RUGBY JERSEY -2022-23 National University Rugby Championship Semi-Finals –

Match 1: Kyoto Sangyo University vs Waseda University

Match 2: Teikyo University vs University of Tsukuba

(Author: Azul, January 16, 2023)

The University Rugby Championship reached its semifinals on January 2, 2023. The results of the quarterfinals (12/25), which preceded this one, are as follows

(1) Waseda University vs. Meiji University: 27-21

For the second year in a row, Waseda vs. Meiji, a matchup that divides the popularity of university rugby in two, was played in the quarterfinals. Last year, Meiji beat Waseda.　However　Waseda won the quarter final this season.

(2) Tsukuba University vs Tokai University: 20-17

Tsukuba University, ranked 5th in the Kanto University Rivalry Rugby group, and Tokai University, ranked 1st in the Kanto Intercollegiate League match Group, were pitted against each other, but Tsukuba beat Tokai in a crazy match.

(3) Teikyo University vs. Doshisha University: 50-0

For the second year in a row, the two schools met in the quarterfinals. After losing to Teikyo by a wide margin last year, all eyes were on Doshisha to see if they could make up for their loss, but Teikyo, the defending champion, came away with another convincing victory.

(4) Kyoto Sangyo University vs. Keio University: 34-33

　　Kyoto Sangyo University, ranked No. 1 in the Kansai University League, was challenged by Keio University, ranked No. 4 in the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry group.  Keio put up a strong fight, and the match was close, but Kyoto Sangyo University prevailed.

The University Championship semifinal match was held at the National Stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

The pairings for the semifinals played on that day were as follows.

** Game 1: Kyoto Sangyo University vs. Waseda University

(Kansai University A League 1st place vs. Kanto University Rivalry Group 3rd place)

＊＊Game 2 : Teikyo University vs Tsukuba University 

(1st place in Kansai University A League vs 3rd place in Kanto Intercollegiate Tournament Group)

(1st place in Kanto University Rugby Rivalry group vs. 5th place in Kanto University Rugby Rivalry group)

Looking at the teams that made it to the semifinals this season, the strength of the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry group was noticeable. Of the four teams that made it to the semifinals, three were from the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry group, with only the defending champion, Teikyo University, showing any outstanding strength. The semi-finals and finals will be the highlight of the tournament to see which team will be able to prevent Teikyo University from winning again.

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

First, let me introduce Kyoto Sangyo University Rugby Club.

Kyoto Sangyo University won the Kansai University A League this season with an undefeated record. The results of this season’s matchups are as follows.

Date	Name		Name	score
9/18	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Kansei Gakuin University	69-19
9/25	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Setunan University	70-26
10/16	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Kansai University	99-15
10/30	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Ritsumeikan University	54-14
11/6	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Doshisya University	31-26
11/20	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Tenri University	29-22
12/3	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Kinki University	39-18
12/25	Kyoto Sangyou University	ｖｓ	Keio University	34-33

The Kyoto Sangyo University Rugby Club is characterized by its strength in contact play. It also traditionally has a reputation for strength in the scrum. In recent years, the team has invited former Japan national team SO Keizi Hirose and former Japan national team CTB Yukio Motoki to join the coaching staff, and has also been refining the decisiveness of the BK.

This day’s starting lineup were as follows.

Kyoto Sangyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Sanshiro NOMURA	177cm	103kg	22
2	Soonhong LEE	173cm	100kg	20
3	Ryu WATANABE	176cm	108kg	20
4	Solomone L. FUNAKI	186cm	115kg	20
5	Asaeli LAUSI	190cm	111kg	20	U18 Japan
6	Hayato FUKUNISHI	178cm	100kg	22	U18 Japan
7	Kosei MIKI	174cm	95kg	20	U18 Japan
8	Togo TAKAMOTO	172m	90kg	21
9	Asahi DOEI	170m	70kg	19
10	Hayato NISHINAKA	172cm	84kg	22
11	Hiroto NISHI	169cm	80kg	20
12	Kenta IEMURA	177cm	93kg	21
13	Ryosei TAKAI	176cm	82kg	21
14	Sione POLUTELE	184cm	110kg	19
15	Hayata TSUJINO	177cm	86kg	20

