Michael Leitch eyes Pacific Nations Cup return as Rugby World Cup looms
Japan captain Michael Leitch is targeting the Pacific Nations Cup game against Fiji on July 27 for his long-awaited return to action. The 30-year-old back-row forward has not played since Dec. 15 due to a chronic groin injury, but he is back training with the ...
Captain Michael Leitch says Brave Blossoms can make history at Rugby World Cup
Japan captain Michael Leitch warned that the Brave Blossoms will fear no one at this year's World Cup as the hosts target a place in the knockout stage for the first time. The New Zealand-born flanker shot to fame four years ago when Japan won ...
JRFU's bewildering plans for Top League reform spark skepticism, opposition
The news that the Japan Rugby Top League is to undergo reform following this year's World Cup should have been met with heraldic fanfare, given the nation's recent entry into the Reiwa Era. But having spoken to a number of coaches, players and longtime observers ...
Kazuki Himeno looks to follow example set by Japan captain Michael Leitch
With the 2019 Rugby World Cup set to kick off in less than seven months, members of the Japan squad went through their paces Thursday at the national team camp in the western Tokyo city of Machida. Among the players looking to make their mark ...
Captain Michael Leitch saves day as Japan rallies past Russia
Japan captain Michael Leitch saved his side's blushes Saturday as his second try of the game sealed a 32-27 win over Russia in an international friendly at Kingsholm Stadium. The 30-year-old flanker reacted the quickest to the bounce of the ball following a clever kick ...
All Blacks whip Brave Blossoms
Japan scored five tries against the world champion All Blacks but still suffered a 69-31 defeat on Saturday. Japan went into the match at Tokyo's Ajinomoto Stadium — the venue for the opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup — having never beaten New ...
Toshiba Corp. is considering selling its famed rugby team after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as part of business streamlining, company sources said Thursday. The electronics manufacturer sponsors the Brave Lupus, a five-time Japan Rugby Top League champion whose players include Japan captain ...
Sunwolves optimistic despite tough season
The Sunwolves entered their third season in Super Rugby with a lofty goal of finishing in the top five in the standings. However, the team had a league-worst 3-13 record in the 2018 campaign. Nonetheless, the players insisted that it was a meaningful season that would ...
Sunwolves stand-in head coach Tony Brown made five changes and two positional switches Wednesday as his side gets set for its final Super Rugby game of the 2018 season when it takes take on the Reds on Friday at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. "We want to ...
Sunwolves' stand-in coach Tony Brown calls on some marquee players for Waratahs clash
Sunwolves stand-in head coach Tony Brown recalled some big guns Thursday for the Super Rugby clash with the Waratahs at Sydney's Allianz Stadium on Saturday. Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno and Yutaka Nagare return to the side as they look to pick up their first-ever win ...
Japan captain Michael Leitch said Friday the Brave Blossoms would need to match Georgia's physicality if they are to come away from their final test of the season with a win. "We will always play our fast game but defensively we have to match them. ...
Italy holds off Brave Blossoms
Japan fell just short of a second straight win over Italy despite a furious second-half fightback on Saturday in a 25-22 defeat to the Azzurri in the first rugby test match ever to be played in Kobe. Italy began the match looking for revenge after ...
