Month: January 2024

 (Written by Azul: 22 January, 2024)

The National University Rugby Football Championship for the 2023-2024 season reached its semi-finals on 2 January.

The results of the quarter-finals were as follows.

* University of Tsukuba vs Meiji University: 7-45.

* Tenri University vs Tokai University: 34-14.

* Teikyo University vs Kwansei Gakuin University: 78-15

Kyoto Sangyo University vs Waseda University: 65-28

As a result, the pairings for the University Championship semi-finals were decided as follows

Match 1: Kyoto Sangyo University vs Meiji University

Match 2: Teikyo University vs Tenri University

As for the pairings, the two matches are a Kanto vs Kansai showdown, and all teams have strong FWs, making it an exciting semi-final for fans watching the matches.

The semi-finals and final of the University Championships will be held at the National Stadium in Sendagaya, Tokyo, and the heated matches are expected to be enlivened by the cheering crowds.

Let’s introduce the two teams that will play in the first match.

First, let me introduce the Kyoto Sangyo University Rugby Club.

Kyoto Sangyo University was founded in 1964. It has won the Kansai University League seven times and is currently on a three-year winning streak. The team has produced many national team players such as Daisuke Ohata. The team’s style of play is characterised by FW set-pieces, especially strong scrums. In the past, Kyosan University’s style was to gather nationally unknown high school students, train them hard and challenge traditional schools. However, in recent years, due to their consistent performance in university championships, they have begun to attract players from the Japanese high school national team and are expected to develop in the future.

Today’s starting line-up is as follows.

Kyoto Sangyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Ryushin SONE	175cm	103kg	21
2	Lee SOONHONG	171cm	100kg	21
3	Shinta KAWAGUCHI	186cm	120kg	21
4	Chuka ISHIBASHI	190cm	93kg	19	U-18 JAPAN
5	Soromone L.FUNAKI	186cm	114kg	21
6	Ken HIYOSHI	180cm	100kg	21
7	Kosei MIKI	174cm	95kg	21	U18 Japan
8	Sione POLUTELE	184cm	110kg	20	U18 Japan
9	Asahi DOEI	170cm	73kg	20	U20 Japan, JJ
10	Daigo YOSHIMOTO	184cm	90kg	19	U18 Japan
11	Hiroto NISHI	170cm	75kg	21
12	Rimpei ONO	170cm	84kg	20
13	Ryosei TAKAI	176cm	82kg	22
14	Taiga MATSUOKA	170cm	77kg	22
15	Hayata TSUJINO	178cm	85kg	20
					JJ=Junior Japan

** Player to watch **

Chuka ISHIBASHI. 190 cm, 93 kg, 19 years old. Position = lock. Graduated from Houtoku Gakuen High School. Half Nigerian father, half Japanese mother, U18 Japan, one of the golden generation who toured Ireland this spring and defeated the U19 Ireland national team. After entering Kyoto Sangyo University, he has secured a regular position in the powerful Kyoto Sangyo University FW despite being a first-year student. He is a big, mobile player, as he also won the national championship in high school seven-man rugby.

Next up is the Meiji University Rugby Club.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the club’s founding, and the members are working together to achieve their goal of winning the University Championship. In the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group, the team finished second after losing to Teikyo University, but their captain, CTB Yuya HIROSE, who was out due to injury, will return from this match and will be fully fit to face this match. In addition to their traditional strong FW, this season Meiji University have a lot of talent in their BK players, and will be competing on overall strength.

Today’s starting line-up is as follows.

Meiji University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Junki TOKODA	178cm	103kg	22
2	Junichiro MATSUSHITA	173cm	99kg	22
3	Keijiro TAMEFUSA	180cm	110kg	22	U18 Japan
4	Reijiro YAMAMOTO	191cm	111kg	21	U18 Japan
5	Daichi SATO	183cm	100kg	22
6	Yuta MORIYAMA	183cm	100kg	22
7	Taisei FUKUDA	173cm	95kg	21
8	Taishiro KIDO	185m	104kg	21
9	Shu HAGIHARA	173m	77kg	22
10	Kotaro ITO	176cm	86kg	22
11	Kohaku EBISAWA	173cm	80kg	19
12	Yuya HIROSE	179cm	94kg	22	U18 Japan
13	Yuta AKIHAMA	175cm	85kg	21
14	Kohei YASUDA	183cm	88kg	20
15	Shotaro IKEDO	181cm	90kg	22

** Player to watch **.

Yuya HIROSE. 179 cm, 94 kg, 22 years old. He is a graduate of Higashi Fukuoka High School, U18 Japan, and will be taking on the heavy responsibility of captain this season, the 100th anniversary of the school’s founding. Since entering Meiji University, he has been a regular in the team since his first year and has made a name for himself. In matches, he also has responsibility as a placekicker. He was out for a few games before the semi-final due to injury, but will he be able to show his best performance in this match?

Let’s start the first half.

The game started at 12:25.