＊＊　Player to watch　＊＊

Asaeli LAUSII. 190 cm, 113 kg. 20 years old. Position = Lock. Graduated from Japan Aviation Ishikawa High School. He is a native of Tonga and a member of Japan’s U-18 national team. He is a key player of Kyoto Sangyo University’s hard contact rugby team. When he gets close to the enemy’s in-goal, it takes two or three men to stop his rush. The winner of this match will depend on Waseda’s ability to stop this player at key points.

Next up is the Waseda University Rugby Team.

Waseda’s record so far this season are as follows.

Date	Name		Name	score
9/10	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Aoyama　Gakuin　University	38-8
9/18	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Tsukuba　University	23-17
10/2	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Nihon　Taiiku　University	102-0
10/23	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Rikkyo　University	31-7
11/6	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Teikyo　University	17-49
11/23	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Keio University	19-13
12/4	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Meiji　University	21-35
12/11	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Toyo　University	34-19
12/25	Waseda University	ｖｓ	Meiji　University	27-21

In this season’s the Kanto University Rivalry Rugby group, they were outplayed by the top-ranked schools, Teikyo and Meiji. However, since entering the University Championship, Waseda’s main players who had been out due to injury returned to the team, and in the game on 12/11, the team won a comeback against Toyo University, which, like Kyoto Sangyo University, has international students as the core of its strong frontline. Furthermore, in the match on 12/25, Waseda was able to defeat Meiji University, which had suffered a complete defeat in the match three weeks earlier. Waseda has clearly improved their team strength. Can they beat Kyoto Sangyo University, the Kansai area champion?

This day’s starting lineup were as follows.

Waseda University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Taiga KAWASAKI	171cm	106kg	21	U18 Japan
2	Kenji SATO	177cm	108kg	20
3	Shotaro KAMEYAMA	176cm	115kg	20
4	Tomoki MAEDA	179cm	103kg	22
5	Daiki IKEMOTO	186cm	105kg	20
6	Masahiko SAGARA	180cm	99kg	21
7	Bunsuke KURITA	183cm	110kg	19
8	Jingo MURATA	185m	102kg	20
9	Masanori MIYAO	165m	70kg	20
10	Daisuke ITO	179cm	85kg	21	U18 Japan
11	Reo MATSUSHITA	183cm	93kg	21
12	Ko YOSHIMURA	175cm	84kg	22
13	Soma OKAZAKI	177cm	89kg	21
14	Eito MAKI	175cm	88kg	22	U18 Japan
15	Satoshi KOIZUMI	178cm	86kg	22

＊＊　Player to watch　＊＊

(The player on the far left in the photo is Masahiko SAGARA.)

Masahiko SAGARA is 180cm, 99kg, 22 years old. He is the captain of the Waseda University rugby team. He was injured in the match against Keio University on 11/23 and returned to play in the University Championship match against Meiji University on 12/25. He is the spiritual pillar of Waseda and a key player in the FW. He also experienced the first place in Japan University Championship as a FL three years ago. Can they beat Kyoto Sangyo University and advance to the final of the University Championship?

Let the match begin.

Three minutes into the first half:

Waseda University kicked off to start the game. Kyoto Sangyo University developed from their own area, and Waseda’s defenders got involved and knocked the ball on. This led to a scrum in which Kyoto Sangyo University had the ball in their own territory. Kyoto Sangyo University has traditionally featured strong scrums, so a strong push was expected, but surprisingly it was Waseda University who pushed over. Kyoto Sangyo University was fouled here for intentionally collapsing the scrum. Here, Waseda’s CTB YOSHIMURA attempted a PG, but failed. The score was 0-0.

9 minutes into the first half:

Kyoto Sangyo University entered the enemy territory and gradually advanced with a series of attacks led by the two foreign student locks of LAUSI and FUNAKI. Then, at a great position 10 meters directly in front of the goalposts in the enemy territory, they drew a foul on Waseda University and had a PG opportunity. Kyoto Sangyo University’s SO NISHINAKA scored the first goal for Kyoto Sangyo University. The score was 3-0.

