.

22 minutes into the first half:

Sungoliath dominated possession early, but after the 15-minute mark, Black Rams entered the opposition’s territory and launched consecutive attacks. During this, Sungoliath committed a penalty near their own 22-meter line. Black Rams, in a favorable position directly in front of the goalposts, opted for a penalty goal.

Black Rams’ SO NAKAKUSU converted it, putting the score at 3-0.

23 minutes into the first half:

After the restart following the penalty goal, WTB TAIRA caught the kickoff deep in his own half and immediately launched a counterattack. TAIRA then stepped past 5-6 defenders, gaining about 50m in one go. From here, the Black Rams continued their attack in the opposition’s territory. Finally, the Backs created numerical superiority on the left side, and FB LUCAS scored a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The Black Rams missed the conversion kick after the try, but this try brought the score to 8-0.

32 minutes into the first half:

As the first half drew to a close, Sungoliath finally entered the opposition’s territory and sustained their attack from there. Closing in on the opposition’s try line, they launched repeated waves of FW attacks. Finally, No. 8 TATAFU charged in and scored a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

Sungoliath successfully converted the try, narrowing the gap to 8-7.

The first half ended with this score, leaving the Home Team, the Black Rams, holding a one-point lead heading into the second half.

At halftime, set pieces were evenly matched, but in the ruck, Black Rams’ No. 8 Gill stood out defensively. Whenever Gill got involved in the ruck, the ball was turned over, preventing Sungoliath from establishing a rhythm for sustained attacks. Which team would take control of the game in the second half?

Now, the second half begins.

In this match, both teams were playing their season opener, but there were numerous penalties, resulting in many scoring opportunities going unrealized.

9 minutes into the second half:

Black Rams’ new signing, CTB SWARD, broke straight through from the first attack following a scrum near the center of the field and scored a try right under the goalposts. This player, despite this being his first professional contract with the Black Rams, was selected as a starter for the opening match. His ability to break through the line and score a try shows he is no ordinary rookie. He will be a player to watch going forward.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 15-7.

19 minutes into the second half:

Around this time, Sungoliath’s signature aggressive attacking rugby began to function effectively, leading to sustained waves of their attacks.

In response, the Black Rams defense countered with intense individual contact. However, as Sungoliath approached the try line in the opposition’s territory, they combined sustained attacks with a wide move from left to right, creating numerical advantage. Ultimately, WTB OZAKI scored a try in the right corner of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 15-12.

23 minutes into the second half:

Both teams created highlights in midfield through kicks and scrums. Here, Sungoliath won a scrum deep in the opposition’s territory, secured the ball, shifted play left, and gained numerical advantage. The ball was passed from FL CANE to substitute No.8 McMAHON, who scored a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 15-19 and completing Sungoliath’s comeback.

29 minutes into the second half:

As the match entered its final stages, Sungoliath’s high overall team work rate became increasingly evident. Players who came on as substitutes fulfilled their roles as impact players. When Sungoliath launched a big attack, Black Rams found themselves outnumbered, and ultimately, Sungoliath’s WTB KOLBE scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 15-24.

40 minutes into the second half:

At this point, the Black Rams had two players temporarily sent off due to fouls. Both teams’ strategies were clear: the Black Rams, seeing a comeback victory as unlikely, aimed to score a try to secure a bonus point by keeping the deficit within 7 points. Meanwhile, Sungoliath needed just one more try to secure a 3-try margin victory and earn the Bonus Point.

However, the 2-man disadvantage left the Black Rams stretched thin against Sungoliath’s expansive play, leading to a try in the right corner of the in-goal area. The try was scored by substitute CTB NAKAMURA.

The conversion kick after the try was unsuccessful, but the final score was 15-29, with Sungoliath securing a victory and earning 5 points.

The Black Rams also took the lead and created highlights until past the 20-minute mark of the second half. We look forward to both teams’ performances in the next round and beyond.

＊＊ My Watch Collection 3 ＊＊

CASIO G-Shock Mud Master GG-B100BA

My companion for this match was the CASIO G-Shock Mud Master GG-B100BA. This watch is a collaborative product between CASIO and the British Army.

Being a co-developed product with the British Army, this watch looks quite rugged.

Functionally, it boasts 20 ATM water resistance, Bluetooth smartphone time synchronization, altitude, temperature, compass, and barometric pressure measurement capabilities. It features a Mud Resist structure and shock resistance. It’s a tough watch built to withstand harsh conditions. Despite its appearance, it weighs a light 97g, showcasing CASIO’s high level of technical expertise.

The package arrived in the special equipment box shown in the photo above. The inclusion of the British Army mark and camouflage pattern box emphasizes its special edition feel.

Inside this box is the small box shown above. Opening it reveals the watch.

This watch was released in April 2020. I acquired mine on Yahoo! Auctions for ¥50,000.