1st minute of the first half:

Early in the game, Meiji University came into the enemy line and as they tackled, Kyoto Sangyo University’s SO YOSHIMOTO suffered a neck injury and had to be replaced early. The early departure of the main SO is likely to be quite a blow for Kyoto Sangyo University.

5 minutes into the first half:

Meiji University were slightly pushed by Kyoto Sangyo University in the first set piece scrum, but SH HAGIHARA got the ball out and they attacked in succession. Meiji University gradually approached the enemy’s in-goal with a series of attacks to the left and right, and from just in front of the goal posts, FB IKEDO kicked the ball into the in-goal, which was held by WTB EBISAWA for the first try for Meiji University. The conversion goal after the try failed. The score was 0-5.

9 minutes of the first half:

From the kick-off after the try, Kyoto Sangyo University moved forward with their best set-piece. A scrum drew an infringement from their opponents, and from a PG they secured the ball in their own lineout and moved forward in a maul to put pressure on Meiji University. Kyoto Sangyo University then passed the ball to WTB Nishi, who ran across the maul and scored a try in the left corner of the enemy in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed. Kyoto Sangyo University easily equalised.

17 minutes into the first half:

Kyoto Sangyo University still had the better of the scrum and maul set-pieces. Kyoto Sangyo University pushed Meiji University in the scrum here, drawing a collapsing infringement, earning the right to a PG and kicking the ball steadily outwards. However, Meiji University’s WTB EBISAWA helped himself to the ball and jumped on the ball as it was about to go off the touchline, making it his own ball. Meiji University attacked in quick succession in the enemy territory, and it was a densely contested battle, but they picked up the ball well and attacked again in quick succession, with Meiji University’s SO Itoh receiving the ball, dodging through a gap in the enemy defence and scoring a try just under the goal posts. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 5-12.

22 minutes of the first half:

While Kyosan University tried to break down their opponents with set plays, Meiji University cut the gain line with a BK development attack. After spreading out to the left and right, Kyoto Sangyo University’s response to Meiji University’s advances was a little backward. Meiji University attacked deep into the enemy territory, and after a PG from an infringement by the opponents, they closed in on the enemy in-goal, and from a lineout on their own ball, they quickly moved forward in a maul and hooker MATSUSHITA scored a try in the middle left. The conversion goal after the try was also successful and the score was 5-19, with Meiji University taking a 14-point lead.

28 minutes of the first half:

Meiji University had been pushing the game forward with a series of BK attacks up until this time. Here, Kyoto Sangyo University won the ball back in a tight battle deep in their own half and kicked the ball into enemy territory, where Meiji University committed an infringement. Kyoto Sangyo University opted for a penalty kick and advanced their position in front of the enemy in-goal. From there, Kyoto Sangyo University used contact play, mainly by their FWs, to close in on the enemy in-goal and finally deployed to the right, where FB NASU, who came on as a midway substitute, scored a try in the middle on the right. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 12-19.

Towards the end of the first half, Kyoto Sangyo University’s ball possession increased. Using their strength as a maul as a shield, the team worked together to advance deep into enemy territory, where Meiji University was unable to resist committing an infringement, giving them a PG opportunity. SO TSUJINO scored PGs in the 33rd and 38th minutes of the first half in quick succession to level the score at 18-19.

41 minutes of the first half:

Towards the end of the first half, Meiji University went on the offensive. Meiji University opted for a penalty kick instead of a PG after an infringement near halfway, and advanced their position to the enemy in-goal. From a lineout here, they formed a maul, which was once stopped, but they split the opposition defence down the middle and quickly moved into the enemy in-goal to score a try. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 18-26, and Meiji University again outscored Kyoto Sangyo University.

This was the end of the first half. Both teams showed their strengths and thrilled the crowd at the National Stadium.

Now, which team will take control of the game in the second half and advance to the final? Let’s get the second half underway.

2 minutes of the second half:

Rain started to fall early in the second half. Perhaps because of this, Meiji University kicked off and the ball was dropped in front of them by Kyoto Sangyo University’s SH Ito deep in their own half. This put Kyoto Sangyo University in the pinch of a scrum deep in their own half with the ball in their opponents’ hands. From this scrum, Meiji University made a series of attacks. After attacking on the right side, they deployed to the left side, where Meiji University’s SO Ito received a pass and once again ran through the opposition defence to score a try in the middle on the left. Meiji University’s SO Ito was so quick to get up to top speed after receiving the ball that his opponents were taken aback the first time they faced him.

The conversion goal after the try failed and the score was 18-31.

7 minutes into the second half:

Kyoto Sangyo University attacked deep into enemy territory from the kick-off in an attempt to close the gap. However, a lineout in front of the enemy in-goal saw the visitors lose possession and miss a scoring opportunity.

From this point on, Meiji University seemed to have the mental edge and looked comfortable in their play. Meiji University made steady progress and went deep into enemy territory. Kyoto Sangyo University gradually began to be pushed back by individual contact, which they had dominated up to this point. In this situation, Meiji’s BK developed to the right, and from a deep line FB IKEDO ran in to receive the ball and went behind the enemy defence at once, scoring a try just behind the goal posts. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 18-38.

