Japanese Rugby

[NTA]

Watching a red team play a blue team on a dustbowl.

TJ Perenara is still an absolute cock

[mikey07]

@nta I was waiting for someone so start bowling on it looked it had some turn on it

[NTA]

@mikey07 said in Japan Top League:

@nta I was waiting for someone so start bowling on it looked it had some turn on it

They had to chase a bunch of Indian cricketers off it before kickoff

[mofitzy_]

[Dice]

Tevita Li looks like prime Jonah Lomu over there.

[Higgins]

@dice Looking at the standard, admittedly after only watching patches of about half a dozen games, Owen Franks probably would too!

[mikey07]

@mofitzy_ Look at all his tackle breaks.

[Kiap]

@higgins - does Franks need a spare million bucks ... maybe he can suit up?

Tevita Li carved it for the Suntory Beaudens and seemingly has three cherry blossoms in the mail.

Beaudy starred as himself but also made quite a few errors. He owed them that kick in the end, imo.

[Machpants]

Yeah it's fun to watch but the physicality is low, not great preparation for test match rugby!

[Machpants]

Interesting article. And a game to watch on Sunday servo!

https://thechaserugby.com/2021/04/02/statistical-analysis-wayne-smiths-rugby-blueprint/

[Duluth]

Any team lists for tomorrow’s Wild Knights v Kobe Steel? Are Retallick, Cruden and Ben Smith all playing?

[Stargazer]

@duluth Kobe: Retallick, Franklin, Parker and Smith starting; Cruden on the bench.

Panasonic:

[Stargazer]

Five more conversions from Tiaan Falcon, today (5 from 5 kicks at goal). Toyota Verblitz beat Mitshubishi Dynaboars 40 - 29.

[Bovidae]

I've just finished watching the Kobe-Panasonic game I recorded. A pity about the weather but entertaining anyway. BBBR is still a menace in the mauls and won a couple of lineouts against the throw. Some of the reserves for both teams (e.g., hookers) are a big step down from the starters.

[Kruse]

@stargazer said in Japan Top League:

Panasonic:

The difference in demeanours between the two props is outstanding.

#1 looks like he got selected due to some heavy Yakuza influence,
While #3 appears to be very happy to be allowed on a full-size team bus, rather than his normal "short bus".

[Rancid Schnitzel]

Have really been enjoying watching some of these games. Obviously not Super standard but always entertaining.

[shark]

There was a really good game on yesterday. Pity the commentary is lacklustre and there aren't any crowds though as there is the potential for some pretty cool spectacles.

[Stargazer]

All is not well, in preparation for the new comp in 2022 ...

This is from a few weeks ago:

[Stargazer]

See also my previous post in this thread.

[gt12]

@stargazer

From what I know of from speaking to non-Japanese players here over a few years, you are an idiot if you think that you will be shown any loyalty - the rugby teams are are bought and paid for as an extra for companies that can be shut down for any number of reasons, right or wrong. Performance of the company down? Cut the non-Japanese; Scandal? Shut down the footy; Not as good as the agent said (i.e., didn't win it all by themself)? Contract terminated.

I don't know if it is as bad as is was in the early 2000s (when I knew a few more players and their families) but it's a very brutal business here, so committing to it for the longer term will definitely see people get shafted.