RiJ Vol

RiJ Vol.6 No.40

November 3, 2009

Contact Ian McDonnell at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp

Contents:

¡ Nissui Tokyo 2009 Bledisloe Cup

s New Zealand 32 d Australia 19

¡ 2009-10 Top League Team Profiles

s (10) Coca-Cola

¡ The Grubber Kick:

s IRB Ranking: 14 (2 November 2009)

s Backchat: Anthony Tuitavake to NEC

s Jaco van der Westhuyzen to Blue Bulls

RiJ brings the reader the results of the Tokyo Bledisloe Cup in which the All Blacks once again exposed the weaknesses in this current Wallabies outfit with a commanding 32-19 win. In a competitive first half the Wallabies took a 16-13 lead into the halftime break, but where it was important to front up in the second half the Australians failed to show, thus allowing the New Zealanders to control the game and put on the points. The game itself was a wonderful promotion for rugby in Japan, but the JRFU now has to pick up the ball and run with it in order to leave a lasting impression. The IRB boss, Bernard Lapasset was also in the crowd as an interested spectator as he ran the ruler over how Japan is starting to put in place its long-term strategy for hosting the 2019 RWC.

Nissui Tokyo 2009 Bledisloe Cup

New Zealand 32 d Australia 19

New Zealand 32 – Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith; Conversions: Dan Carter 2; Penalties: Carter 6 d.

Australia 19 – Try: Peter Hynes; Conversion: Matt Giteau; Penalties: Giteau 4.

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2009.

Venue: The National Stadium, Tokyo.

Kick-off: 5:38 PM (local Japan time).

Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa).

Attendance: 44,449.

Halftime: Australia 16 – New Zealand 13.

Yellow Card: Sitiveni Sivivatu (NZ No.11, dangerous tackle, 33 minute, first half).

Recent Encounters:

Australia and New Zealand have met three times in the 2009 Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup.

New Zealand 33 d Australia 6, 19 September 2009, Wellington, Tri-Nations.

New Zealand 19 d Australia 18, 22 August 2009, Sydney, Tri-Nations.

New Zealand 22 d Australia 16, 18 July 2009, Auckland, Tri-Nations.

New Zealand (IRB rank 2, at 26 October 2009)

	Name	S14	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Tony Woodcock	Blues	28	184/118	59
2	Andrew Hore	Hurricanes	31	183/110	44
3	Neemia Tialata	Hurricanes	27	187/127	38
4	Brad Thorn	Crusaders	34	196/116	34
5	Tom Donnelly	Hurricanes	28	200/113	2
6	Adam Thomson	Highlanders	27	196/108	13
7	Richard McCaw(c)	Crusaders	28	187/106	77
8	Rodney So’oialo	Hurricanes	30	190/107	61
9	Jimmy Cowan	Highlanders	27	182/92	29
10	Daniel Carter	Crusaders	27	179/91	63
11	Sitiveni Sivivatu	Chiefs	27	185/97	40
12	Ma’a Nonu	Hurricanes	27	182/104	43
13	Conrad Smith	Hurricanes	28	186/95	30
14	Cory Jane	Hurricanes	26	183/88	9
15	Mils Muliaina	Chiefs	29	184/92	78

16	Corey Flynn	Crusaders	28	184/106	5
17	John Afoa	Blues	26	183/120	21
18	Jason Eaton	Hurricanes	27	202/111	14
19	Kieran Read	Crusaders	23	193/105	13
20	Brendon Leonard	Chiefs	24	182/91	12
21	Stephen Donald	Chiefs	25	186/96	17
22	Zach Guildford	Hurricanes	20	184/87	0

Head Coach: Graham Henry.

Subs

16 not used.

17 subbed 3, 6 min 2H.

18 subbed 5, 12 min 2H.

19 subbed 8, 12 min 2H.

20 not used.

21 subbed 10, 37 min 2H.

22 not used.

Australia (IRB rank 3, at 26 October 2009)

	Name	S14	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Ben Robinson	Waratahs	25	183/113	27
16	Stephen Moore	Brumbies	26	186/112	42
3	Ben Alexander	Brumbies	24	189/117	14
4	James Horwill	Reds	24	200/115	20
5	Mark Chisholm	Brumbies	28	197/112	44
6	Rocky Elsom (c)	Brumbies	26	197/106	45
7	David Pocock	Western Force	21	181/101	12
8	Wycliff Palu	Waratahs	27	194/120	32
9	Will Genia	Reds	21	182/85	7
10	Matt Giteau	Western Force	27	178/85	74
11	Digby Ioane	Western Force	24	182/95	5
12	Adam Ashley-Cooper	Brumbies	25	182/98	33
13	Ryan Cross	Western Force	30	191/99	16
14	Peter Hynes	Reds	27	180/92	18
15	James O’Connor	Western Force	19	180/80	11

2	Tatafu Polota-Nau	Waratahs	24	181/113	19
17	Matt Dunning	Western Force	30	182/115	43
18	Dean Mumm	Waratahs	25	196/109	16
19	George Smith	Brumbies	29	180/103	106
20	Luke Burgess	Waratahs	26	179/89	19
21	Quade Cooper	Reds	21	186/93	7
22	Drew Mitchell	Western Force	25	182/95	7

Head Coach: Robbie Deans.