One drawback is that it uses a replaceable battery, not solar charging, requiring battery replacement every 2 years. Otherwise, it’s a tough watch that can handle getting wet or being dropped without worry. However, if you want it to last, it’s essential to keep the resin parts, like the band, clean after use. If left sweaty and dirty, this band will break in about 2 years, but with proper care after use, it can last over 10 years.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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(Written by Azul: December 14, 2025)

On November 30, 2025, I went to watch a Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group match at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture. It took me 3 and a half hours to get from my hometown of Hachioji City in Tokyo to Kumagaya City in Saitama Prefecture, transferring between different modes of public transportation. Recently, I’ve started using the Green Car more often when traveling to watch games. Standing for long periods on the train makes me tired before I even arrive at the venue. However, riding in the comfortable Green Car, where I can sit back and relax, makes the long journey feel much shorter.

Today’s match was between Teikyo University, currently ranked 4th in the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group, and Keio University, ranked 5th. Both teams have already secured their places in the National University Rugby Championship. However, as you can see from the photo above, there were hardly any spectators. According to the organizers, the attendance for the day was 1,027. This was probably because, although Teikyo University had won this matchup 5 times in a row over the past 5 years, Teikyo University has been so strong that Keio University has been completely unable to compete, so the audience has lost interest in watching. However, I was hoping that this season’s match would be more enjoyable than usual because the two teams are more evenly matched.

The current standings for the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group this season were as follows.

	Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group Order 2025/11/30
order	team	Win	Lose	Winning Point
1	Waseda	5	1	32
2	Meiji	5	1	30
3	Tsukuba	5	1	28
4	Teikyo	4	2	27
5	Keio	3	3	21
6	Aoyama Gakuin	1	5	11
7	Nippon Sport Science	1	5	10
8	Rikkyo	0	6	6

Each team has 1 match remaining this season, but only the top five teams qualify for the National University Rugby Championship. With a significant point gap separating them from 6th place and below, qualification is already secured for Waseda University (1st) through Keio University (5th). However, the points are tightly clustered among the top 4 teams, so the exact order is likely to change.

Now, an introduction to the 2 teams facing off today.

First, Keio University Rugby Club.

Celebrating its 126th anniversary this season, it is the oldest team in Japanese rugby history. Regarding their playing style, they previously employed a style similar to the England team, kicking high punts and having forwards run in to gain ground. However, they have now shifted to a style that actively involves the backs and utilizes the entire field. Since last season, Keio has seen many players from the Japan U-18 national team join their ranks. Given the quality of these recruits, they could be contenders for the University Championship title within the next 2 to 3 years. This season, as the campaign progresses, the team has strengthened, putting up competitive performances against top-tier opponents and delighting their fans.

The starting lineup for this match was as follows.

Keio University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Yugo IBUKI	175cm	100kg	20
2	Takahiro FUJIMORI	173cm	102kg	21
3	Taisei NAKAYA	180cm	115kg	22
4	Seiichiro NISHINO	184cm	92kg	18	U-18,U-20 Japan
5	Keyver Bladley KYO	182cm	90kg	20	U18Japan
6	Yuichiro ONDA	175cm	100kg	20
7	Kise SIN	175cm	93kg	19	U18Japan
8	Masanori NAKANO	176m	107kg	19	U-20 Japan
9	Dansuke HASHIMOTO	169m	76kg	22
10	Yuki KOBAYASHI	168cm	75kg	18	U18Japan
11	Takumi KUSANAGI	177cm	87kg	19
12	Ryohei IMANO	183cm	90kg	22	U-18,U-20 Japan,JJ
13	Ryotaro ANZAI	180cm	84kg	19	U18Japan
14	O IBUKI	176cm	81kg	22
15	Yutaro TAMURA	174cm	80kg	19
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

Next, an introduction to the Teikyo University Rugby Club.

Currently the reigning national university champions with 4 consecutive titles, this season’s team has struggled. After close matches, they lost to Tsukuba University and Meiji University, eliminating their chances of winning this season’s Kanto University Rugby Championship group. However, they did secure a victory against Waseda University Rugby Club, a team they battled for the title last season, demonstrating their underlying strength. If the team’s cohesion deepens, they possess the capability to aim for consecutive national championships. However, this season’s championship features exceptionally competitive teams, meaning even defending champions Teikyo University cannot afford complacency. Rugby fans can look forward to many exciting matches.