15 minutes into the first half:

Kyoto Sangyo University developed to the left from its own ball scrum and was caught by Waseda University’s defenders, where they formed a dense group, but Kyoto Sangyo University was infringed in the dense group.

Here, Waseda University opted for the PG. This time, the position of the PG was about 20 meters to the left, slightly off the goal post. Waseda’s CTB YOSHIMURA succeeded in this PG, and the score was tied 3-3.

20 minutes into the first half:

Kyoto Sangyo University had a chance to scrum for their own ball deep beyond the enemy 22m line due to a foul by the opponent. WTB Polutele, Kyoto Sangyo University’s leading scorer, took the ball out of the scrum, ran straight up the field, bounced off two opponents, and dragged them both over for a try in the middle of the enemy in-goal on the right. In this situation, Waseda University knew POLUTERE was going to rush in here, but they could not stop him. It was an impressive breakthrough. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 10-0.

23 minutes into the first half:

Kyoto Sangyo University was getting better and better. Kyoto Sangyo University’s WTB POLUTELE was again active 5 meters in front of the Waseda in-goal on the right side of the field. He dragged two Waseda defenders behind him and fell into the right center of the in-goal, but Waseda University stopped the grounding of the ball at the very last moment.

26 minutes into the first half:

At this time, Waseda University dominated the ball in a series of densely contested battles in the enemy territory. The ball was then deployed near the 10-meter line near the enemy’s left flank, and Waseda’s No. 8 MURATA dodged two Kyoto Sangyo University defenders and scored a try in the middle of the in-goal on the left side.

Waseda University also succeeded in scoring the conversion goal after the try, tying the score at 10-10. This game has become a seesaw game, with Kyoto Sangyo University scoring and Waseda University quickly regaining the lead.

30 minutes into the first half:

Waseda University did not let go of the momentum they had once gained. Kyoto Sangyo University attacked Waseda University near their own in-goal, but Waseda University picked up the spilled ball in a dense formation and connected through FW and BK, taking the ball 5m before the enemy’s in-goal at once. Waseda University formed a tight group from the lineout, and WTB MAKI ran into the side of the group and scored a try on the right side of the goal post to make the score 10-15. Waseda University succeeded in reversing the score. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 10-17.

First half 38 minutes into the first half:

Kyoto Sangyo University was able to get the ball in the hands of Waseda University in a tight battle for the ball, and a penalty kick was awarded after a foul by the opponent 30 meters from the goal post. The score was 13-17 when SO NISHINAKA of Kyoto Sangyo University scored.

The first half ended with the score at 13-17.

Both teams showed their strengths, and the game was a good contest between the best of the best. Expectations are high for what kind of tactics both teams will show in the second half.

2 minutes into the second half

From the start of the second half, the spirit of Kyoto Sangyo University was evident as the FW and BK worked in unison to pass the ball forward at every point of contact with Waseda University. With three meters to go, Kyoto Sangyo University’s lock RAUSI leaped over the Waseda defense and scored a try right in the middle of the enemy’s in-goal. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and Kyoto Sangyo University was back on top again with the score 20-17.

10 minutes into the second half:

From the kick-off after the try, both teams kicked each other. Kyoto Sangyo University caught the kicked ball and tried to counter attack from their own area. Kyoto Sangyo University continued to make contact in the dense battle and gradually advanced. Then, in front of the goal post in the Waseda University camp, 25 meters away, Waseda University committed a Not Role Away foul, and Kyoto Sangyo University opted to go for the PG. Kyoto Sangyo University chose to go for the PG, and SO NISHINAKA of Kyoto Sangyo University made the PG to make the score 23-17, a six-point difference.

