(Author: Azul, May 24, 2022)
The Japan Rugby League One matches have entered the third week of the season, and finally the replacement matches have begun. The pairings are as follows
(1) NEC Green Rockets (Division 1: 12th) vs. HONDA Heat (Division 2: 2nd)
(2) NTT Communications Shining Arcs (Division 1: 10th) vs Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars (Division 2: 3rd)
Two matches will be played for each team in the same combination. The order of victory or defeat will be determined as follows
1) The team with the most total winning points
2) The team with the most total scores from the two games
3) If the match still cannot be decided, the team from Division 1 will be retained.
Note: In the case of this season, the 11th-ranked team, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, will be relegated to Division 3 next season, so the first-place team in Division 2 (Kintetsu Liners) were automatically promoted.
Although the word “replacement game” may give the impression of a lower level of competition because it is between teams ranked lower, being relegated to Division 2 means fewer games and less revenue for the team. Therefore, the annual salaries of the players there will decrease. For some players, this means that they will not be able to sign contracts, so their pride and livelihood will be at stake.
This time, I went to watch the match between the NTT Shining Arcs and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Dynaboars at the Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground in Minato-ku, Tokyo, on May 21. Since eastern Japan has entered the rainy season around this week, there have been many rainy days. On the day of the game, it was raining unfortunately.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, the closest station to the stadium, was also raining heavily, as you can see in the photo above. Since umbrellas were not allowed in the stadium, spectators had to bring their own coats.
The attendance on that day was 2,986, which is a little less than the 5,000 or so who attended the match for the last place two weeks ago, but Dynaboars has lost a couple of games in a row, so perhaps the enthusiasm of the supporters has dropped off.
The result of the other match-up, which took place the day before, saw the NEC Green Rockets beat the HONDA Heat by a score of 33-10. In terms of content, the Green Rockets won hands down.
The Shining Arcs, whom the Dynaboars will play on this day, are ranked higher than the Green Rockets. Therefore, many people said that the Shining Arcs would overwhelm the Dynaboars. However, you never know the result until you have watched the match.
Let me introduce both teams.
First, let me give you an update on the home team, the Shining Arcs.
Today’s starting lineup is as follows.
| Shining Arcs | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Ken Saito | 177cm | 116kg | 25 | |
| 2 | Ryuji Fujimura | 174cm | 102kg | 23 | |
| 3 | Syuhei Takeuchi | 183cm | 115kg | 24 | |
| 4 | Luke Tompson | 196cm | 110kg | 41 | Japan 71cap |
| 5 | Sam Jeffries | 200cm | 115kg | 29 | |
| 6 | Shingo Nakashima | 187cm | 107kg | 29 | |
| 7 | Shokei Kin | 177cm | 95kg | 30 | Japan 7cap |
| 8 | Jimmy Tupou | 196cm | 113kg | 29 | Japan 6cap |
| 9 | Greig Laidlaw | 176cm | 80kg | 36 | Scotland 76cap |
| 10 | Doga Maeda | 178cm | 89kg | 25 | Japan 4cap |
| 11 | Takuhei Yasuda | 177cm | 80kg | 25 | Japan 2cap |
| 12 | Shane Gates | 183cm | 95kg | 29 | Japan 1cap |
| 13 | Brackin Henry | 182cm | 95kg | 33 | |
| 14 | Kai Ishii | 179cm | 85kg | 28 | |
| 15 | Israel Folau | 194cm | 103kg | 33 | Australia 73cap |
The center of the attention is No.10, Playmaker.Maeda is starting for the first time this season. In the regular season, Black or Laidlaw have been used, so the game is expected to be different from the usual. The rest of the players are almost the same as in the regular season.
＊＊ Players to watch ＊＊
Doga Meda. 178 cm, 89 kg, 25 years old. He was a candidate for the national team last season, but was not selected for the fall tour of Europe. His selection by HC Josef, Japan National Team, means that he can pass the ball accurately and defend well under heavy pressure. Will he be able to show their true potential in this important match?
Next, I would like to introduce the visiting team, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars.