The starting lineup for the day was as follows:

Teikyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Ryota UENO	181cm	114kg	20
2	Naoyoshi KAJIKAWA	172cm	100kg	20
3	Tsubasa MORIYAMA	180cm	109kg	21	JXV,U18Japan,Japan
4	Akihiro TSUBONE	185cm	105kg	19	U18Japan
5	Antonio FISIPUNA	192cm	115kg	19	U18Japan
6	Shido KUREYAMA	190cm	90kg	21
7	Noeru KAWAMURA	175cm	90kg	22
8	Kaisa DAUNAKAMAKAMA	182cm	120kg	21	U-18 Japan
9	Yoshito MITAMURA	169cm	75kg	20	U-20 Japan
10	Takaya MOTOHASHI	181cm	88kg	21	U-20 Japan,JXV,Japan
11	Genki IKUTA	170cm	82kg	22	U-20 Japan,JJ
12	Yoshiki OMACHI	173cm	80kg	21	U-18,U-20 Japan,JJ
13	Futo SATO	180cm	87kg	20	U-18,U-20 Japan
14	Yusuke YOSHIDA	185cm	89kg	21
15	Rui YOSHIDA	176cm	85kg	19
					JJ=Junior Japan
					JXV=Japan XV

Now, the first half begins.

Teikyo University, currently defending their university championship title this season, is struggling. One reason may be the absence of a forward who can break through the defense. While CTB OOMACHI is Teikyo’s captain this season, their tactic of relying on the backs to break through hasn’t fully materialized yet. Furthermore, since Teikyo’s forward pack isn’t driving the attack forward, the intimidating presence Teikyo displayed in previous seasons is noticeably lacking. This might give opponents the impression that they are easier to play against.

However, the potential within Teikyo’s forwards is evident.

As the season progresses, if the forwards’ awareness awakens, they still have the potential to dominate matches.

That said, Teikyo’s backs this season show improved penetration and finishing ability when attacking. They draw deep lines, allowing each back to accelerate, receive the ball, and shift the defense before developing plays. This creates overloads on the wings during sustained attacks. Combined with the high finishing ability of both wingers, this forms the strength of Teikyo’s backs this season.

This match progressed at Teikyo University’s pace in the first half. While Keio University’s defense showed resilience in scrums and rucks, Teikyo’s backs repeatedly broke through the gain line and piled up tries as they built phases.

They scored four tries in the first half at 9′, 18′, 29′, and 34′. Furthermore, they did not concede any points to Keio University in the first half.

Although Teikyo and Keio are only one spot apart in the standings this season, Teikyo’s attacking power clearly overwhelmed Keio in the first half.

At halftime, Teikyo University had, just like last season, overpowered Keio University with sheer strength. This was somewhat unexpected, as a close contest had been predicted before kickoff. Keio University managed to advance their line several times to around the opponent’s 22-meter line, but they couldn’t break through to the try line from there.

Now, the second half begins.

Teikyo University scored the opening try of the second half once again. Keio’s defense tackled tenaciously, but Teikyo’s backs steadily connected passes, allowing their attack to continue and lead to points.

However, in the 11th minute of the second half, Keio University finally crossed the opposition’s 22-meter line, advanced, and scored their first try of the match in the left corner of the goalposts. The scorer was Keio University’s FL SHIN.

What caught the eye during Keio University’s second-half counterattack were their first-year players. Six players who had won the national high school championship with Toin Gakuen were selected for the starting lineup that day. They performed well at crucial moments, particularly standing out defensively.

In the 20th minute of the second half, Keio University scored their second try of the day. WTB IBUKI crossed over in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area. Keio seemed to have identified gaps in Teikyo’s defense at this point, creating more opportunities to break through the line.

Although Keio mounted a counterattack in the second half, Teikyo demonstrated their superior ball-handling skills when transitioning to offense. They scored 4 more tries in the second half, pulling away from Keio to secure a final score of 50-19.

Both teams competing today could potentially meet again if they advance in the University Championship. Though Keio University lost this time, we hope they unleash their potential in the University Championship and deliver a great match.

＊＊ Jersey Collection 75 ＊＊

AVIREX 50th Anniversary Commemorative Jacket

The other day, when I went to Tachikawa City to meet a friend, this jacket caught my eye at the AVIREX shop in front of the station, and I ended up buying it on impulse. The price was 39,800 yen. AVIREX products bought in Japan are generally about twice the price of ALPHA products. Because it was so expensive, I hesitated for about 10 minutes, but I bought it anyway.

What really captured my heart was definitely this orange color.

This was my first time buying an AVIREX jacket, but since I didn’t think ALPHA’s shop carried the same model, I went ahead and bought it.

The lining color is like a MA-1, so it really stands out when worn in town. I’ve seen people wearing the same jacket in black or gray around town, but I haven’t seen anyone wearing this orange one yet.

The inside of the jacket has a camouflage pattern. It’s perfect for meeting someone in the city and getting spotted.

＊＊　My　Watch　Collection　3　＊＊

INVICTA　BOLT　43760

Since I bought the orange AVIREX jacket, I was looking for an orange watch to coordinate with it. That’s when I found the INVICTA BOLT pictured above. It’s a watch that stands out just as much as the AVIREX jacket.