14 minutes into the second half:

Kyoto Sangyo University scored a series of goals and increased pressure at the point of contact, advancing again deep into enemy territory. Waseda University tried to kick their way out from deep in their own territory, but were unable to do so due to Kyoto Sangyo University’s kicking charges and other problems. Then, from a scrum deep in their own territory, Waseda University developed to the right and the ball was passed to Waseda University’s WTB MATSUSHITA, who was running along the side line. Kyoto Sangyo University’s defense caught MATSUSHITA for a moment, but MATSUSHITA shook it off and got behind the enemy defense. He then passed the ball to the SH MIYAO,who made a huge gain toward the enemy goal posts, and at the end, MIYAO dodged two chasing Kyoto Sangyo University defenders and scored a try on the right side of the enemy goal posts. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and Waseda University succeeded in making the score 23-24.

24 minutes into the second half:

Both teams began to show signs of fatigue, and minor mistakes became noticeable. Both teams launched a series of attacks, but in the process, it became noticeable that both teams were handing the ball over to their opponents due to mistakes. At this point, Kyoto Sangyo University drew a scrum collapsing infringement from Waseda University at the 10-meter line. At this point, Kyoto Sangyo University opted to go for the PG.

SO NISHINAKA scored. The score was 26-24, and Kyoto Sangyo University took the lead again.

27 minutes into the second half:

After a lineout in their own territory, Kyoto Sangyo formed a maul, and a knock-on foul was committed, giving Waseda University the right to attack. From there, Waseda University continued to attack, and SO Itoh used his individual skills to get past the Kyoto Sangyo University defense and scored a try in the middle on the left of the in-goal area. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 26-31.

Waseda University’s SO ITOH showed his U-18 JAPAN qualities with a sharp cut-in play in the opposite direction from his top speed.

Furthermore, in the 34th minute of the second half, Waseda University scored a PG to make the score 26-34, an 8-point difference. Considering the time remaining, it looked as if Waseda University would be able to run away with the game.

37 minutes into the second half:

In the final minutes of the match, both teams exchanged long kicks. However, NONAKA, who had come on as a substitute SO, made a tragic kicking error, and Kyoto Sangyo University had a chance to take the ball out on their left side near the Waseda University 22-meter line. This gave the momentum to Kyoto Sangyo University, which has three international students who can be strong breakthrough players. Kyoto Sangyo University connected the ball with an offload pass from lock LAUSI to another lock FUNAKI, and finally LAUSI dragged three opposing defenders to the right side of the goal post in enemy territory to score a try. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 33-34, with Kyoto Sangyo University within one point.

With about 2 minutes remaining, Kyoto Sangyo University was in a position to make a comeback if they could score a PG at the enemy’s ball. After a kicking battle between the two teams, Kyoto Sangyo University FB TSUJINO launched a counter attack, dodging 5 men with a divine step, only to commit a grievous knock-on foul. Finally, it was a scrum in Waseda University’s ball, and ITOH kicked it out to end the game. Waseda University won a close game, treading on thin ice at the end.

Waseda University will play in the finals with the winner of the second match of the semi-final.

This was followed by the second game of the day.

The pairings are

Teikyo University (Kanto University Rivalry Rugby group 1^st rank) vs.　

University of Tsukuba (Kanto University Rivalry Rugby group 5^th rank)

Now, let me introduce both teams.

First, let’s start with Teikyo University.

The winner of last season’s University Championship. This season, they will try to win the championship again.

Their records of this season are as follows.

	Teikyo University
Date	Name		Name	score
9/11	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Rikkyo University	88-0
9/17	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Aoyama Gakuin　University	52-0
10/2	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Tsukuba　University	45-20
10/16	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Nihon　Taiiku　University	129-6
11/6	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Waseda　University	49-17
11/20	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Meiji　University	29-13
12/3	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Keio University	39-18
12/25	Teikyo University	ｖｓ	Doshisya　University	50-0

Teikyo University is undefeated this season with 8 consecutive wins. All of their victories have come by overwhelming their opponents, and not a single game has been a hard-fought battle. Teikyo’s game plan is characterized by the fact that from the beginning to the end of the match, they go all out, and there is almost no time to cut corners. It will be interesting to see if any team will be able to prevent Teikyo from winning again this season.

Today’s starting lineup is as follows.

