Rugby Jun 1, 2020
Sunwolves' time in Super Rugby over as team's bid to join tourney in Australia fails
Japan's Super Rugby team had been attempting to join a competition hosted by Rugby Australia.
Rugby May 22, 2020
JRFU hopes to be key to more unified rugby world
by Rich Freeman
Chairman Kensuke Iwabuchi hopes Japan can help steer rugby toward a global calendar and develop the sport in Asia.
Rugby May 12, 2020
The launch of a new domestic rugby competition in Japan, originally scheduled for the fall of next year, may be delayed due to the one-year postponement of the Summer Olympics, a Japan Rugby Football Union executive said Monday. Speaking to reporters online, Mayumi Taniguchi, a ...
Rugby | ADDING THE EXTRAS May 1, 2020
Rule change leaves trio of naturalized Top League players in limbo
by Rich Freeman
The group, which includes two players who have represented Japan in sevens, is petitioning the Japan Rugby Football Union to recognize their status as local players.
Rugby Apr 3, 2020
All-Japan Championship canceled for first time over coronavirus
The Japan Rugby Football Union announced Thursday the cancellation of this year's All-Japan Championship in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The season-ending championship, usually involving the top four sides from the Top League competition, was scheduled to take place over two weekends beginning on ...
Rugby | ADDING THE EXTRAS Mar 28, 2020
Odd decisions, big questions amidst crises in Japanese rugby
by Rich Freeman
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 ...
Rugby Mar 10, 2020
2019 RWC organizers allocate funds for development of rugby, new museum
The 2019 Rugby World Cup generated a surplus of ¥6.8 billion ($65 million), the organizers' board of directors reported Tuesday. Organizers are asking the Japan Rugby Football Union to spend ¥2 billion of the profits, intended for the development of rugby, toward the construction of ...
Rugby Mar 7, 2020
2019 Rugby World Cup organizers estimate profit of ¥6 billion: source
The organizers of Rugby World Cup 2019, which was held in Japan last autumn, are forecasting a profit of at least ¥6 billion ($57 million), a source said Friday. The Japan Rugby Football Union and the organizing committee's board of directors will now decide how ...
Rugby Mar 5, 2020
Hino Red Dolphins' Joel Everson arrested on suspicion of drug use
A player for Japan Top League club Hino Red Dolphins has been arrested on suspicion of illegal use of drugs involving cocaine, the Japan Rugby Football Union said Thursday. According to the club, which has announced the indefinite suspension of all team activities, the arrested ...
Rugby Feb 10, 2020
Brave Blossoms head coach Jamie Joseph in middle of conflict between JRFU, World Rugby
by Rich Freeman
An escalating spat between World Rugby and the Japan Rugby Football Union was behind Brave Blossoms coach Jamie Joseph's recent comments about the timing of a new domestic league, a source close to the matter has told Kyodo News. In his first press conference since ...
Rugby | ADDING THE EXTRAS Jan 31, 2020
Last dance for Sunwolves complicates matters in 2020 Super Rugby campaign
by Rich Freeman
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 ...
Rugby Jan 29, 2020
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 ...