However, I got it for a pretty good price: 19,000 yen. The INVICTA brand was founded in Switzerland in 1831 but moved its headquarters to the United States in 1991.

I think this INVICTA brand isn’t widely recognized in Japan, which is why it’s sold at this price. If the brand’s popularity rises in the near future, the selling price could go up.

This watch has a very rugged design and weighs about 240g, which is twice as much as a CASIO G-Shock. It’s too heavy for women to wear comfortably, but it’s definitely a masculine watch.

It doesn’t have as many functions as a G-Shock, but its unique design is truly one-of-a-kind. The standout feature of this BOLT is the thick wire forming the watch’s grill.

For a while, I’ll likely be wearing it more often, paired with my AVIREX jacket.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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(Written by Azul: November 16, 2025)

On October 25, 2025, a friendly match between the Japan national rugby team, the Brave Blossoms, and the Australian national team, the Wallabies, was held at the National Stadium in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo. The Japanese team had lost all 6 previous matches against Australia and still had no victories. Could the Japanese team finally secure their first win in this 7th encounter?

Unfortunately, the weather brought rain. The temperature was 15 degrees Celsius, making for a chilly match to watch.

Attendance for the day was 41,612, a fairly decent turnout.

The Japanese national team is scheduled to tour Europe next, playing 4 Test matches.

The results of the Japanese national rugby team’s Test matches this season are as follows.

Japan　Rugby　Test　Match　2025
	Date	Opponent	match venue	Result
1	6/28	Maori All Blacks	Tokyo	20-53●
2	7/5	Wales	Kitakyushu	24-19○
3	7/12	Wales	Kobe	22-31●
4	8/30	Canada	Sendai	57-15○
5	9/7	USA	Heart Health Park	47-21○
6	9/15	Tonga	Dicks Sporting Goods Park	62-24○
7	9/21	Fiji	America　First　Field	27-33●
8	10/18	Australia　A	Yodokou Sakura Stadium	7-71●
5	10/25	Australia	Tokyo
6	11/1	South　Africa	London
7	11/8	Ireland	Dublin
8	11/15	Wales	Cardiff
9	11/22	Georgia

Looking at the results so far, the Brave Blossoms have lost to opponents ranked higher in the world, except for the 7-5 win against Wales. With upcoming Test matches against higher-ranked nations, we hope to see them perform even better than last season.

Now, let’s introduce the 2 teams competing this day.

First, the Visitor Team: the Australian national rugby team, the Wallabies.

Currently ranked 7th in the world. They have won the Rugby World Cup twice, in 1991 and 1999. At RWC 2023, they suffered the humiliation of their first-ever pool stage elimination. However, since last season, the team has strengthened and is regaining its peak form. The Wallabies’ playing style combines dazzling open attack with stable set pieces anchored by a powerful forward pack. They are not a team that relies solely on the forwards to attack, making them a good matchup for the Brave Blossoms, who also excel in open attack. This has historically produced exciting matches. However, the head-to-head record favors the Australian national team completely. The Japanese national team has never won.

＊＊　Player to watch　＊＊

Rob VALETINI. 193cm, 117kg, 27 years old. Position = FL, No. 8. Club = Brumbies. Australia caps = 39. The second player in history to sign a Super Rugby contract while still in high school. In 2018, he suffered a major injury that forced him to take an extended break. However, his subsequent performances earned him his Australian Test debut against Samoa in September 2019. His playing style, leveraging his powerful physique, features strong ball carries and clever offload play that leaves a strong impression on spectators. In 2023, he was named Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year.

In this Test match, the powerful Wallabies back row, centered around him, is expected to dominate the game.

Next, an introduction to the Home Team, the Japan national rugby team, the Brave Blossoms.

The Brave Blossoms face 4 consecutive weeks of matches against teams ranked in the top tier of the world rankings starting this week. The goal for this series is to elevate their current world ranking of 13th into the top 12. The RWC 2027 pool draw will be determined by the world rankings as of December this year. To secure a favorable pool draw in the RWC 2027 qualifiers, they aim to accumulate wins even against top-ranked opponents. Will the Brave Blossoms succeed?

＊＊　Player to watch　＊＊

(The player standing in the left corner of the photo above is Ben GUNTER)

Ben GUNTER. 195cm, 120kg, 28 years old. Position = FL. Club = Panasonic Wildknights. Japan National Team Caps= 16. Born in Australia. After graduating high school in Australia, he was unable to secure a professional contract with a local team. However, he passed the tryouts for Japan’s Wildknights and turned professional in Japan. At age 19, he set the record for the youngest player ever to appear in a Top League match,Japan. Later, at age 21, he was selected for the Sun Wolves, Super Rugby Team. At age 26, he was selected for the Japan National Team for RWC 2023. He is currently a central defensive player for the Japan national team. His physical abilities are world-class. His tackles are so powerful that he has suffered frequent injuries in the past, limiting his caps. We hope he can approach RWC 2027 in peak physical condition.

