Rugby Dec 16, 2020
Ayumu Goromaru says upcoming retirement part of plan that began after college
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The former Japan national team star fullback said he always planned to retire the year he turned 35.
Rugby Dec 9, 2020
The fullback, who played a key role in Japan's famous 2015 Rugby World Cup win over South Africa, will play one more Top League season for Yamaha Jubilo.
Rugby | ADDING THE EXTRAS Aug 9, 2019
Risk of injury real concern before final squads named
by Rich Freeman
With less than three weeks to go before the 2019 Rugby World Cup coaches name their final squads, and 41 days before the tournament kicks off in Tokyo, it is a nervous time for players. While warm-up games — and there are plenty this weekend ...
Rugby / Sports Jun 12, 2019
Final countdown begins for 2019 Rugby World Cup
by Rich Freeman
Japan on Wednesday marked 100 days to go until the start of this year's Rugby World Cup, with World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper saying, "The waiting is almost over." With 1.5 million of the 1.8 million tickets already sold and 500,000 overseas visitors now expected ...
Rugby | RWC Countdown Sep 19, 2018
Brave Blossoms icon Goromaru calls for better promotion of Japanese rugby
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Rugby icon Ayumu Goromaru is deeply concerned with the status quo surrounding his sport since the Japan's national team's sensational World Cup campaign in 2015. "Frankly speaking, as a player I feel very irritated," said Goromaru, a fullback for the Top League's Yamaha Jubilo, in ...
Rugby Sep 1, 2018
For the second night running at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, a late drop goal proved decisive as the Toyota Industries Shuttles opened their Top League campaign Saturday with a 9-8 win over the NEC Green Rockets. Just as Canon Eagles' Yu Tamura was on ...
Sports Mar 29, 2018
With new name and mission, Japan Sport Association seeks greater public participation in sports
by Kaz Nagatsuka
The Japan Sports Association is modifying its organizational name beginning with the start of the new fiscal year on Sunday. Well, in English, the change is tiny. It will now be called the Japan Sport Association, with "Sport" as a singular noun (the abbreviation becomes ...
More Sports / Rugby Oct 28, 2017
Japan coach Jamie Joseph was left with plenty to think about Saturday as the Brave Blossoms fell 47-27 to Robbie Deans' World XV at Level 5 Stadium. A week before they take on Australia — runner-up at the last Rugby World Cup and winner over ...
More Sports / Rugby Oct 26, 2017
Jamie Joseph's Japan side faces its first test of the autumn Saturday when it takes on Robbie Deans' World XV in an uncapped game at Fukuoka's Level 5 Stadium. The Brave Blossoms meet a side that includes representatives from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, England, ...
More Sports / Rugby Sep 2, 2017
Defending Top League champion Suntory Sungoliath showed they are not giving their title up without a fight Saturday, rallying to beat Yamaha Jubilo 27-24 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground. A try after the hooter from Kosei Ono from a quickly taken penalty by Atsushi ...
More Sports / Rugby Jul 3, 2017
Japan fullback Ayumu Goromaru said Monday he knew Yamaha would be his home if and when he decided to shift his playing base back to Japan, and he has made that a reality. "I felt I wanted to play for Yamaha Motors again if I ...
More Sports / Rugby Jun 5, 2017
Japan's 2015 Rugby World Cup hero Ayumu Goromaru is rejoining his old side Yamaha Jubilo after a year-and-a-half playing in Australia and France, the fullback revealed Monday on his website. The 31-year-old had an option to extend his deal in Toulon by a further year ...