Teikyo University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Shota TAKAI	171cm	112kg	22
2	Hayate ERA	171cm	100kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
3	Taro UESUGI	176cm	113kg	20
4	Takuma MOTOHASHI	194cm	116kg	20
5	Masahiro ERIGUCHI	186cm	108kg	22
6	Keito AOKI	187cm	110kg	20
7	Akito OKUI	177cm	103kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
8	Shuto NOBEHARA	182cm	100kg	20	U-18 JAPAN
9	Kumusu LEE	174cm	80kg	20
10	Mikiya TAKAMOTO	172cm	82kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
11	Tomu TAKAMOTO	182cm	88kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
12	Chihiro MATSUYAMA	173cm	88kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
13	Kanji FUTAMURA	180cm	88kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
14	Shinya KOMURA	180cm	92kg	20
15	Kippei TANINAKA	178cm	78kg	22

＊＊　Players to watch　＊＊

Takuma MOTOHASHI is 20 years old, 194cm,116kg. He is a graduate of Kyoto Seisho High School. He has been a regular since his freshman year at Teikyo University, the reigning university champion. He is still growing in height, and if he continues to build a strong body, it is not impossible for him to make the long-awaited Japan national team player. However he is only a second-year student, he is expected to continue to play an active role and support Teikyo University in the future.

Next, let me introduce the University of Tsukuba University Rugby Club.

Tsukuba University’s record for this season is as follows.

	Tsukuba University
Date	Name		Name	score
9/11	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Meiji University	22-33
9/18	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Waseda University	17-23
10/2	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Teikyo University	20-45
10/16	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Keio University	12-16
11/5	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Aoyama Gakuin　University	38-14
11/19	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Rikkyo University	43-17
12/4	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Nihon Taiiku University	79-5
12/11	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Tenri University	50-22
12/25	Tsukuba University	ｖｓ	Tokai University	20-17

They gained University Championship, and have advanced to the semi-finals of the University Championship by defeating Tenri University, the second-ranked team in Kansai, followed by Tokai University, the first-ranked team in the Kanto University League Group. It can be said that the team has improved and won more and more as the season has deepened.

Today’s starters for the University of Tsukuba are as follows.

Tsukuba University
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Yusaku KIHARA	176cm	108kg	22
2	Koki HIDA	178cm	104kg	22
3	Daisuke KURASAKI	179cm	105kg	21
4	Kenkichi YANAGAWA	188cm	100kg	21
5	Ryuto YAGISAWA	188cm	108kg	22
6	Kodai Sean YOKOMIZO	187cm	88kg	20
7	Kotaro NARAMOTO	171cm	92kg	22
8	Hayata TANIYAMA	184cm	95kg	21	U-18 JAPAN
9	Takuya SHIRAE	164cm	69kg	21
10	Kanjiro NARAMOTO	178cm	84kg	18	U-18 JAPAN
11	Naoki IMOARAI	171cm	83kg	21
12	Hinata HORI	173cm	80kg	20
13	So MATSUSHIMA	173cm	81kg	21
14	Ryo HAMASHIMA	175cm	70kg	19
15	Kenshin TAKADA	173cm	78kg	21

＊＊　Player to watch　＊＊

Kanjiro NARAMOTO. 178 cm, 84 kg, 18 years old. He is a graduate of Higashi Fukuoka High School and a member of the U-18 Japan national team. He was selected as SO for this important match for Tsukuba University, even though he is a freshman. Moreover, the SO of his opponent, Teikyo University, is Takamoto, the No. 1 student SO. The ups and downs of this match will depend on NARAMOTO’s performance.

Let’s kick off the second semifinal match.

11 minutes into the first half:

Teikyo University is now attacking at full force as soon as the game starts. Therefore, if the opposing team is broken down from the first half, it will lead to a large number of scores at once. The tactic taken by Tsukuba University by this time was to avoid as much as possible to form a scrum, which is the set play that makes the most difference between Teikyo University and Tsukuba University.