Now, the first half kicks off.

One week prior, Japan XV, the Japan national team’s reserve squad, suffered a humiliating defeat against Australia A. The Brave Blossoms, Japan’s national team, faced immense pressure in this home game, carrying the hopes of their local fans. The previous week, Japan XV’s set pieces nearly collapsed under the opposing team’s pressure, leading to their heavy defeat. On offense, Japan XV’s attacks failed to breach Australia A’s defensive line, resulting in them being shut down except for FB YAZAKI’s try.

Could the Brave Blossoms live up to the expectations of the Japanese fans?

The Brave Blossoms successfully retained possession in the first scrum. However, in the early scrum battles, the Wallabies held a slight advantage.

13 minutes into the first half:

The Brave Blossoms failed to secure the ball at their own lineout. Despite having the 201cm tall jumper DEARNS, they couldn’t win the ball. This allowed the Wallabies to advance deep into the opposition’s territory. Their forwards drove forward vertically, scoring the opening try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area after only a few phases.

The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 0-7.

27 minutes into the first half:

Rain had been falling since kickoff, causing the ball to be quite slippery and leading to numerous handling errors like knock-forwards. Consequently, both teams’ scrum-halves adopted a strategy of kicking for contest deep into the opposition’s territory after some build-up play, aiming to regain possession.

During this phase of play, the Wallabies committed an offside infringement in a scrum. The Brave Blossoms, seeing the infringement occurred directly in front of the goalposts, approximately 30 meters out, opted for a penalty goal.

Brave Blossoms SO LEE converted this penalty goal, bringing the score to 3-7.

30 minutes into the first half:

The Brave Blossoms needed to regain ground after catching the restart kickoff in their own half. However, they committed a knock-forward penalty in their own territory, resulting in a Wallabies scrum. From there, the Wallabies advanced, with FB KELLAWAY breaking through the line on the first attack. He passed to the following CTB FLOOK, who carried it straight into the opposition’s goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 3-14.

The first half ended with this score. While the rainy weather played a part, the Brave Blossoms spent little time attacking and were mostly on defense. In contrast, the Wallabies showed efficient attacking, converting their opportunities into points without wasting much time.

Can the Brave Blossoms stage a comeback in the second half despite this disadvantage?

Before the second half began, heavy rain started falling, worsening the ground conditions.

Now, the second half begun.

The Brave Blossoms finally penetrated the opposition’s territory and launched a series of attacks, though they failed to get them into scores. However, the Wallabies’ defense was solid, preventing them from reaching the try line.

12 minutes into the second half:

The Wallabies committed a foul near the center of the field, and the Brave Blossoms opted for a penalty kick. SO LEE kicked the ball to a position threatening the try line, earning a lineout on the left corner in a prime spot. Securing the ball here, the Brave Blossoms’ forwards repeatedly launched side attacks towards the try line.

In this sequence, Brave Blossoms prop TAKEUTI broke through the opposition defense and scored a try in the left center of the in-goal area. The Brave Blossoms scored their first try of the match. The stadium erupted in the loudest cheer of the day.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 8-14.

17 minutes into the second half:

As if spurred by the Brave Blossoms’ earlier try, the Wallabies players’ fighting spirit ignited. Entering the opposition’s territory, the Wallabies forwards relentlessly drove forward through the scrum side.

The Brave Blossoms desperately defended their try line but committed an offside infringement. The Wallabies gained territory through a penalty kick and earned a lineout on the left side of the opposition’s try line. Securing the ball, the Wallabies formed a maul and surged forward, with FL TIZZANO scoring a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 8-19.

21 minutes into the second half:

During this period, both teams traded points, and the game became evenly matched.

The Brave Blossoms continued their attack in the opposition’s territory from the restart kickoff, gradually closing in on the try line.

The Brave Blossoms gained the upper hand in the scrum, with scrum-half FUJIWARA driving forward to within 50 cm of the try line.

Flanker GUNTER followed up, breaking through the scrum and darting to the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area to score a try.

The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 15-1.

In the remaining minutes of the second half, the Brave Blossoms took control of the attack, launching consecutive drives deep into the opposition’s territory. However, they were unable to score, and the Brave Blossoms ultimately lost the match by a margin of 4 points, with the final score 15-19. Having created several chances in the second half, the Brave Blossoms were eager to cap off their final domestic Test match of the season with a victory.

Moving forward, the Brave Blossoms must improve their world ranking during their European tour to secure a favorable draw for RWC 2027. We look forward to the Brave Blossoms’ strong performance this season.

＊＊　My　Watch　Collection　2　＊＊

My companion for this match was the VOSTOK EUROPE LUNAR ECLIPSE.