With Kyoto Sangyo University trailing by 20 points at this stage of the game, handling errors were becoming more and more noticeable at key moments. They failed to secure the ball in a lineout deep in enemy territory, and then attempted a BK move near halfway, but again dropped the ball in front. From here, Meiji University kicked the ball deep into the box, and a scoring chance instantly turned into a scoring crisis.

20 minutes into the second half:

As Kyoto Sangyo University made a series of handling errors, Meiji University overcame their opponents with spirit and finally began to gain the upper hand in the scrums. From in front of the goal posts in the enemy territory, the scrum was developed to the right and the backs connected with the ball with a thick follow-through, allowing CTB AKIHAMA to score a try just under the goal posts. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 18-45.

29 minutes into the second half:

Meiji University started to tire a little and a handling error allowed Kyoto Sangyo University to push deep into their own half. From there, Kyoto Sangyo University tried to push forward by forming a maul from their own ball lineout, but to their surprise, only one WTB was left and the 14 players pushed through the maul to score a try in the opponents’ in-goal in the middle left corner. The try was scored by TSUJINO, playing SO. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 25-45.

35 minutes of the second half:

In this match, Kyoto Sangyo University did not respond well to attacks from the deep line by the Meiji University BK. From behind, the Meiji University BK, who ran in, accelerated and followed up with more attacks, broke through the defence one after the other. This led to the Kyoto Sangyo University BK players becoming disheartened and led to a chain of handling errors.

Again, Kyoto Sangyo University’s defence was breached by a series of attacks from Meiji University’s BK, and finally a try was scored in the middle left by replacement Meiji University CTB TAIRA. A conversion goal after the try made the score 25-52 at last.

40 minutes into the second half:

Kyoto Sangyo University, looking for a last gasp, broke into the enemy territory and formed a maul to push forward at full stretch. The maul was joined later by BK players, and the 11 players pushed forward to the enemy in-goal to score a try. The try was scored by No.8 POLEO, a substitute from Kyoto Sangyo University. The conversion goal after the try failed.

The game ended here, with the final score 30-52 in favour of Meiji University. They will play the winner of the second match between Teikyo University and Tenri University in the final.

Kyoto Sangyo University showed that they were capable of playing well, but succumbed to the combined strength of Meiji University’s FW and BK. Despite the defeat, Kyoto Sangyo University has many promising players in the lower ranks and will be looking forward to next season’s development.

This will be followed by the second match.

This year marks the 60th edition of the National University Rugby Football Championship. In the second semi-final match, the absolute champions Teikyo University Rugby Club, who are aiming for their third consecutive championship title, face off against Tenri University, the second-ranked team in the Kansai League this time.

Let us introduce the two teams.

First, Teikyo University Rugby Club.

Teikyo University is aiming to become the number one university in Japan for the 12th time in total. The team no longer has any rivals at university level, and it is said that its strength could be matched even if it played against a League One team. Today, many of Japan’s national team players are from Teikyo University. Who can stop this Teikyo University winning streak, this time against Tenri University, which won the 2020 University Championship before Teikyo University’s streak began. Expect a good match.

Today’s starting line-up is as follows.

Teikyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Taishi TSUMURA	172cm	108kg	22
2	Hayate ERA	171cm	100kg	22	U-18 JAPAN
3	Taro UESUGI	176cm	113kg	21
4	Takuma MOTOHASHI	193cm	118kg	21
5	Ryeon YOON	186cm	108kg	22
6	Keito AOKI	187cm	110kg	21
7	Akito OKUI	177cm	103kg	22	U-18 JAPAN
8	Shuto NOBUHARA	182cm	100kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
9	Kumusu LEE	174cm	80kg	21
10	Hitaka INOUE	175cm	80kg	22
11	Tomu TAKAMOTO	182cm	90kg	22	U-18 JAPAN
12	Taichi KUKINO	179cm	90kg	21
13	Keito KAIDA	180cm	85kg	22
14	Shinya KOMURA	179cm	87kg	21
15	Taiki YAMAGUCHI	177cm	90kg	22	U-18,U-20 JAPAN

** Player to watch **

Hayate ERA. 171 cm, 100 kg, 22 years old. Position = Hooker. A graduate of Osaka Toin High School, Hayate is a member of the U-18 Japan national team and captain of Teikyo University, which is aiming for a third consecutive championship. Although he is not a big man, he makes up for it with his rugby sense, his outstanding leadership of the FW, and his fighting spirit that emanates during games. As the next generation of Japan’s national hooker, he is expected to play an even more active role in the future.

Next, an introduction of the Tenri University Rugby Club.

University Championship victory in 2020. In this season’s Kansai League, the team fought a fierce battle with Kyoto Sangyo University, and although they were narrowly beaten at the end of the game to finish second, they went on to win the University Championship, defeating Keio University (4th in the Kanto University Rivalry Group) 41-12 in the third round and Tokai University (1st in the Kanto University League Group) in the quarter-finals by 34-14. We hope they show Teikyo University that they can play rugby without being overpowered.

