Japanese Rugby

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Machpants]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Japanese Rugby:

What does player 1,2,3 mean?

[Daffy Jaffy]

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Machpants Maybe they are only allowed 3 non Japanese qualified international players per squad ?

[gt12]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Japanese Rugby:

@Machpants Maybe they are only allowed 3 non Japanese qualified international players per squad ?

I think there are three categories: A, B, C

A = Japanese and/or already Japanese qualified

B = on the path to becoming Japanese qualified

C = played for another nation (i.e., not available for Japan)

So, at Kobe, that is Lukhanyo Am, Cruden, and Smith whereas Buckman and Parker are classified as category B (could potentially turn out for Japan).

Of interest to me is the way they are getting around the purpose as the translation from Japanese is that category B players (like Buckman etc) are expected to become eligible.

I doubt that many of them would play for the Blossoms though...

[Bones]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Japanese Rugby:

Take away for me here is you didn't know who Matt Lucas and Viliami Tahitu'a were.

[gt12]

BTW, according to a Reddit thread (summarizing a French article about League 1 and the A, B, C categories):

From January 2022, League One teams will have to line up at least 11 category A players on the field and 17 category A players on the match sheet.

There will be no limit for category B while clubs will now be able to line up 3 foreign internationals on the field (against 2 in the Top League).

From January 2023, a quota of players will be applied to the team's squads, a first in the history of Japanese rugby. Japanese players (category A) must represent a minimum of 80% of a club's squad, or 40 or more players.

Players in categories B and C combined will not be able to exceed 20% of a team's squad, i.e. 10 foreign players or less. This announcement is made to allow more young Japanese players to play at the professional level while rubbing shoulders with more foreign stars at the expense of average foreign player

It will be interesting to see whether some of the current Bs move across to As and/or whether there will be less demand for non-Japanese players.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Bones Observant, but that's how it was when I copied it from a Reddit post. I knew Lucas, did not know Tahitu'a. So you are half right :cowboy_hat_face:

[Daffy Jaffy]

The 100 NZ-born players playing in Japan

DIVISION 1

Black Rams Tokyo: Colin Bourke, Blair Cowan, Matt McGahan, Jacob Skeen, Daymon Leasuasu, Josefa Logavatu

Green Rockets Tokatsu: Ash Dixon, Whetu Douglas, Lomano Lemeki, Fletcher Smith, Tom Marshall

Kobelco Kobe Steelers: Tom Franklin, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Brodi McCurran, Aaron Cruden, Hayden Parker, Richard Buckman, Fraser Anderson

Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay: Ryan Crotty

Saitama Wild Knights: Hadleigh Parkes, Lachlan Boshier, Vince Aso, Craig Millar, Mark Abbott

Shining Arcs Tokyo Bay Urayasu: Otere Black, Brackin Karauria-Henry, Jimmy Tupou, Luke Thompson, Anaru Rangi, Sekonaia Pole

Shizuoka Blue Revs: Malo Tuitama, Keagan Faria

Tokyo Sungoliath: Damian McKenzie, Tevita Li, Hendrik Tui, Tom Sanders, Joe Latta

Toshiba Brave Lupus: Matt Todd, Seta Tamanivalu, Tom Taylor, Johnny Fa’auli, Tim Bateman, Jack Stratton, Jacob Pierce, Nik McCurran, Michael Leitch, Warner Dearns

Toyota Verblitz: Patrick Tuipulotu, Michael Allardice, Tiaan Falcon, Charlie Lawrence, Rob Thompson, Male Sa’u, Will Tupou, Jamie Henry

Yokohama Canon Eagles: Liaki Moli

DIVISION 2

Hanazono Kintetsu Liners: Jed Brown, Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa

Hino Red Dolphins: Nasi Manu, Ash Parker, Augustine Pulu, Hayden Cripps, Jack Debreczeni, TJ Faiane, Chance Peni, Gillies Kaka

Kamaishi Seawaves: Morgan Mitchell, Ben Nee-Nee, Sam Henwood, Brett Cameron, Cameron Bailey

Mie Honda Heat: Tethui Roberts, Matt Duffie

Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars: Jackson Hemopo, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, Dylan Nel, Colin Slade, Michael Little, Matt Vaega, Roland Alaia’sa, Ben Paltridge

Skyactivs Hiroshima: David Milo, Tevin Ferris, Isi Manu

DIVISION 3

Kurita Water Gush Akishima: Brad Hemopo

Kyuden Voltex: Tom Rowe, Ray Tatafu, Sam Vaka

Munakata Sanix Blues: Scott Curry, Jarred Adams, Joseph Tupe, Coby Miln, Karne Hesketh

Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks: Albert Anae, Josh Bekhuis, Murphy Taramai, Orbyn Leger, USA Baleilautoka, Siale Piutau, Dick Wilson

Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi: Chris Gabriel, Taleni Seu, Luteru Laulala, Robbie Robinson

Not entirely accurate - E.g. - Dylan Nel was born in SA not NZ.

[Stargazer]

@Daffy-Jaffy I assume this is the source?

https://www.nzsportswire.com/2022/01/07/mckenzie-among-100-kiwis-set-for-japan-rugby-league-one/

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Stargazer I just found the list on Reddit. It looks to be the same.

[Stargazer]

It's weird how they list players like Anaru Rangi, Hendrik Tui and Chance Peni, but forget Quade Cooper.

[Stargazer]

I have gone through a few months of media releases from the Top League One to look at the player (and coach) movements.

