NEWSWORTHY
Jamie Joseph to step down as Sunwolves coach before Rugby World Cup
Japan coach Jamie Joseph will stand down as head coach of the Sunwolves in the build-up to Rugby World Cup, forcing the Super Rugby side to put a new person in charge for the fourth time in as many years. Speaking at a news conference ...
Brave Blossoms icon Goromaru calls for better promotion of Japanese rugby
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 ...
Intense season awaits Top League
The 2018-19 Top League season kicks off Friday with plenty of changes to the format both on and off the field as the Japan Rugby Football Union looks to do all it can to ensure the Brave Blossoms are at their peak when Japan ...
Japan needs to act now to capitalize on 2015 RWC success
I think there have been some amazing developments and some not-so-amazing developments in Japanese rugby since the 2015 Rugby World Cup. When I look at the young players coming through from university now, their physical development has improved close to 80 percent. Players now are ...
Shining Arcs ban Amanaki Lelei Mafi until assault verdict is reached
Amanaki Lelei Mafi has been banned from team activities by the NTT Communications Shining Arcs until a verdict is made in his assault case, the Japan Top League side revealed Thursday. Mafi is alleged to have assaulted Super Rugby teammate and fellow Tongan Lopeti Timani ...
The Canterbury Crusaders had hardly begun to celebrate their back-to-back Super Rugby titles when they put the spotlight on completing a three-peat next year. The Crusaders were too smart and too clinical for the Golden Lions in Christchurch on Saturday as they won this year's ...
The Crusaders are back in the Super Rugby final seeking a record-extending ninth title. The Lions are back still searching for a first. New Zealand's Crusaders and South Africa's Lions set up a repeat of last year's decider with convincing semifinal wins at home on ...
Outcome of Mafi's assault case may imperil future in Japan
Japanese participation in the 2018 Super Rugby season did not just end before the playoffs even began, it also ended in controversy with three players up before various judiciaries on and off the field. The good news is the on-field controversy could end up with ...
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 ...
Rebels' Amanaki Lelei Mafi released on bail after alleged assault of teammate
Japan international rugby player Amanaki Lelei Mafi was released on bail Monday after appearing in court in Dunedin, New Zealand, charged with assaulting one of his Melbourne Rebels teammates, according to local media. The 28-year-old Mafi was allegedly involved in an altercation with fellow Tongan-born ...
The Sunwolves' 2018 Super Rugby season came to a close in controversy Friday as they lost 48-27 to the Reds at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. For the second week running against Australian opposition, the Sunwolves (3-13) had a player sent from the field just before the ...
Waratahs pulverize Sunwolves, advance to Super Rugby playoffs
The New South Wales Waratahs clinched first place in Super Rugby's Australian Conference in emphatic fashion on Saturday with a 77-25 win over the Sunwolves. The win guaranteed the Waratahs a place in the playoffs beginning in two weeks, while the Sunwolves will finish in ...
