Rugby Jul 4, 2021
Brave Blossoms fail to exploit their chances in loss to Ireland
After an evenly matched and entertaining first half in Dublin, repeated penalties by Japan allowed Ireland to earn revenge for their 2019 Rugby World Cup defeat.
Rugby Sep 15, 2019
Brave Blossoms insist loss to Springboks was great preparation for RWC
Japan will head into the Rugby World Cup on the back of a big loss to South Africa, but the Brave Blossoms insisted Sunday that their 41-7 Sept. 6 defeat was the ideal way to prepare for the journey ahead. "The media may have had ...
Rugby Jul 28, 2019
Japan showing off new tricks ahead of World Cup
by Rich Freeman
The tone for Japan's win over Fiji on Saturday was set as early as the third minute when match captain Pieter "Lappies" Labuschagne overruled the wishes of Yu Tamura and told his flyhalf to take the points on offer rather than kick for the ...
Rugby Sep 1, 2018
The Top League season kicked off Friday night with Canon beating Toshiba 26-20 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, the Eagles' first win over the Brave Lupus in six attempts. Eleven points from the boot of Japan flyhalf Yu Tamura, including a drop goal 12 ...
Rugby Apr 14, 2018
by Andrew McKirdy
The Sunwolves let an early lead slip through their fingers to remain winless after seven games of the Super Rugby season after a 24-10 defeat to New Zealand's Blues on Saturday. The Sunwolves took control of the game at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground — ...
More Sports / Rugby Nov 26, 2017
Japan came within inches of a historic win over France on Saturday night as the Brave Blossoms drew 23-23 with Les Bleus at the brand new U Arena. A try by replacement prop Asaeli Ai Valu eight minutes from time gave Yu Tamura the chance ...
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 May 17, 2017
Sunwolves stay positive despite steep learning curve
by Andrew McKirdy
The Sunwolves may have won only one game out of 10 so far this season, but Japan's Super Rugby team is confident that its efforts will pay off somewhere down the line. "For us it's about focusing on the process rather than just results," second-row ...
More Sports / Rugby Apr 8, 2017
Sunwolves rally for first victory of Super Rugby season
by Andrew McKirdy
Yu Tamura landed a penalty with five minutes remaining as the Sunwolves came from behind to beat the Bulls 21-20 on Saturday to claim their first win of the Super Rugby season. The Sunwolves, who went into the match at Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground having ...
More Sports / Rugby Nov 5, 2016
Brave Blossoms upbeat about opportunity to improve, grow as a unit
by Kaz Nagatsuka
Despite a lopsided 54-20 loss to Argentina on Saturday afternoon, Japanese players held their heads up high at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground because they know that they can only improve by working more together in practices and games moving forward. "We are disappointed with ...
More Sports / Rugby Jul 2, 2016
The Waratahs hammered the Sunwolves 57-12 on Saturday in Mark Hammett's final game as coach in Japan and the Tokyo team's last home game of the season. Playing the same dazzling 15-man rugby that saw it put the Chiefs to the sword before the June ...
More Sports / Rugby Jun 12, 2016
Japan lived up to its nickname Saturday as it beat its oldest international opponent, Canada, 26-22 at test rugby's newest venue, BC Place. The Brave Blossoms were forced to play for 26 minutes with 14 men after Yoshiya Hosoda marked his international debut with a ...