No signings of NZ players announced, yet. There are several players (and coaches) leaving their club, though.
These players who are leaving their club may obviously decide to stay in Japan and just move to another club. A few may retire, and others may decide to leave Japan to either return to NZ or to go elsewhere (MLR, for example).

Also good to note that these announcements may sometimes be published after players have already left.

Bryce Robins (skills coach) leaving Shining Arcs Tokyo
Joe Maddock (assistant coach) leaving Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Greg Cooper (head coach) leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Nick Collins (performance director) leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Simon Cron (head coach) leaving Toyota Verblitz
Dave Dillon (manager) leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Ben Herring (assistant coach) leaving Hino Red Dolphins

Johnny Fa'auli leaving Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Colin Slade leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Michael Little leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Joe Latta leaving Tokyo Sungoliath
Damian McKenzie leaving Tokyo Sungoliath
Matt Duffie leaving Mie Honda Heat (retiring)
Morgan Mitchell leaving Kamaishi Seawaves RFC
Sam Henwood leaving Kamaishi Seawaves RFC
Brett Cameron leaving Kamaishi Seawaves RFC
Colin Bourke leaving Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
Daymon Leasuasu leaving Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
Fletcher Smith leaving NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
Patrick Tuipulotu leaving Toyota Verblitz
Nasi Manu leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Jack Debreczeni leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Hayden Cripps leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Gillies Kaka leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Hayden Parker leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Aaron Cruden leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Ben Smith leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Fraser Anderson leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Jordan Smiler leaving Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi
Robbie Robinson leaving Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi
Luteru Laulala leaving Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi

last checked on Sunday, 5 June 2022

[Stargazer]

Just saw a media release saying that Sanix has completely withdrawn Munakata Sanix Blues from the Top League One. They had tried to transfer the club to a third party, but were unsuccessful.

[Machpants]

@Stargazer said in Japanese Rugby:

Just saw a media release saying that Sanix has completely withdrawn Munakata Sanix Blues from the Top League One. They had tried to transfer the club to a third party, but were unsuccessful.

Any big names in that team?

[gt12]

@Machpants said in Japanese Rugby:

@Stargazer said in Japanese Rugby:

Just saw a media release saying that Sanix has completely withdrawn Munakata Sanix Blues from the Top League One. They had tried to transfer the club to a third party, but were unsuccessful.

Any big names in that team?

Not really: Scott Curry? Some other kiwis are Joseph Tupe (De La Salle), Jarred Adams (Wesley), Coby Miln (HBS), Dallas Tatana.

With the yen so weak and the economy not going that well here, I wouldn't be surprised to see Japan become less attractive as salaries may fall in both facets (real, exchange). Some companies will invest far less in the teams as they will face pressure from shareholders.

[Bovidae]

Also Karne Hesketh, whose partner is Black Fern Carla Hohepa. I assume that's why Paddy Ryan returned to NSW.

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Yeah, and Scott Curry was always going to return to the AB7s anyway.

@Bovidae said in Japanese Rugby:

Also Karne Hesketh, whose partner is Black Fern Carla Hohepa. I assume that's why Paddy Ryan returned to NSW.

I assume that Napier Boys' product Hesketh - who played 35 games (4 seasons) for Otago - must be close to retirement, considering he's 36.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer said in Japanese Rugby:

@gt12 Yeah, and Scott Curry was always going to return to the AB7s anyway.

@Bovidae said in Japanese Rugby:

Also Karne Hesketh, whose partner is Black Fern Carla Hohepa. I assume that's why Paddy Ryan returned to NSW.

I assume that Napier Boys' product Hesketh - who played 35 games (4 seasons) for Otago - must be close to retirement, considering he's 36.

She's still playing at the same age.

[Stargazer]

Top League One player movements

Changes in "leaving" list are in bold or strikethrough. "Signed" and "Re-signed" lists are new.

LEAVING
Bryce Robins (skills coach) leaving Shining Arcs Tokyo (to NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka)
Joe Maddock (assistant coach) leaving Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Greg Cooper (head coach) leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Nick Collins (performance director) leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Simon Cron (head coach) leaving Toyota Verblitz
Dave Dillon (manager) leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Ben Herring (assistant coach) leaving Hino Red Dolphins

Johnny Fa'auli leaving Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Colin Slade leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Michael Little leaving Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynabours
Joe Latta leaving Tokyo Sungoliath
Damian McKenzie leaving Tokyo Sungoliath
Matt Duffie leaving Mie Honda Heat (retiring)
Morgan Mitchell leaving Kamaishi Seawaves RFC
Sam Henwood leaving Kamaishi Seawaves RFC
Brett Cameron leaving Kamaishi Seawaves RFC
Colin Bourke leaving Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
Daymon Leasuasu leaving Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
Fletcher Smith leaving NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu
Patrick Tuipulotu leaving Toyota Verblitz
Nasi Manu leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Jack Debreczeni leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Hayden Cripps leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Gillies Kaka leaving Hino Red Dolphins
Hayden Parker leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Aaron Cruden leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Ben Smith leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Fraser Anderson leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Jordan Smiler leaving Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi
Robbie Robinson leaving Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi
Luteru Laulala leaving Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi
Tim Bateman leaving Toshiba Brave Lupus
Brodi McCurran leaving Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Hadley Parks leaving Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights

SIGNED
Bryce Robins appointed assistant coach at NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka (from Shining Arcs Tokyo)

Liam Mitchell joining Panasonic Wild Knights (from Zebre)

RE-SIGNED
Sam Henwood staying at Kamaishi Seawaves RFC

List last updated on Sunday, 3 July 2022
(note that these announcements may sometimes be published after players have already left/joined)