(Written by Azul: December 24, 2024)
On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the 3rd round of the National University Rugby Championship was held at Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground in Minato-ku, Tokyo.
The weather was fine, but a very strong northerly wind was blowing, and this wind was expected to affect the development of the game.
The following 12 teams have advanced to the third round of the 2024 National University Rugby Championships.
Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group 5 Schools
1st : Waseda University
2nd : Teikyo University
3rd : Meiji University
4th : Keio Gizyuku University
5th : Aoyama Gakuin University
Kanto University Rugby League Group 3 Schools
1st : Daito Bunka University
2nd : Toyo University
3rd : Tokai University
Kansai University A League 3 schools
1st : Tenri University
2nd : Kyoto Sangyo University
3rd : Kinki University
Kyushu Student Rugby League 1st place
1st : Fukuoka Institute of Technology
Remarks:
For leagues with many participating universities, the top 3 schools will be eligible to participate. In addition to this, the league to which the winning team of the previous year belonged will receive one slot, and the team to which the runner-up team belonged will receive one slot. Last season, both of the schools that qualified for the finals were in the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group, so this season, the group has 5 spots available.
The temperature at the start of the match was 11 degrees Celsius, but due to the strong northerly wind, the temperature felt much lower.
The cheerleaders of Toyo University were cheering at the game site. When I came to watch the game on November 24, the cheerleaders of Hosei University were cheering in short sleeves and skirts, but the cheerleaders of Toyo University were fully warmed up on this day.
Now, here is the latest information on the two teams that will play on this day.
First, here is the latest information on the Toyo University rugby team, which finished second in the Kanto University League Group and qualified for this national championship.
This will be the Toyo University Rugby Club’s second appearance in the National Championship after being promoted to the first division of the Kanto University League Group in 2022. In 2022, their first appearance in the championship, they lost to Waseda University in the third round. If they win this match, they will advance to the quarterfinals of the University Championship for the first time in their history. Toyo University’s style of rugby play is characterized by the “attack is the best defense. Even against strong teams, Toyo University has been able to score many points by placing physical and superior players in key positions. However, while the team has an excellent attack, they also lose a lot of scores. They are good at scoring points against each other, but they are not good at scoring points against strong defenses. Will they be able to maintain their own fighting style against Keio University?
The starting lineup for the match was as follows.
| Toyo University | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Seita KASAMAKI | 175cm | 108kg | 21 | Captain |
| 2 | Shuto KOIZUMI | 171cm | 100kg | 20 | |
| 3 | Makito ISHIKAWA | 184cm | 115kg | 22 | |
| 4 | Daichi KURIHARA | 192cm | 95kg | 21 | |
| 5 | Juan OOSTHUYZEN | 211cm | 132kg | 22 | |
| 6 | Taketo MAEKAWA | 173cm | 97kg | 22 | |
| 7 | Miu Austin MORIYAMA | 181cm | 108kg | 21 | |
| 8 | Shu UEDA | 186m | 95kg | 21 | |
| 9 | Asahi IKUTA | 165m | 72kg | 18 | |
| 10 | Shinsuke AMO | 174cm | 83kg | 21 | |
| 11 | Marks MAURICE | 179cm | 89kg | 23 | |
| 12 | Adam TAMATI | 185cm | 97kg | 21 | |
| 13 | Kodai SATO | 173cm | 79kg | 21 | |
| 14 | Yohei BOND | 180cm | 87kg | 22 | |
| 15 | Kohaku SAKAMOTO | 168cm | 72kg | 19 | |
** Player to watch **
(The lifted player in the center of the photo is KURIHARA)
Daichi KURIHARA. 192 cm, 95 kg, 21 years old. He is a graduate of Isesaki Koyo High School. He started playing rugby in high school, but his alma mater was a no-name high school at the one-win level in the prefectural qualifying rounds. However, he was tall, so some university officials invited him to join the team, but he says, “I thought I wouldn’t be good enough, so I didn’t want to go on to higher education and play. However, he was enthusiastically invited by Toyo University coach Fukunaga and joined the Toyo University Rugby Club. At first, he could barely keep up with practice, but from his second year he was used as a starter and is now an unshakable regular player. A gem in the rough that shines when polished is a player like him.
Next, an update on the Keio Gizyuku University Rugby Club.
Keio Gizyuku University Rugby Club, a school with roots in Japanese rugby, has been participating in the National University Rugby Championship this season as the fourth place team in the Kanto University Rugby Rivalry Group. Although the team does not recruit a large number of Japan’s U-18 national team players like other strong universities, the tradition of training the players who have come to Keio to face strong teams is still alive and well. Since the team is inevitably inferior to the stronger schools in terms of individual breakthrough ability, the entire team tactics are incorporated into each individual player, and the whole team stands up to the challenge. The fighting spirit, traditionally known as “soul rugby,” is still alive and well this season.