** Player to watch **

Patrick VAKATA. 189 cm, 112 kg, 21 years old. He is a graduate of Japan Aviation Ishikawa High School. Position = No.8. From Tonga. A player who epitomises the power of Tenri University. He is a monster with a bench press of 160 kg, but is also a fast 50 m runner with a time of 6.2 seconds. How far he can show his power at the point of contact and his ability to break through against Teikyo University will be the key to victory or defeat in this match.

Now for the start of the second match. Kick-off was 14:40.

14 minutes of the first half:

The teams were evenly matched in terms of individual clashes after deployment, with Teikyo University showing their superiority in terms of scrums. In the Kansai League, Tenri University had never experienced being pushed around in the scrum, but as expected of the student champions, Teikyo University were strong. Teikyo University’s winning pattern was to use a strong scrum early in the game to draw infringements from their opponents, advance on penalties, and always have the upper hand in the game, playing in the opposition’s territory and racking up points. However, Tenri University fought well at the point of contact in defence after deployment and stopped Teikyo University from advancing. However, Teikyo University got into enemy territory, deployed to the left, and when the ball was passed to WTB TAKAMOTO, he used his individual skills to pick off two opposing defenders and score a try in the left corner of the enemy’s in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful and Teikyo University scored the first points of the game to make the score 7-0.

17 minutes of the first half:

The two teams kicked each other, but Teikyo University’s FB YAMAGUCHI caught his own contested kick and immediately took it to the left side, where the ball was passed from No. 11 to No. 14. He scored his second try of the day in the left corner of the enemy’s in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 14-0.

21st minute of the first half:

The game looked like it was going to be a one-sided game for Teikyo University, but Tenri University fought back from here. As if a switch had been flipped on by all Tenri University players, they pushed forward more strongly than ever at the point of contact with their opponents and connected with the ball. After closing in on the enemy in-goal, prop MATSUNO finally broke through a wall of three Teikyo University defenders and scored a try in the middle on the left. The conversion goal after the try failed. The score was 14-5.

35 minutes of the first half:

Tenri University’s spirits were high during this period, and the two teams were in a stalemate of strength. Outside of scrums, Tenri University were evenly matched. Tenri University were in the opposition’s territory, and although they repeated a series of attacks, they were unable to get inside the 22-metre line. Tenri University then quickly moved to the right from a rather poor scrum and, making full use of signalling play, right winger HIROTA made a good run down the line. As he approached the enemy in-goal, he was caught by the Teikyo University defence, but the ball was passed to Tenri University’s left WTB FUJIWARA, who followed inside and scored a try right in the middle. The conversion goal after the try was also scored, making the score 14-12.

Tenri University began to dominate the game here. After the try, Tenri University kicked off and the ball was passed to No.8 VAKATA, who charged into the enemy line with great vigour, beating the Teikyo University defence by eight men to the delight of the crowd.

41 minutes of the first half:

Both sides kicked a high punt, but Teikyo University was fouled on the catch and Tenri University opted to go for the PG. With the horn already sounding for the end of the first half, Tenri University’s Tsutsuguchi attempted a PG from his own line near halfway, from a distance of almost 60 metres.

The PG fell a little short of distance and a Teikyo University player kicked it outwards, ending the first half.

Teikyo University, as usual, blamed and scored at once from the beginning of the game, but from the middle of the first half, Tenri University showed their aggressiveness and showed a competitive battle. We look forward to another good game in the second half.

Let’s get the second half underway.

3 minutes of the second half:

Tenri University committed an infringement in the centre of the ground, and from the penalty kick awarded, Teikyo University advanced their position to the enemy 22m line. From this position, from a lineout on their own ball, the ball was spread to the right and passed to WTB Komura in the left corner, who grounded it into the middle right of the enemy in-goal for Teikyo University’s first points of the second half. The conversion goal after the try failed, leaving the score 19-12.

7 minutes into the second half:

Teikyo University had a PG opportunity from a Not Role Away infringement by their opponents a little way into enemy territory, on the right side of the ground. Teikyo University FB YAMAGUCHI succeeded steadily to make the score 22-12.

Teikyo University had reflected on their poor contact with Tenri University in the first half, and players were quick to pull together to avoid being pushed over in contact with their opponents. This made it difficult for Tenri University to make progress.

From the 15th minute of the second half, the game became a stalemate. Tenri University’s energy was so high that despite the game being almost entirely in Tenri University’s favour, no points were scored. However, there were two scenes where, if video judgement had been used, it would have been a try for Teikyo University. The fact that the University Championship only had video judgment in the final game worked somewhat against Teikyo University in this situation. However, the fact that the match remained closely contested kept the tension in the game alive.

And as the match came to an end

In the first match, Kyoto Sangyo University seemed to have been outplayed by Meiji University, but in the second match Tenri University, despite losing to Teikyo University, seemed to give it all they had. Many of Tenri University’s players looked refreshed.