I purchased it from an online watch specialty store. The purchase price was 90,000 yen.

The design of this watch really struck a chord with me. True to its name, Lunar Eclipse, it has a fantastical design.

Functionally, it features 20 ATM water resistance and a stopwatch function. Compared to CASIO, it’s not packed with features. However, the real strength of this watch, as I’ve mentioned before, is its design.

Regarding the manufacturer, VOSTOK existed in the former Soviet Union. After the collapse of the USSR, the manufacturer was reportedly dissolved. It was then reestablished in Lithuania under the name VOSTOK EUROPE. While the company itself moved to Lithuania, many watches produced here carry names clearly targeting the Russian market.

Recent VOSTOK products exhibit a strong sense of individuality in their design, ranging from pieces that follow the traditional Soviet-era style to those that evoke Lithuanian culture. I did replace one part on this watch. In its original state, the watch came with a leather strap. Considering potential use near water, I replaced it with an Italian-made urethane strap from MORELLATO. This strap has a high-quality feel, seems very durable, and above all, offers an exceptional wearing comfort.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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(Written by Azul: November 1, 2025)

On October 18^th,2025 , I traveled to Osaka for a friendly match between the Japan national rugby team and the Australia A team.

That day, I boarded the Shinkansen Nozomi 15 departing at 8:31 AM and arrived at Shin-Osaka Station at 10:39 AM. From Shin-Osaka, I took the Midosuji subway line and got off at Nagai Station. The subway ride took about 40 minutes.

From Nagai Station, it took less than 10 minutes to walk leisurely to the stadium.

The photo above shows Nagai Athletic Stadium, located next to today’s match venue. And here is Yodoko Sakura Stadium, this day’s match venue.

This stadium has a capacity of 24,644 spectators. It is the home stadium for Cerezo Osaka, a Japanese professional soccer team.

The weather that day was cloudy with a high of 26.3 degrees Celsius, making for quite humid and muggy conditions.

Attendance for the day was 10,105, showing decent popularity. Ideally, we’d want a full house, but Kansai fans are relatively discerning, so filling the stadium requires significant marketing effort.

Now, let’s introduce the 2 teams competing this day.

First, the Visitor Team: Australia A.

Australia A is a second-tier team, akin to the Wallabies, Australia’s national team. Since the Wallabies themselves are a powerhouse team boasting 2 RWC championships, this Australia A team is also quite strong. When we faced them 2 years ago, Japan fielded what was essentially the national team and still ended up with one win and two losses. This time, Japan XV is essentially a second-string team, so it would be interesting to see how much they can compete.

The starting lineup for the day was as follows.

Australia A
No.	Name	height	weight	age	Club	Australia Caps
1	Isaac KAILEA	190cm	129kg	25	Wallatahs	8
2	Matt FAESSLER	183cm	105kg	26	Reds	15
3	Rhys VAN NEK	177cm	108kg	26	Brumbies
4	Darcy SWAIN	200cm	113kg	28	Force	17
5	Josh CANHAM	202cm	119kg	24	Reds	1
6	Rory SCOTT	189cm	100kg	25	Brumbies
7	Luke REIMER	187cm	102kg	25	Brumbies	1
8	Pete Sam	185cm	102kg	33	Brumbies	33
9	Teddy WILSON	182cm	84kg	22	Wallatahs
10	Ben DONALDSON	184cm	84kg	26	Force	7
11	Ollie SAPSFORD	191cm	104kg	30	Brumbies
12	Hamish STEWART	183cm	90kg	27	Force	2
13	Joey WALTON	182cm	94kg	25	Wallatahs
14	Tim RYAN	186cm	88kg	21	Reds
15	Mac GREALY	180cm	89kg	23	Force

** Player to Watch **

Ben DONALDSON. 184cm, 84kg, 26 years old. Position = SO, FB. Club = Western Force. Australia Caps = 7. He made his international debut in a 2022 Test match against Italy. He was subsequently selected for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, appearing in 4 matches and scoring 45 points. He was also selected for 2 matches against the British & Irish Lions this season.

He boasts powerful physicality that holds its own against opposing defenders in contact, and is also a skilled kicker with a high success rate on conversions from difficult angles. Japan XV must apply pressure to DONALDSON to prevent him from freely dictating the game.

Next, an introduction to the Home Team, Japan XV.

This Japan XV squad features young players selected from the national team candidate training camp. While the backs include experienced internationals with numerous caps, the forwards include several players who are only semi-regulars for their clubs, having just graduated from university. While they show promise for the future, it remains to be seen how much they can compete against the strong Australia A team. We hope the players will rise to the occasion to build momentum for the next match.

The starting lineup for the day was as follows.

