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Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 25, 2022

Ian Foster relieved at All Blacks' 'different journey' to title

New Zealand beat Australia in Auckland on Saturday, then had to wait eight hours to be confirmed champions when South Africa failed to record the landslide win they needed against Argentina.
Japan Times
Rugby
Aug 17, 2022

New Zealand backs Ian Foster as All Blacks coach through to World Cup

Foster, appointed following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, has struggled to reproduce the same results as his predecessor Steve Hansen following the retirements of several world-class players.
Japan Times
Rugby
Mar 27, 2022

RFU chief planning for homegrown successor to head coach Eddie Jones

A move to an English coach following the 2023 Rugby World Cup would effectively rule out former Wales coach Warren Gatland or ex-South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus.
Japan Times
Rugby
Jul 22, 2021

Half of elite rugby players showed changes in brain volume, concussion study finds

Head injuries and their potential long-term health impact have been in the spotlight since former players filed a class-action lawsuit against governing bodies.
Japan Times
Rugby
Dec 11, 2019

Brave Blossoms express gratitude at Tokyo parade

Members of Japan's men's national rugby team marched through Tokyo's Marunouchi Naka-dori street on Wednesday in a parade held to express appreciation for the support they received from fans during the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 22, 2019

Even after routing Scotland, Ireland remains wary of Japan

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt dismissed suggestions his players can take it easy after starting their Rugby World Cup campaign with a resounding win over Scotland on Sunday, warning that "dangerous" next opponent Japan will punish any complacency from the world's No. 1-ranked side.
Japan Times
Rugby
Sep 21, 2019

Japan's hat-trick hero Kotaro Matsushima says Brave Blossoms will be ready for Ireland match

Hat-trick hero Kotaro Matsushima is backing Japan to shake off its Rugby World Cup stage fright before it plays Ireland next weekend, after the host nation recovered from a nervy start to beat Russia in the tournament opener on Friday night.
Rugby
Sep 14, 2019

From cow suit to All Blacks jersey: Shannon Frizell's journey to Japan

Loose forward Shannon Frizell was surprised and delighted to be summoned to the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad on Friday, having been wearing a cow suit at a gym session only hours before the call from the team's staff.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Our Lives
Sep 9, 2019

No mountain high enough: Hideyuki Sugita overcomes a massive barrier to climb Mount Fuji

Hideyuki Sugita was exhausted as he scaled the rocky mountain pass in total darkness early one Friday late last month.
Japan Times
Rugby
Aug 30, 2019

Pacific nations back in spotlight but old problems still remain

Fiji, Samoa and Tonga will be thrust into the spotlight this weekend during the Pasifika Challenge doubleheader in Auckland, but age-old problems continue to haunt them ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
Rugby
Aug 29, 2019

Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph hails contributions of team's foreign-born players

Japan national rugby team head coach Jamie Joseph countered observations Thursday that his squad for the upcoming Rugby World Cup contains several players born overseas by asking the question "what is a foreign player?"
Japan Times
Rugby
May 16, 2019

Scotland's Stuart Hogg looks ahead to rematch with Brave Blossoms

Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg admits the autumn heat in Japan could hamper his team's chances of claiming a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal spot at the host nation's expense later this year.
Eddie Jones, who coached Australia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, has been linked with a return to Japan.
MORE SPORTS
Nov 13, 2023

Eddie Jones expects to land new job by January

Jones has been heavily linked with a return to Japan.
New Zealand's Richie Mo'unga in action against Argentina in the semifinals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, in Saint-Denis, France, on Oct. 20
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Nov 21, 2023

Mo'unga ready to forget All Blacks after Japan switch

Mo'unga has moved to Toshiba Brave Lupus on a three-year deal, meaning he cannot play for the All Blacks during that time unless eligibility rules change.
New Zealand's Ardie Savea (right) in action with South Africa's Jean Kleyn at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, on Oct. 28
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Dec 1, 2023

All Black Savea eager to test himself with Japan move

The All Blacks loose forward has signed for Kobe Steelers on a one-season deal that means he will not miss any games for his country.
Eddie Jones at a news conference after being named as Japan rugby head coach in Tokyo on Thursday
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Dec 14, 2023

No guilt for Eddie Jones after taking Japan job

Jones quit his native Australia after leading them to a dismal showing at the Rugby World Cup.
Japan rugby head coach Eddie Jones attends a news conference at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Mar 13, 2024

Eddie Jones aims to make Japan a top four side and find rugby's Ohtani

Jones takes over Japan for a second spell after a calamitous, short-lived stint with Australia.
New Zealand's men's team players do the haka after winning the Cup Final match at the 2024 Rugby Sevens Hong Kong tournament on Sunday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Apr 8, 2024

New Zealand sends Paris Olympics warning with Hong Kong sevens win

A cagey men's final was decided by two quickfire second-half tries by Scott Curry and Cody Vai.
Ian Foster, then-New Zealand head coach, during training in Paris on Oct. 13
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Apr 16, 2024

Former All Blacks coach Foster makes Japan move

Ian Foster has not coached since leading the All Blacks to last year's World Cup final, where they lost 12-11 to South Africa.
U.S. rugby player Ilona Maher poses for a portrait during the Team USA media summit ahead of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, at an event in New York on April 15.
BUSINESS
Jul 24, 2024

Athlete influencers compete for likes as well as medals in Paris

In years past, athletes might have needed a manager to negotiate deals with brands. Now, a company will reach out directly to strike a deal.
Argentina's Joel Sclavi (left), Ignacio Calles (center) and Thomas Gallo celebrate after Los Pumas defeated the Springboks on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Sep 22, 2024

Argentina stuns South Africa in 29-28 win to keep title hopes alive

Flyhalf Tomas Albornoz kicked a penalty 11 minutes from the end to hand Argentina a thrilling 29-28 victory over South Africa.
The All Blacks' Ardie Savea faces off with Pumas wing Rodrigo Isgro during their Rugby Championship match on Saturday in Cordoba, Argentina.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Aug 17, 2025

All Blacks beat Argentina 41-24 to reclaim top world rank

Ahead 31-10 at the interval, New Zealand held off a second-half fightback from the Pumas in Cordoba and ultimately emerged as the victors by scoring six tries to three.
New Zealand's Ardie Savea wins the lineout against Italy at Allianz Stadium in Turin on Nov. 23.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Aug 22, 2025

All Blacks' 'big bodies' look to outmuscle Pumas in Buenos Aires

The bulked-up back row has been seen as a longer-term plan to muscle up to world champions South Africa in the collisions.

Longform

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