Japanese Rugby
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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.
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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.
@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/
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@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/
@Stargazer I just found the list on Reddit. It looks to be the same.
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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 DolphinsJohnny 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 Aichilast checked on Sunday, 5 June 2022
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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.
@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?
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@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?
@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.
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@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.
@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.
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@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.
@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.
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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 DolphinsJohnny 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) -
@Stargazer googling and seeing very little about the shining arcs being disbanded, kind of weird
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@Stargazer googling and seeing very little about the shining arcs being disbanded, kind of weird
@Kiwiwomble said in Japanese Rugby:
@Stargazer googling and seeing very little about the shining arcs being disbanded, kind of weird
I'm guessing most of that information would be in Japanese.
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@Stargazer googling and seeing very little about the shining arcs being disbanded, kind of weird
@Kiwiwomble It seems to be the result of a reorganisation.
This what the official media release on the Japan Rugby League One website says (translated by google):
We are pleased to inform you that Urayasu D-Rocks has been launched due to the reorganization of the NTT rugby team.
Shining Arcs and Red Hurricanes are both NTT teams.
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@Kiwiwomble It seems to be the result of a reorganisation.
This what the official media release on the Japan Rugby League One website says (translated by google):
We are pleased to inform you that Urayasu D-Rocks has been launched due to the reorganization of the NTT rugby team.
Shining Arcs and Red Hurricanes are both NTT teams.
@Stargazer said in Japanese Rugby:
@Kiwiwomble It seems to be the result of a reorganisation.
This what the official media release on the Japan Rugby League One website says (translated by google):
We are pleased to inform you that Urayasu D-Rocks has been launched due to the reorganization of the NTT rugby team.
Shining Arcs and Red Hurricanes are both NTT teams.
I think it's primarily a business decision - having two teams across the same conglomerate costs a lot and companies are under pressure. The biggest weakness of the Japanese model is that the strength of a team can vary significantly from year to year (or be reorganized as in this case) based on the performance of the firm or strategic direction. In this case, NTT communications and NTT Docomo (two NTT subsidiaries) have got together (40% stake each) with NTT (20%) to form a new firm, NTT Sports X, that will have the rugby under it.
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