As a result of this semi-final, the final pairing was Teikyo University, aiming for a third consecutive university championship, against Meiji University, who were hoping to celebrate their 100th anniversary with a victory. The final will take place on 13 January. There is a week longer than usual between the two teams. Both teams will need to be in good condition to play a good game worthy of the final.

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

 (Written by Azul: January 7, 2024)

This season’s National University Rugby Championship has begun.

The participating schools are as follows.

Participating schools Breakdown: 14

(1) Kanto University Rivalry Group Top 5 schools:

　　1st : Teikyo University

　　2nd : Meiji University

　　3rd : Waseda University

　　4th : University of Tsukuba

　　5th : Keio University

2) Kanto University League Group Top 3 Schools:

　　1st : Tokai University

　　2nd : Ryutsu Keizai University

　　3rd : Hosei University

3) Kansai University League Top 3 schools:

1st : Kyoto Sangyo University

2nd : Tenri University

3rd : Kwansei Gakuin University

4） Kyushu Student Rugby League 1st : Kyushu Institute of Technology

(5) Hokkaido Tohoku District Representative: Hachinohe Gakuin University

6） Tokai, Hokuriku, Chugoku, Shikoku district representative: Chukyo University

The difference in the number of schools selected in each league is due to the most recent results.

As of this day (December 17), the third round had already started, and the number of spectators was 4,402, about 20% of the capacity of Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. The attendance was a little sad, with only a few people from the participating schools and a few general rugby fans coming to watch the game.

It is expected that the excitement of this tournament will start after the semifinals, where the top schools will meet. Teikyo University, the current two-time consecutive winner of the championship, has a good reputation, and it will be interesting to see how far the top teams from each league can go against them.

I watched the following two matches.

(1) Ryutsu Keizai University vs University of Tsukuba

(2) Waseda University vs. Hosei University

Let me introduce the opposing teams for the first match.

First, let me tell you about the Ryutsu Keizai University Rugby Club.

The club was founded in 1965. In recent years, the team has been ranked at the top of the Kanto University League group and is becoming a regular participant in the National University Rugby Championships. The team’s best result in the championship was the top eight. The team is a free-attacking team, capable of scoring from any position in the FW and BK. However, the top teams in the championship have strong FWs and strong defenses, so breaking through this barrier is the key to advancing to the final four.

Today’s starting lineup is as follows.

Ryutsu Keizai University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Jinichiro TAMANAGA	177cm	112kg	22
2	Shunsuke SAKUTA	176cm	103kg	22
3	Kazuma YOSHIMURA	176cm	112kg	22
4	Kenta UEDA	182cm	100kg	21
5	Len SCHINCKEL	186cm	108kg	21
6	Hikaru SHINOZAWA	183cm	101kg	21
7	Toshiya HARADA	170cm	93kg	22
8	Loketi TISILELI	191cm	122kg	21
9	Yosuke TAKEI	168cm	72kg	22
10	Kai SASAKI	172cm	81kg	21
11	Ryo TOMA	177cm	93kg	21
12	Haruto SUGISAKI	178cm	90kg	22
13	Andrew HAYWARD	186cm	96kg	21
14	Aporosa DERENALAGI	188cm	86kg	22
15	Fuma NAKAMURA	170cm	73kg	21

** Player to watch **

Kai SASAKI, 172 cm, 81 kg, 21 years old. He is a graduate of Jyosho Gakuen High School. As an attacking SO, he is the leader of Ryutsu Keizai University’s attack this season.  He played a close game against Tokai University, the champion of the Kanto University League group for six straight years, and was involved in the championship game. He shows an aggressive attack centering on his own run play. The team has high expectations for Ryutsu Keizai University to achieve its best ever performance in the University Championship.

Next, let us introduce our opponent, The University of Tsukuba Rugby Club.

This club made it to the top four in the University Championship last season, and is expected to make great strides this season. University of Tsukuba and Ryutsu Keizai University’s campuses are located close to each other, and the two teams often play each other close, perhaps because they know each other’s game well through practice matches. This season, the team has a strong starting lineup that includes five members of the Japanese high school national team.

The starting lineup for this match is as follows.

Tsukuba University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Ryosei OTSUKA	174cm	95kg	23
2	Hayate HIRAISHI	178cm	100kg	21
3	Masato TANAKA	182cm	107kg	22
4	Tomonosuke SHIROMARU	185cm	105kg	19	U18 Japan
5	Shuntaro ISOBE	190cm	110kg	19
6	Kodai Sean YOKOMIZO	187cm	90kg	21
7	Kenkichi YANAGAWA	188cm	100kg	22
8	Hayata TANIYAMA	184m	95kg	22	U18 Japan
9	Yutaro TAKAHASHI	172m	74kg	20	U18,U20 Japan
10	Kanjiro NARAMOTO	177cm	84kg	19	U18 ,U20Japan,JJ
11	Ryota OHATA	175cm	75kg	21
12	Kai HAMASHIMA	176cm	75kg	22
13	Kento IIOKA	183cm	83kg	19	U18 Japan
14	Toshiki KUROSAWA	173cm	80kg	22
15	Tasuku MASUYAMA	177cm	82kg	19
					JJ=Junior Japan

** Player to watch **

Kanjiro NARAMOTO. 177 cm, 84 kg, 19 years old. A graduate of Higashi Fukuoka High School, he has been selected for Japan’s U18, U20, and Junior Japan national teams, and possesses the wide tactical vision, unmatched kicking accuracy, and individual breakthrough ability required of a SO.