Japan XV
No.	Name	height	weight	age	Club	Japan Caps
1	Sho FURUHATA	185cm	123kg	28	Wild Knights
2	Shodai HIRAO	174cm	105kg	23	Sungoliath
3	Sanshiro KIHARA	181cm	110kg	22	Sungoliath
4	David VAN ZEALAND	196cm	116kg	25	Spears
5	Shu YAMAMOTO	190m	97kg	26	Black Rams
6	Tyler PAUL	195m	112kg	30	Spears
7	Akito OKUI	178cm	105kg	24	Verblitz
8	Amanaki SAUMAKI	189m	110kg	28	Eagles	5
9	Shuntaro KITAMURA	168cm	70kg	23	Blue Revs	1
10	Itigo NAKAKUSU	174cm	84kg	25	Black Rams	3
11	Halatoa VAILEA	187cm	103kg	26	Spears	2
12	Siosaia FIFITA	186cm	100kg	28	Verblitz	16
13	Yuya HIROSE	181cm	92kg	24	Spears	4
14	Kazuma UEDA	177cm	87kg	22	Steelers
15	Yoshitaka YAZAKI	180cm	85kg	21	Waseda Univ.	5

＊＊　Player to Watch　＊＊

Itigo NAKAKUSU. 174cm, 84kg, 25 years old. Position = SO, FB. Club = RICOH Black Rams.

Graduated from Keio University. Japan National Team Caps = 3. He is a player who displays innate game-making sense. While his physicality still shows room for improvement, he possesses remarkable luck, having been selected for the Japan national team at just 23 years old. His growth as a player will contribute to the Japan national team’s advancement, so we hope he continues to play matches and gain experience.

Now, the first half began.

The match started with Japan XV kicking off.

Japan XV’s movement immediately after kickoff was good. They won the ball in a scrum, launched a sustained attack, and advanced deep into the opposition’s 22-meter zone.

Japan XV gained possession for a lineout inside the opposition’s 22, but Australia A stole the ball. Australia A then counterattacked, driving deep into Japan XV’s territory and putting them under pressure.

6 minutes into the first half:

With the ball about 3m from the try line, the first scrum of the match was awarded.

Australia A won the scrum, released the ball, and moved it left. Led by their forwards, they steadily advanced towards the try line. On the 3rd attack, Australia A’s lock, SWAIN, scored the opening try, touching down just inside the left goalpost of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 0-7.

9 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kickoff, Japan XV drove deep into the opposition’s territory. After releasing the ball from a scrum, they spread play to the left. SO NAKAKUSU executed a superb short punt, creating a golden try opportunity. However, Australia A’s SH WILSON made an incredible recovery to prevent the try.

14 minutes into the first half:

During this period, Japan XV created several decisive scoring opportunities, but Australia A’s solid defense prevented them from crossing the try line.

Australia A then regained possession. Following a sustained attack, the ball was spread to the left and reached FB GREALY. He used his speed to break through the line and, tangled up with defenders, scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, leaving the score at 0-12.

17 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kickoff, Japan XV entered the opposition’s territory, and the backs launched a series of attacks. WTB UEDA approached the try line, attempted a short punt, and tried to secure it, but Australia A’s FB GREALY snatched it and launched a counterattack from near his own try line.

Australia A players followed up, passing the ball in succession. Finally, lock SWAIN scored his second try of the day in the left center of the opposition’s try zone.

The conversion kick was successful, bringing the score to 0-19.

20 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kickoff, Australia A secured possession. They linked up with short passes through the scrum, successfully breaking the line twice. Finally, WTB RYAN scored a try in the center-right of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 0-26.

22 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kickoff, Japan XV moved the ball from near the center of the field to the left. FB YAZAKI, joining the attack from the line, used his trademark speed to break through the line, evading two defenders, and scored a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 7-26. Japan XV finally scored their first points of the match.

28 minutes into the first half:

From the restart kickoff, Australia A gained advantage in set plays after entering the opposition’s territory, advancing beyond the 22-meter line. From there, Australia A’s forwards repeatedly attacked the flanks, forming a maul near the opposition try line. Finally, scrum-half WILSON drove through the maul’s side to score a try.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 7-33.

The first half ended with this score.

Japan XV showed individual breakthroughs, but their team coordination showed cracks. They couldn’t score, and defensively, they failed to break Australia A’s passing connections.

This marked the 15-minute halftime break.

Near my seat, rugby entertainer SHINYA mingled with fans. He was quite popular.

Could Japan XV overcome this deficit in the second half?

And so, the second half began.

2 minutes into the second half:

From the kickoff, Australia A broke the line from their own lineout and surged towards the try line. Japan XV defended desperately here, but ultimately conceded another try to Australia A. The try was scored by FL RAIMER.

The conversion kick after the try was successful, bringing the score to 7-40.