This day’s starting lineup is as follows.
| Keio Gizyuku University | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Yugo IBUKI | 175cm | 98kg | 19 | |
| 2 | Taiki NAKAYAMA | 176cm | 105kg | 22 | Captain |
| 3 | Takashi YOSHIMURA | 177cm | 108kg | 22 | |
| 4 | Kenta NAKAYA | 183cm | 103kg | 22 | |
| 5 | Yuki ASAI | 188cm | 108kg | 22 | |
| 6 | Masanori NAKANO | 176cm | 101kg | 18 | |
| 7 | Eitetsu TANUMA | 176cm | 95kg | 22 | |
| 8 | Mansaku TOMINAGA | 188cm | 106kg | 22 | |
| 9 | Yamato KOJO | 168cm | 72kg | 22 | |
| 10 | Kentaro WADA | 168cm | 70kg | 19 | |
| 11 | Shinnosuke ISHIGAKI | 175cm | 80kg | 21 | |
| 12 | Ryohei IMANO | 183cm | 90kg | 21 | U18,U20 Japan,JJ |
| 13 | Kousuke MURATA | 174cm | 85kg | 22 | |
| 14 | Ryo HIROSE | 179cm | 78kg | 21 | |
| 15 | Ou IBUKI | 176cm | 81kg | 21 | |
** Player to watch **
(The player with the number 12 in the photo above is IMANO)
Ryohei IMANO. 183 cm, 90 kg, 21 years old. He is a graduate of Toin Gakuen High School. Position = SO, CTB, WTB, FB. U18, U20 Japan, Junior Japan. He was a national champion in his high school years, and later represented Japan in each generation of the national team. After entering Keio University, he quickly became an unshakable regular and is expected to lead the team as a BK leader.
He is a gem of a BK player with a good combination of running, offense, and defense, and we hope that he will aim for the Japan national team in the future.
Now, let the game begin.
5 minutes into the first half:
Toyo University kicked off from the downwind side, and the game got underway. As expected, the ball kicked by Keio University, which was upwind, went the distance. Keio University pushed deep into enemy territory, but Toyo University committed an infringement and Keio University opted for a penalty kick, resulting in a own ball lineout inside the 22m line.
Keio University secured the ball, and after a maul, they surged forward and scored the first try in the middle left of the enemy’s in-goal. The try was scored by Keio University hooker NAKAYAMA.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-7.
20 minutes into the first half:
In the early stages of the match, Keio University showed good movement in the densely packed field.
Although Toyo University was taller and heavier than the Keio’s FWs as a whole, Keio University had the advantage in terms of the speed with which they were able to gather and disperse into the densely-packed area. After taking the ball in the enemy territory, they gradually advanced and closed in on the enemy’s in-goal. From the dense in-goal area, Keio University’s SH KOJO moved to the left, cut in, and CTB IMANO scored a try to the left side of the goalposts.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-12 and giving Keio University the lead.
22 minutes into the first half:
Keio University kicked the ball back from the restart kick-off after the try, but Toyo University FB Sakamoto mishandled the ball and when he caught it, his foot went off the line. This resulted in Keio University having their own ball lineout deep in enemy territory. From there, Keio University secured the ball, and it was spread out to the right, where Keio University’s CTB IMANO scored his second try of the day, right under the goal post.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-21.
32 minutes into the first half:
Toyo University had the advantage in the set piece scrum, but in the densely packed battle, Keio University overwhelmed them with their concentration and took the ball away from them. This allowed Keio University to constantly attack in the enemy territory. Keio University steadily approached the enemy’s in-goal, and finally, Keio University lock NAKAYA scored a try on the right side of the goal post.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 0-28, with Keio University taking a massive lead and the game looking like a one-sided affair.
36 minutes into the first half:
Toyo University was unable to stop Keio University’s continuous attacks, and was almost glued to its own territory in the first half. Keio University’s attacks gradually became bolder and faster. Keio University kicked the ball behind the enemy defensive net, which was secured by Toyo University’s FL MORIYAMA, but he was pushed out of position in front of the in-goal, resulting in a lineout for Keio University to own the ball. From here, Keio University’s FW made a series of side attacks, and Keio University’s FL NAKANO scored a try at the left corner of the goal post.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-35.