Let the matches begin. Kick-off for the first match of the day was at 11:30.

8 minutes into the first half:

Ryutsu Keizai University started the game with a series of attacks, mainly by the FWs, in the enemy territory, producing a near try. However, in front of the enemy in-goal, they were fouled and missed a scoring opportunity.

In response, University of Tsukuba scored a try from a scrum near the centre of the ground, with No.8 TANIYAMA making a gain on the right side, and from there, the ball was spread wide to the left side, from CTB IIOKA to FB MASUYAMA, who scored a try in the middle left of the enemy in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-7.

CTB IIOKA, who assisted the first try, is a member of this season’s much-talked-about Golden Generation of Rugby.

17 minutes into the first half:

Ryutsu Keizai University greatly outweigh Tsukuba University in terms of the average weight of their FWs, and show strength in contact play, but they are unable to mount a sustained attack due to a slightly high number of penalties. When Tsukuba attacked in this period, they were fouled deep in their own half, and a PG was scored by Tsukuba SO Naramoto, giving up three points.

21 minutes into the first half:

Ryutsu Keizai University had missed scoring opportunities up to this point due to a series of unnecessary infringements, but this time around they used their strength in set plays to their advantage and attacked deep into enemy territory, eventually scoring a try by FL Shinozawa in the right corner of the enemy’s in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed, leaving the score 5-10.

25 minutes of the first half:

Shortly after the counter-attack, Ryutsu Keizai University committed another infringement and conceded a PG to Tsukuba University. This was scored by University of Tsukuba’s SO Naramoto, making the score 5-13.

28 minutes into the first half:

WTB DERENALAGI picked up the ball after being forced into his own half, and from there he dived past the opposition defense for a big gain and penetrated deep into enemy territory. From there, they used the strength of their individual contact to close in on the opposition in-goal, with FL SHINOZAWA scoring his second try of the day in the middle right of the in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed, leaving the score 10-13.

38 minutes into the first half:

University of Tsukuba’s tactic for the day was to avoid set pieces and use the ground widely to develop their game. In contrast, Ryutsu Keizai University took on a contrasting style of play, starting with set plays, particularly scrums, and using the strength of individual contact to break the deadlock. The two sides scored points against each other in a match that was full of highlights and thrilled the crowd. Then, Ryutsu Keizai University scored in the closing stages of the first half. They continued to use contact play to push forward, and in the end, No. 8 TISILELI scored a try just below the goal post with a powerful move that saw two University of Tsukuba defenders fly over the line.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and Ryutsu Keizai University successfully reversed the score to 17-13.

42 minutes into the first half:

After the turnaround, Ryutsu Keizai University committed another foul immediately afterwards, giving Tsukuba University the opportunity to score a PG. This was steadily converted by University of Tsukuba’s SO Naramoto to end the first half with the score at 17-16 to one point.

The last time these two teams met in the University Championships, it was a close match, and this time it seemed like a similar story. A good match is expected in the second half as well.

1st minute into the second half:

The two teams kicked each other soon after the start of the match, with University of Tsukuba FB MASUYAMA counter-attacking from deep in his own half after a University of Ryutsu Keizai kick. MASUYAMA then rode at top speed and, after shaking off a succession of pursuing Ryutsu Keizai University defenders, scored a try in the middle left of that in-goal in enemy territory.The conversion goal after the try was also successful and the score was 17-23 to the University of Tsukuba.

17 minutes into the second half:

The visitor team had a number of set piece opportunities in this period, and on each occasion, Ryutsu Keizai University pushed University of Tsukuba in front at the scrum, and closed in on the opposition in-goal. When they had a lineout opportunity in front of the in-goal, they secured the ball, formed a maul and went close to the in-goal at once.At this point, Tsukuba University committed an infringement by deliberately collapsing a maul, resulting in a certified try for Ryutsu Keizai University, and the score was 24-23 to Ryutsu Keizai University, giving them a one-point lead. The University of Tsukuba’s prop Tanaka was temporarily sent off for 10 minutes for this foul.

18 minutes into the second half:

A dense battle at the restart drew a foul on Ryutsu Keizai University, giving them a PG opportunity, which SO Naramoto converted to make the score 24-26.

27 minutes into the second half:

Ryutsu Keizai University were outplayed by Tsukuba University in a densely contested battle and were forced into their own in-goal after a series of infringements. From a lineout on their own ball, Tsukuba University surged forward in a maul and went in for a try, but Ryutsu Keizai University defended well and prevented a try. However, the University of Tsukuba’s FW repeated a side-attack in a dense battle immediately afterwards, and scored a try in the middle on the left.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 24-33 to Tsukuba University’s nine-point lead.