Today’s starting lineup is as follows.
| Dynaboars | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Hayato Hosoda | 173cm | 103kg | 26 | |
| 2 | Yoshimitsu Yasue | 176cm | 109kg | 37 | Japan 2cap |
| 3 | Tomoaki Ishii | 182cm | 120kg | 26 | |
| 4 | Makoto Daniel Linde | 196cm | 109kg | 34 | |
| 5 | Epineri Uruiviti | 196cm | 122kg | 25 | |
| 6 | Masataka Tsuruya | 186cm | 104kg | 31 | |
| 7 | Kobayashi Noriya | 185cm | 103kg | 37 | |
| 8 | Jackson Hemopo | 195cm | 112kg | 28 | New Zealand 5cap |
| 9 | Kota Iwamura | 182cm | 87kg | 28 | |
| 10 | Nicolas Ealey | 180cm | 92kg | 33 | |
| 11 | Alaia’sa Solarorand | 177cm | 95kg | 26 | |
| 12 | Michael Little | 183cm | 89kg | 29 | |
| 13 | Nozomi Nara | 180cm | 93kg | 27 | |
| 14 | Keita Sekimoto | 174cm | 85kg | 28 | |
| 15 | Matt Vaega | 178cm | 90kg | 27 |
Toward the end of the season, there was a string of injuries to core players, and as a result, while passing the regular season in first place, they finished in third place in the ranking game, which was also a disadvantageous combination for the replacement game. In particular, the team suffered from a succession of injuries in the SOs, who are the commanding force of the team, and Slade and Ishida were not able to play at this game. However, it was a blessing in disguise that Ealey, who had been out for a long time due to injury, made it to this match.
＊＊ Players to watch ＊＊
Nicolas Ealey. 180 cm, 92 kg, 33 years old. The number 10 player in the photo above is Ealey, a veteran player who has played for Panasonic and Kobe Steel for many years. He will join the Dynaboars in 2020. In this match, he will be tested to see the true value of his playing career.
Let the game begin.
Kickoff time is 12:00 p.m. It was raining quite a bit, so the ball would be slippery and handling errors would be common.
Dynaboars, who are considered to be at a considerable disadvantage according to the pre-match forecast, would like to somehow get the first score and take control of the game.
Five minutes into the first half:
From the kickoff, the Dynaboars take the advantage at the point of contact. While the Shining Arcs were unable to break through their opponents’ defensive network, the Dynaboars gradually made progress. The Shining Arks were able to get into the enemy territory, and as they continued to attack in succession, Ealey of the Dynaboars ran through the enemy defenders and made a decisive kick-pass to WTB Sekimoto on the right flank. Sekimoto received the ball, dodged two opposing defenders, and scored a try right under the goal post.
However, a video review revealed a defensive interference by the Dynaboars, and the try was cancelled.
9 minutes into the first half:
The Shining Arcs had a PG opportunity deep into enemy territory after an infringement by the opposing team. Shining Arks’ SH Laidlaw converted. The score was 3-0, and the Shining Arcs scored first.
14 minutes into the first half:
The Shining Arcs were unable to break through their opponents’ defense, but FB Folau was able to break through the opponents’ defense with his individual skills. From there, the Shining Arcs moved to the left, and finally, SO Maeda threw a long pass to the left end, which was received by WTB Ishii. He received it and scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed. The score was 8-0, and the Shining Arcs led by 8 points.
First half 22 minutes:
After a stalemate that lasted for a while, the Dynaboars finally had a chance to scrum for their own ball in front of the goal posts in the enemy territory. From there, the Dynaboers attacked in quick succession, and with a clever passing move to the left, they connected with WTB Roland, who was on the left edge of the field, connected with a clever passing move and scored a try in the left corner of the in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed. The score was then 8-5, and the Dynaboars were within 3 points.
33 minutes into the first half:
The Shining Arcs attacked the ball to the right in a series of attacks in enemy territory, and due to a handling error, the ball was dropped. The Shining Arcs made a handling error and the ball fell to the in front of the Dynaboars. The ball was then kicked forward by Dynaboars’ CTB Nara, who replenished the ball himself, and advanced to the enemy’s in-goal. He passed the ball to WTB Roland, who followed up on the ball, and the two went over the goal post for the try. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 8-12 to the Dynaboars.