One of Teikyo University’s winning tactics had been to dominate the scrum, draw infringements from their opponents, kick deep into the enemy territory for penalties, and from there, from the lineout, attack in a maul or deploy in a series of attacks to score more points.

However, Tsukuba committed an accidental offside foul early in the game, forcing the teams to scrum. Teikyo University kicked deep into enemy territory as planned, and from there secured the ball in the lineout. From there, Teikyo University failed to catch the ball, and a tight battle ensued, which Tsukuba won and escaped the initial pinch.

Tsukuba University’s strategy seemed to be to develop the game as they did in the match against Tokai University. In other words, the team attacked in a deployed manner throughout the match, and at the points of contact with the opponents, they fought in dense battles, and won the battles in order to advance. This tactic was based on the calculation that the team as a whole was competitive in terms of running ability.

However, although no points were scored, Teikyo University kept the game in Tsukuba’s camp from start to finish at that time, with Tsukuba University holding their own in front of their own in-goal.

The first goal was scored by Teikyo University. Teikyo University dropped a ball in a series of attacks around the enemy 22m line, but WTB Komura picked up the ball and cut in to score a try right in the in-goal, passing 4 to 5 Tsukuba defenders. SO TAKAMOTO also succeeded in scoring the conversion goal after the try, making the score 7-0 in favor of Teikyo University.

17 minutes into the first half:

Tsukuba University could calculate the score of their own ball against Teikyo University.

(1) Lineout for own ball

(2) A scrum with the ball on their own ball, and the No.8 quickly takes the ball out of play.

(3) Winning a tight battle in a dense.

The above strategies are possible. At the very least, Tsukuba University will be required to connect the ball won in this way with everyone running.

Tsukuba University entered the enemy territory from the kick-off after the try, and Teikyo University committed a Not Straight foul on a lineout throw-in around their own 22m line. At this point, Tsukuba University naturally chose to use their own lineout instead of a scrum, and secured the ball to deploy. When Tsukuba University’s SO Naramoto rolled a short punt, Teikyo’s prop committed an offside foul. Here, Tsukuba got a penalty kick, which gave them a lineout just in front of the enemy in-goal.

Tsukuba secured the ball at the lineout here, and moved forward in their own scoring pattern, a maul. Some of Tsukuba’s backs also joined the maul, and they moved further forward, but then Tsukuba moved to the left side, and the ball was passed to WTB IMOARAI on the left side.

IMOARAI dodged one Teikyo University defender and scored in the left corner of the enemy’s in-goal.

Tsukuba University missed the conversion goal after the try, but the score was 7-5. Up to this point, the match progressed almost according to the original plan of Tsukuba.

25 minutes into the first half

Teikyo University made a series of attacks after entering the enemy territory, and came close to the in-goal. Teikyo University took advantage of this great scoring opportunity, and after several attempts to regroup, they finally scored a scrum try in the left center of the field. Teikyo University eventually scored a try from a scrum in the middle of the left field. The conversion goal after the try failed, but Teikyo University took a 7-point lead with the score 12-5.

34 minutes into the first half:

In order to break down the opponent’s day defense, Tsukuba University’s way of playing the game was to use a lot of kicks, mainly by their SO, NARAMOTO. He looked at the opponent’s formation and kicked the ball towards where his team could win and connect with the ball.

During this period, Tsukuba University’s kicks were flying where they were intended, but Teikyo’s handling after the kicks gradually improved. Teikyo’s SO TAKAMOTO found a hole in Tsukuba’s defense, ran into it, and connected the ball to flanker AOKI, who scored a try in the left center. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 19-5.

36 minutes into the first half:

Towards the end of the first half, Tsukuba University seemed to tire a little, and Teikyo University deployed the ball from deep in their own territory, and CTB FUTAMURA made a big gain, connecting with WTB TAKAMOTO, who scored a try at the left end of the in-goal. The conversion goal after the try failed. The score was 24-5.

37 minutes into the first half:

Teikyo University’s BK players became bolder and bolder, as if they thought the score had almost reached a safe zone. Even from deep in their own half, they stepped forward, dodged Tsukuba University players, and made gains at a dash. Teikyo University’s FB TANINAKA and SH LEE exchanged passes, and finally, SH LEE scored a try just below the goal post. Teikyo’s conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 31-5, 26 points ahead of University of Tsukuba in the first half.