38 minutes into the second half:

With time running out, the game was at a stalemate. The visitors had to get to within seven points at least early on, or they would be unable to mount a comeback, given the time remaining. Here, Ryutsu Keizai University opted for a PG after a foul by their opponents, and SO SASAKI, despite being downwind, aimed a 40-metre PG, which he successfully completed.

From the kick-off after Tsukuba University’s PG, Ryutsu Keizai University counter-attacked and No.8 TISILELI made a big gain and got into Tsukuba University’s territory, but in the remaining time, Tsukuba University skillfully consumed time and the game was over. As a result, University of Tsukuba won the match and advanced to the quarter-finals.

The two schools congratulated each other on their good performance.

Next, the second match of the day was Waseda University vs Hosei University.

Every year, I think, there are more than 40 minutes between the first and second games, and if you are watching two games in a row in the middle of winter, you are exposed to the north wind for almost five hours in a row, which is cold.

Let me now introduce the two schools that will play in the second match.

First, let’s talk about Waseda University Rugby Club.

This season, Waseda University finished third in the Kanto University Rivalry Group, losing to Teikyo University and Meiji University. However, the matches they lost this season were close defeats, and last season they came from third place in the Kanto University Rivalry Group to runners-up in the University Championship, so we expect them to bounce back from this. Today’s opponents, Hosei University, are the same type of team who play with the ability to develop their BK, so we expect a good match.

This day’s starting line-up is as follows.

Waseda University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Airou SUGIMOTO	179cm	112kg	20	U19 Japan
2	Kenji SATO	177cm	108kg	20
3	Taiga KAWASAKI	171cm	108kg	20
4	Daito HOSOKAWA	182cm	102kg	22
5	Daiki IKEMOTO	186cm	105kg	21
6	Naoto YASUTSUNE	172cm	98kg	20
7	Hitoshi NAGASHIMA	178cm	96kg	22
8	Kanji MATSUNUMA	177m	93kg	19	U18 Japan
9	Shota SHIMIZU	171m	70kg	21
10	Rentaro HISATOMI	172cm	83kg	22
11	Shuho FUKUSHIMA	183cm	92kg	20	U18 Japan
12	Kengo NONAKA	180cm	95kg	20	U18 ,U20Japan
13	Soma OKAZAKI	177cm	91kg	21
14	Yoshitaka YAZAKI	180cm	86kg	19	U18,U20 Japan
15	Daisuke ITO	179cm	88kg	22	U18 Japan

** Player to watch **.

Yoshitaka YAZAKI. 180 cm, 86 kg, 19 years old. Born in Toin Gakuen High School. Position = FB, WTB. U18, U20 Japan national team. Japan Rugby Golden Generation leader. As a first-year high school student, he was already a regular player at Toin Gakuen High School, which won the national championship, and also won a regular position at Waseda University as soon as he entered the school. His speed, tactical awareness and contact play are outstanding for a player of his age group. He is a player who is expected to make the national team in the near future.

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

Hosei University qualified for the University Championship this season by finishing third in the Kanto University League group.

The team boasts the highest number of victories in the Kanto University League Group with 13 championships. The team also won the University Championship in the 1965 and 1992 seasons. However, in recent years the team’s results have been poor and it has been six years since they have qualified for the University Championship. The team’s style of rugby is oriented towards running rugby, with the BK playing a wide role.

This day’s starting line-up is as follows.

Hosei University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Ryota YOTSUMOTO	169cm	102kg	22
2	Kugo ISHIKAWA	168cm	93kg	21
3	Meishi WATANABE	171cm	105kg	21
4	Kanta HOSOKAWA	184cm	103kg	19
5	Riki TAKEBE	186cm	111kg	21
6	Takenori YAMASHITA	170cm	85kg	22
7	Kohki MIYASHITA	186cm	105kg	19	U20Japan
8	Kiichi TAKAGI	186cm	100kg	22
9	Kazuma YAMAWAKI	170cm	73kg	21
10	You KIM	175cm	84kg	21
11	Shuji SHIIBA	173cm	80kg	23
12	Taisei TANAKA	176cm	85kg	20
13	Shun NAKAI	172cm	84kg	21
14	Rei ISHIOKA	177cm	80kg	22	U18 Japan
15	Takuru KITAGAWA	170cm	82kg	20

** Player to watch **

Shuji SHIIBA. 173 cm, 80 kg, 23 years old. He is a graduate of Hyuga High School in Miyazaki Prefecture.

Although he did not participate in any national tournaments in high school, he was a hard-working player who won a regular place at Hosei University, which is full of fast-footed athletes.This season, he is the BK leader at Hosei University. He is a decisive WTB who makes his presence felt on the scoresheet. He will be looking to accumulate as many wins as possible as he enters his final year.

Let the matches begin. Kick-off for the second match was at 14:00.