First half 38 minutes:
Towards the end of the first half, as the Shining Arcs pushed into enemy territory, Dynaboars lock Uruiviti was fouled in a high tackle. SH Laidlaw of the Shining Arcs scored the PG obtained here, making the score 11-12 in favor of the Shining Arcs.
This was the end of the first half. Dynaboars put up a good fight and held the lead, albeit by only one point.
Looking back at the first half, the Dynaboars’ steady progress at the point of contact was noticeable throughout the game, with SO Ealey skillfully dispersing the attention of the opposing defenders. As has been the pattern during the Dynaboars’ losing streak, the attack was focused on CTB Little. However, on this day, each backs player was functioning well and the team was developing a variety of attacks. However, on this day, each backs player was functioning well and developing a variety of attacks. Can Shining Arcs turn the tide in this game?
The rain started to sprinkle hard again at halftime, but Dynaboars fans could be seen rejoicing as the Dynaboars were fighting well.
Now for the start of the second half.
Shining Arcs changed their mind at halftime and were looking to score first in the second half.
However, it was Dynaboars who scored early in the second half.
1 minute into the second half:
Dynaboars kicked off to start the second half. After the kickoff, the Dynaboars secured the ball in the right corner of the opposition’s territory. From there, the ball was spread out to the left, and CTB Little swerved wide and connected with FB Vaega on the left edge. Vaega rolled the punt forward, then caught the ball, and scored a try in the in-goal, left center. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 11-19 in favor of the Dynaboars.
12 minutes into the second half.
From this time on, the Shining Arcs started to gain the upper hand in the scrums, and the Dynaboars were getting pushed around. After the scrum, the Shining Arcs attacked the in-goal area with a series of side attacks by their FW players. Then Flanker Nakashima of the Shining Arcs scored a try. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the Shining Arcs were up by one point, 18-19.
18 minutes into the second half
The Shining Arcs regained their strength at the point of contact and were not allowing the Dynaboars to advance easily. The Shining Arcs pushed back and kicked the ball into enemy territory, where CTB Little grabbed it and kicked it straight into enemy territory. The ball bounced and went out of bounds just before the in-goal line, so the 50-22 rule was applied and it was the Dynaboars’ own ball lineout. The Dynaboars had a chance to score a try after a stalemate. The Dynaboars secured the ball from the lineout, and the team moved forward in a maul to score a try. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 18-26 to 8 points again.
22 minutes into the second half:
After scoring a try in the 19th minute of the second half, the Dynaboars immediately attacked into enemy territory. From a scrum on the right edge of the enemy 10-meter line, the Dynaboars took the ball to the left, where CTB Little received the ball and ran diagonally to easily break through the opponent’s defensive net. Then Little scored a try under the goal post clearly. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 18-33 to 15 points for the Dynaboars.
CTB Michael Little, a key player for the Dynaboars, always manages to score at least two tries in every game, even when they are down. Little is a great player.
28 minutes into the second half.
Shining Arcs wins a lineout near the enemy 22-meter line on a penalty kick. The Shining Arcs won the ball, formed a maul, and drove forward to score a try right in the middle of the enemy’s in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 25-33, 8 points in favor of the Shining Arcs.
32 minutes into the second half:.
This time around, the Shining Arcs got the upper hand on a FW set piece that put them close to the right edge of the Dynaboars’ in-goal. However, in a tight battle here, the Dynaboars won the ball back and the FWs tried to move forward. From this point, they moved to the left, and Dynaboars’ FB Vaega, who was on the right edge, dodged a man and moved forward at once. Vaega ran over more than 70 meters toward the enemy’s in-goal, where they were caught by the Shining Arcs defense.
Dynaboars went deep into the enemy territory, and repeated side attacks by the FWs used up the rest of the time, and the game ended as it did.
As a result, the final score of the first match of the replacement round was 25-33 in favor of the Dynaboars, giving them four winning points. Dynaboars’ promotion to Division 1 depended on the result of the next match. There was no difference in strength between both teams and Shining Arcs, but they did not have the advantage. At the end of the day, we believe that the one with the stronger desire to win will win.
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Stop the war.
Peace to Ukraine
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