42 minutes into the first half:

Tsukuba University, wanting to score somehow, brought their own scoring pattern at the end of the first half. After the kick-off, they attacked into the enemy territory and made a series of passes and advanced to the 22-meter line. There, they drew an offside foul from Teikyo University, resulting in a penalty kick. Tsukuba University kicked the penalty kick to the left side of the enemy line, near the in-goal. From the lineout in this position, they secured their own ball and tried to advance with a maul. However, the maul attack, which was Tsukuba University’s forte, was no longer working. The pressure from Teikyo University made the maul stuck, so Tsukuba University had no choice but to switch to a deployed attack. Teikyo University got the ball back in a tight battle, and Tsukuba University’s chance to score at this point of the game was gone.

Will Tsukuba lose by a large margin, or will they be able to come back in the second half of the match? We look forward to seeing Tsukuba University’s second half comeback in order to make the game more exciting.

Let the second half begin.

10 minutes into the second half:

Perhaps recovering from fatigue at halftime, Tsukuba University regained the momentum from the first half as the second half began.

After kicking deep into the enemy territory and turning to counter-attacks, the teams fought densely for the ball and attacked in succession. And they avoided to scrum. For Tsukuba University, it looked as if they had Teikyo University wrapped up in their own easy way, but it was always Teikyo University who had the ball and launched a series of attacks. In this war of attrition, Tsukuba did not allow Teikyo scoring until 10 minutes of the second half, when Teikyo University’s Lock Motohashi scored a try in the middle right of the in-goal in Tsukuba’s territory. After the try, the conversion goal failed, and the score was 36-5.

Immediately after the try, Teikyo University changed three players at once.

Hooker ERA → FUKUI

Lock MOTOHASI → ASUI

CTB MATSUYAMA → GOTO

Teikyo University’s strength also lies in their depth of players, and the players who came on in the second half were stronger than the starters. They are truly Impact Players.

14 minutes into the second half:

After the match resumed, both teams kicked each other again, and Tsukuba University tried a counter attack. However, University of Tsukuba’s No.8 TANIYAMA committed a knock-on foul. This allowed Teikyo University to get into the enemy territory, and got the chance to my-ball scrum, and Teikyo University pushed forward and won the scrum one-sidedly. Teikyo University’s CTB Futamura received the ball, accelerated quickly, shook off three opposing defenders, and scored a try right in the middle of the enemy’s in-goal.

Teikyo University also succeeded in scoring the conversion goal after the try, making the score 43-5.

From Teikyo University’s own ball scrum, as the game started, the overwhelming difference in power pushed Tsukuba University’s FW one-sidedly, making it impossible for the FW to back up the BK line, and as a result, powerful Teikyo University BK players ran all over the ground and scored a try in a short period of time. This is what Tsukuba University feared. Up until this time, Tsukuba University had been able to reduce the number of scrums, and the game had proceeded according to the original plan, but they still could not stop Teikyo University.

23 minutes into the second half:

Tsukuba University had a great scoring opportunity to attack from a lineout in front of the enemy goal after a foul by their opponents, but it was no longer enough for Teikyo University. Tsukuba could not make any progress, and Teikyo University turned over the ball in a tight battle. Teikyo University connected with a series of attacks and went deep into the enemy territory, and CTB Goto scored a try in the right center of the enemy in-goal at the end. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 50-5.

Teikyo University then scored in the 26th, 35th, and 38th minutes of the second half, making the final score 71-5, a victory by a wide margin. For Tsukuba University, it was a bitter experience, as Teikyo University came on to their game plan, but were completely overpowered in their strong points.

Teikyo University’s opponent in the final, Waseda University, is expected to challenge Teikyo University with a deployed attack, just like Tsukuba University in this match, but how will Waseda University stand up to Teikyo University, which shows no flaws in both FW and BK? We look forward to a good match worthy of the finals.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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