39 minutes into the first half:
Keio University won a tight battle in the closing minutes of the first half, and their BK made more gains, closing in on the enemy’s in-goal. Toyo University managed to get the ball back in front of the in-goal, where SO AMOU of Toyo University kicked to WTB MARKS, who was stationed at the left corner of the in-goal. MARKS caught the ball and ran about 100 meters from his own in-goal to the enemy’s in-goal to score a try, a masterpiece of individual skill by MARKS.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 7-35.
The first half ended with the score 7-35.
In this match, it was evident that Keio University had studied Toyo University’s tactics well before the game.
Toyo University was scored many points against lower-ranked teams when looking at points scored. This was a result of Toyo University’s lack of tenacity in defense.
Next, Toyo University has strong runners in key positions, and they show their strength when they go on the attack, so it was necessary to reduce the opportunities for Toyo University to attack. From this point of view, Keio University dominated the ball battle in the dense first half and did not hand the ball over to Toyo University.
Toyo University had one weapon in their attack, the counter attack by FB Sakamoto, but Keio University crushed it at every opportunity and scored points of their own. This was made possible by the fact that Toyo University’s FB Sakamoto was not likely to kick the ball back, but rather to run with it almost 100% of the time.
Toyo University finally got a shot in the arm at the end of the first half, and will they be able to get back on track in the second half with the wind in their sails?
Toyo University sent a cheering section to this match, which means that Toyo University considers this match as one of the obstacles. They lost in the third round of the University Championship the year before last, so a win here would make new history for the Toyo University Rugby Club. Will the Toyo University Rugby Club be able to live up to the cheers and expectations of this cheering section?
Now, let the second half begin.
7 minutes into the second half:
At the start of the game, Toyo University entered the enemy territory and tried to break through with their key attacking player, an international student player. However, in a densely packed battle, the ball was won back by Keio University. Toyo University continued to attack, with the FWs pushing forward on the crowded side of the field, but Keio University’s tight defense in front of the in-goal made it difficult for them to score. In this situation, Toyo University continued to attack in the same pattern, and Keio University’s WTB ISIGAKI read the flow of the pass, intercepted it, and ran 100 meters across the left side of the field to score a try.
The conversion goal after the try failed, but Keio University scored the first points of the second half to make the score 7-40.
16 minutes into the second half:
Although they were unable to score any points in the middle of the half, Toyo University began to attack for a longer period of time in the second half. In such a situation, Toyo University approached the enemy’s in-goal, continued the attack, and turned the ball to the right corner where WTB MARKS scored his second try of the day.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 14-40.
21 minutes into the second half:
Keio University had their first chance to attack in the second half in a while. Keio University secured the ball in their own lineout, and through a gap in the Toyo University defense, Keio University’s SH KOJOH slipped through and scored a try in the middle of the enemy in-goal on the left side of the field.
The conversion goal after the try was missed, but the score was 14-45.
26 minutes into the second half:
At this point in the second half, Keio University began to attack more and more. Keio University continued to attack in the enemy territory, making progress through a series of minor line breaks and closing in on the enemy in-goal, where lock ASAI scored a try in the middle left of the enemy in-goal.
The conversion goal after the try failed, and the score was 14-50. Before the match, Toyo University was said to have the advantage, but the atmosphere of a convincing victory for Keio University was becoming stronger.
30 minutes into the second half:
Towards the end of the match, Toyo University’s original attacking momentum returned. With strong individual contact, they were able to accumulate gains and maintain rhythm while attacking in succession.
When Toyo University had a lineout opportunity in front of the enemy in-goal, they lost their hesitation and formed a maul, then drove left and right to score a try by hooker KOIZUMI.
The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 21-50.
Go, Toyo University! Don’t give up until the end.
40 minutes left in the second half
Time was running out, but Toyo University continued to push forward for a try to show their final determination. Toyo University came close to the enemy’s in-goal many times, but Keio University’s defense kept bouncing them back. However, the ball finally went to Toyo University’s WTB MARKS, who had scored two tries on the day, and MARKS dragged Keio University’s tacklers behind him to score a try right in the middle of the in-goal.
The conversion goal after the try was missed, but the score was 26-50.
In the end, the game ended here, and Keio University beat Toyo University to advance to the third round.
In this third-round match, Keio University was expected to have a tough time according to pre-match previews, but they showed their match mastery and made an impressive advance to the quarterfinals. Toyo University, on the other hand, lost in the third round to a team from the Kanto University rivalry group, as they had done the year before last. However, many of the regulars on this year’s team are underclassmen, and we hope that they will make the most of their experience this time and grow a lot for the next season.
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊
Stop the war.
Peace to Ukraine
＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