6 minutes into the second half:

Although only 5 minutes into the second half, Japan XV’s defense was already beginning to collapse. They could no longer halt Australia A’s advances, allowing the ball to be passed repeatedly and points to pile up. Australia A linked passes from their own half, advanced down the left flank, and finally formed a maul to drive forward. Hooker FAESLER scored a try in the left center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 7-47.

7 minutes into the second half:

Japan XV failed to regain possession from the restart kickoff after the try. From here, Australia A launched a counterattack deep in their own territory. Australia A attacked up the right side, rapidly advancing to near the opposition’s 22-meter line.

After securing the ball from the lineout, they spread the play to the left and scored a try with ease. The try was scored by prop VAN NEK. This try came in under 2 minutes from the  restart kickoff.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 7-54.

16 minutes into the second half:

Japan XV substituted their scrum-half and fly-half.

Both teams engaged in a deep kicking battle, turning the match into a war of attrition.

Australia A players, their legs tangled, fought hard to drive forward. Finally, center WALTON scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 7-59.

However, a TMO video review was conducted, and Australia A’s try was disallowed due to a foul committed during the play. The score was adjusted to 7-54.

18 minutes into the second half:

During this period, Australia A’s WTB SAPSFORD was penalized for a high tackle, shown a red card, and sent off. Australia A faced the disadvantage of playing the remainder of the match with 14 men.

However, Australia A won a scrum deep in the opposition’s territory, and Japan XV was penalized. Australia A opted for a penalty kick, driving deep into the opposition’s territory to gain a lineout on their own ball near the try line. Securing the ball, Australia A formed a maul and advanced. From there, they spread the ball wide, and substitute scrum-half ROBERTSON scored a try in the right corner of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 7-59.

23 minutes into the second half:

By this stage, despite being a man down, Australia A dominated set pieces. Japan XV was struggling to properly halt their attacks.

Japan XV could stop opponents trying to break through the scrum side, but they couldn’t disrupt the attack by intercepting the offload passes that followed.

Australia A accelerated their wave attacks once entering the opposition’s territory. SO DONALDSON broke through the line, advancing deep into the opposition’s try zone. From there, the ball was passed to substitute prop IELI, who scored a try in the right center of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 7-66.

In the 30th minute of the second half, Australia A’s CTB STEWART was temporarily sent off for 10 minutes due to repeated fouls. With 2 players down, Australia A’s offensive momentum inevitably slowed. Japan XV spent more time attacking in the opposition’s territory, but their lack of finishing power in front of the try line became evident.

37 minutes into the second half:

Despite being 2 players down, Australia A continued their attack, driving forward with each play. They moved the ball from the right edge to the left edge inside the opposition’s 22-meter line. Finally, WTB RYAN scored a try in the left corner of the opposition’s in-goal area.

The conversion kick after the try was missed, bringing the score to 7-74.

The match ended with this score.

In terms of the match content, it was a crushing defeat for Japan XV. Without FB YAZAKI’s try, it would have been a humiliating shutout loss. Continuing to play matches like this risks not being scheduled for next season, leaving a lasting negative impact for the future.

This means the Japanese national team will need to put up a strong fight in next week’s Test match against Australia.

＊＊ My Watch Collection ＊＊

Starting this time, I’ll be introducing the wristwatch I wear to the match venue.

My companion for this journey is the

CASIO G-SHOCK Gravity Master GR-B200.

CASIO heavily promotes its best-selling G-SHOCK watches, known as Master of G, broadly categorized into 3 types:

1)    Master of G, Land

2)    Master of G, Sea

3)           Master of G, Air

The G-SHOCK Master of G models were created to meet the demands of professionals working in the harsh environments of land, sea, and air.

This time, I wore the Master of G, Air GR-B200. The price was 39,800 yen when purchased new. Looking at the front, a distinctive feature is the carbon fiber insert in the bezel surrounding the watch, emphasizing both design and its lightweight yet high rigidity.

As a fundamental G-SHOCK feature, it boasts 20-bar water resistance, allowing you to swim with it. Time adjustment uses Bluetooth to sync with your smartphone, ensuring accuracy down to the second. One disappointment was that the watch’s battery isn’t solar-powered. Therefore, regular battery replacement is necessary (every 2-3 years).

A distinctive design feature of this watch is that, when viewed from the side, the operation buttons are modeled after a helicopter’s control stick. This side design makes a strong impression, so it will likely divide users. I personally liked this design, but since it wasn’t adopted in subsequent models, it might have struggled in sales.

Regardless of this specific model, the reassuring points when using G-SHOCK are:

1) It displays accurate time (as long as paired with a smartphone).

2) It rarely breaks, even if dropped.

3) It resists water ingress. While not a Divers Watch and unsuitable for diving, it won’t leak during activities like swimming.

These features make G-SHOCK invaluable for filming competitions.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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 (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 2^nd 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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