Six months on, Brave Blossoms captain Michael Leitch reflects on historic World Cup
The New Zealand-born back rower became a symbol of the multicultural squad that achieved Japan's first-ever quarterfinal appearance at the tournament last fall.
Odd decisions, big questions amidst crises in Japanese rugby
With rugby seemingly done for the season, it is time to look back on a crazy few months that have seen Japanese rugby go from the highs of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to a state of confusion in which even a former Brave ...
Last dance for Sunwolves complicates matters in 2020 Super Rugby campaign
Lance Conrad wrote in "The Price of Nobility" that "only a fool would underestimate a man with nothing to lose." It is a mantra that perhaps should be taken up by the coaches of the 12 Super Rugby sides that take on the Sunwolves this ...
Brave Blossoms head coach Jamie Joseph calls for structural reform
Japan coach Jamie Joseph put the cat among the pigeons Wednesday when he said the Brave Blossoms could not hope to remain a top eight nation if the current domestic structures remain in place. Speaking to the media for the first time since he agreed ...
Rugby World Cup star Kotaro Matsushima will join French side ASM Clermont Auvergne from July, the winger's Japan Top League club Suntory Sungoliath confirmed Tuesday. The 26-year-old will link with the club in the Top 14, the premier tier of French rugby, following the Top ...
Kenki Fukuoka pulls out of Olympic rugby sevens camp with knee injury
Brave Blossoms World Cup star Kenki Fukuoka has pulled out of an upcoming training camp for Japan's Olympic rugby sevens squad because of a knee injury, the Japan Rugby Football Union said Wednesday. The 27-year-old hurt his left knee while playing for the Panasonic Wild ...
Brave Blossoms star Kenki Fukuoka sets sights on Tokyo Olympics
Rugby World Cup star Kenki Fukuoka said Saturday he was relieved to score a try in his final 15s match of the season as he shifts his focus toward this summer's Tokyo Olympics. "I'm happy and relieved," Fukuoka said after his Panasonic Wild Knights defeated ...
The Brave Blossoms, who reached the quarterfinals of last year's Rugby World Cup in Japan, will play host to Wales on June 27, both nation's rugby unions announced Friday. Wales is eager to continue its engagement with Japan after reaching the semifinals last year and ...
Matching magic moments to karaoke classics in a historic year for Japan rugby
With the bōnenkai (year-end party) season in full swing, it is time to look back at a special year of rugby in Japan while also trying to predict what the future holds. And what better way to do it than in traditional karaoke style with ...
Leitch wants to make sure rugby's current popularity remains high
Since the staging of a successful Rugby World Cup this year, the popularity of the game has been at an all-time high in Japan. This, however, wasn't an entirely new experience for star Michael Leitch and some of his Brave Blossoms teammates. The Japan national ...
Japan exceeded all expectations at 'magnificent' RWC
I thought the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan was a magnificent tournament. It was extremely well organized, with great participation by the host country. Financially and in terms of participation, it was the most successful World Cup there has been. Japan was wrapped up ...
Kintetsu Liners' Luke Thompson bids farewell to home fans at Hanazono Rugby Stadium
Veteran lock Luke Thompson, who helped Japan reach the quarterfinals for the first time at this fall's Rugby World Cup, played his final home match at Hanazono Rugby Stadium on Sunday. The 38-year-old Thompson, who plans to retire at the end of the season, played ...