In the early stages of the match, Hosei University’s inconsistent set play gradually allowed Waseda University to gain ground. They were pushed in scrums and contact play, and gradually made headway. Then, from a lineout near the enemy in-goal, Waseda University pushed forward in a maul and hooker SATOH scored a try in the middle on the right. The conversion goal after the try was missed. The score was 5-0.

13 minutes into the first half:

Waseda University scored a PG to make the score 8-0. Both Waseda and Hosei played quick, spread-out rugby, using the whole ground, but Waseda was quicker in the cluster. As a result, most of the match was played in Hosei University’s camp.

24 minutes into the first half:

Hosei kicked the ball deep into enemy territory, Waseda University passed the ball from right to left, the ball was passed to Waseda University WTB YAZAKI in the right corner and he dashed to the top, overtook the Hosei defenders one after another with just his speed and ran over 70m without letting them touch him, scoring a try in the enemy in-goal.

Hosei University’s BK players also boasted speed, but Waseda University’s YAZAKI showed impressive speed that did not deter them at all. The conversion goal after the try failed, and the score was 13-0.

28 minutes of the first half:

Waseda University’s WTB YAZAKI was again mesmerising here. Unencumbered by the right WTB position, YAZAKI appeared to appear and disappear when on the attack. From a dense battle in Hosei University’s ranks, he received a pass from a FW side attack and accelerated from a stationary position to score a try in the middle on the left.

He moves so fast that the camera can’t keep up with him. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 20-0.

31 minutes into the first half:

The game became a one-sided game for Waseda University and Hosei University had extremely few opportunities to have the ball. Hosei University were not being pushed too far in terms of individual contact, but Waseda University were clearly quicker in gathering and dispersing players in dense areas, gradually closing in on the in-goal and finally Waseda University’s SO HISATOMI scored a try in the middle left of the in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful and the score, 27-0.

Waseda University then scored one try, one goal and one PG in the first half to end the first half with a 37-0 margin.

Looking back at the first half, Hosei University did not make a single save against loose balls in dense battles. This is a bit of a stretch, but it is thought that Waseda University were the first to get to a dropped ball in any phase of the game, which meant that Hosei University were not allowed to make any saves. Both teams play development-oriented rugby, so it was no wonder that the points gap was so wide if they were always on the back foot against even ball. In the second half, I expect Hosei University to rally.

Let’s get the second half underway.

Perhaps the coach gave them a hard time at half-time, Hosei University started to stop losing the ball carelessly. In the first scrum of the second half, they pushed Waseda University repeatedly, causing Waseda University to break the scrum and concede an infringement. Also, in the 9th minute of the second half, Hosei University FB KITAGAWA slipped behind the Waseda University defensive net, and for the first time in the match, the crowd cheered Hosei University’s play.

19 minutes into the second half:

Hosei University started to show more tenacity in attack and defense, and the game started to get more interesting, but Waseda University still showed their strength in close quarters battles, and gradually attacked deep into enemy territory from a series of attacks. WTB FUKUSIMA scored a try in the left corner of the enemy in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed, but Waseda University scored the first points of the second half. The score was 42-0.

27 minutes into the second half:

Perhaps inspired by Hosei University’s attacking fervour, Waseda University went on the offensive again here. From the kick-off after the try, the teams were locked in a tight battle, and a Hosei infringement led to a scrum on Waseda’s own ball. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 49-7.

37 minutes of the second half:

Waseda University came within a whisker of the enemy in-goal with a series of attacks. However, a knock-on infringement at this point resulted in a scrum in Hosei University’s favour. From this deep position, Hosei University moved to the left and FB KITAGAWA kicked the ball. Hosei WTB SIIBA dribbled the ball, which rolled into the enemy’s in-goal, and held it himself for a try. The conversion goal after the try failed and the score was 49-12.

Looking at the second half of the match alone, Hosei University and Waseda University were evenly matched. The fans who came to see the match on this day would have expected the two sides to bring out the best in each other. In this respect, Waseda University could be said to have shown the difference in experience from their consecutive appearances in the University Championships.

41 minutes into the second half:

From the kick-off after the Waseda’s try, the visitors broke into the opposition line and a scrum ensued, but Waseda prop KAMEYAMA, who took over at this point, was able to push through, giving the visitors a reprieve from their poor start to the second half. The scrum drew a collapsing infringement from Hosei University, which led to a penalty kick and a lineout on their own ball. From there, Waseda University pushed forward in a maul and hooker Shimizu scored a try in the left corner of the enemy’s in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed. Time ran out at this point and Waseda University won with a final score of 54-12.

As the University Championship is a tournament format where a loss is the end of the tournament, Waseda University will now face Kyoto Sangyo University, the number one ranked team in the Kansai League, in the quarter-finals. Hosei University’s season came to an end with this loss.

The first match of the day’s University Championships was a close and exciting affair, and the second match was not a close one in terms of score, but the loser, Hosei University, showed their strength in the second half, giving all concerned hope for the coming season. The next round of the championship is to be looked forward to.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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