Subs

2 subbed 16, 8 min 2H.

17 not used.

18 subbed 5, 8 min 2H.

19 subbed 8, 13 min 2H.

20 not used.

21 not used.

22 not used.

Preview

New Zealand and Australia will meet for the fourth time in 2009 with the All Blacks looking to make a clean sweep of the Wallabies before both sides head off on their respective tours of Europe. Making matters worse, the losing streak for the Wallabies at the hands of their greatest rivals now stands at six, stretching back into last season. Furthermore, this is only the second time the Bledisloe Cup has been played outside of Australia and New Zealand on neutral territory following the successful staging of the Cup in Hong Kong at this time last year, won 19-14 by the All Blacks.

The Australian cause has been made that much harder through injuries, especially in the backs, with centre Stirling Mortlock remaining behind in Australia to receive treatment on a torn calf muscle in order to join the tour in Europe. Meanwhile, further injuries have been incurred since arriving in Japan with centre Rob Horne being forced to quit the tour after he re-injured a troublesome hamstring problem, while of greater concern vice-captain and play maker Berrick Barnes rolled an ankle at training ruling him out of the Tokyo test and possibly the whole tour depending on the extent of the damage. Matt Giteau will now take on the sole role of directing the Australian backs from five-eighth rather than in unison with Barnes. In the absence of Barnes, Adam Ashley-Cooper moves from fullback to inside centre with James O’Connor moving up from the bench to fullback. Quade Cooper also comes onto the bench. The pressure is well and truly on the Australian squad and coach Robbie Deans to get a win in Japan before the Wallabies head off on their first Grand Slam tour of the Home Unions in 25 years.

Graham Henry and his coaching staff have made minimal changes to the team that beat the Wallabies 33-6 in Wellington last month with Rodney So’oialo coming into the No.8 position, Sitiveni Sivivatu returning from injury to the left wing and Conrad Smith taking the outside centre position. Meanwhile, utility back Tamati Ellison came onto the bench as the only uncapped player in either squad but was subsequently ruled out with a calf muscle strain sustained in training. His place is taken by another uncapped played in 20-year-old Zach Guildford whose father passed away while watching his son play in the winning U20 New Zealand side in the Junior World Championship held in Japan this June.

Wrap-up

In a case of recent history repeating itself, Australia let a halftime lead slip only to fade in the second half with a dominant New Zealand side drawing away for a comfortable win. In this particular test played at the National Stadium in Tokyo, the Wallabies held a 16-13 lead at the break but could not stay with the All Blacks once they hit the front early in the second half eventually going down 32-19.

The first half was like a game of chess with both sides looking for strategic advantage where the lead changed several times throughout the forty minutes. Australian five-eighth Matt Giteau made the most of New Zealand indiscretions with two early penalties to open up a handy 6-0 lead, but it was never going to be enough as New Zealand started to work their way into the game. The left boot of five-eight Dan Carter got the All Blacks on the board in the 14^th minute with a penalty to narrow the gap to 6-3 before helping to set up the first try of the match for left wing Sitiveni Sivivatu in the 20^th minute. Carter added the extras and the All Blacks hit the front for the first time with a 10-6 score line. Giteau kept Australia in touch with a penalty in the 29^th minute to make it a one-point ball-game at 10-9, but carter responded in kind not long after to once again extend the lead to 13-9. However, the turning point in the first half came when the try scorer Sivivatu turned from hero to villain when he was sinbinned in the 33^rd minute for tackling an Australian player in the air. The Wallabies tried to press home their one-man advantage with fast, open attacking rugby and were rewarded with a desperate try to wing Peter Hynes in the 34^th minute. The try was not that straightforward though as South African referee Mark Lawrence had to ask Japanese TMO Akihisa Aso to make a ruling as Hynes was bundled across the corner flag in the process of scoring the try. Eventually, Lawrence was given the word to award the try with Giteau then kicking the conversion from the right-hand touchline to put Australia back in front 16-13 with this being the halftime score.

In the second half, not long after the All Blacks were returned to their full complement of 15 men with the return of Sivivatu from the sinbin, outside centre Conrad Smith found the Australian try line to once again push the New Zealand side into the front. Carter then landed the conversion for a 20-16 lead. Giteau missed a shot at penalty not long after that would have closed the difference in a critical part of the game that had the All Blacks grinding down the Australian resistance. As the test got down to the final 20 minutes Carter put the final nails in the Australian coffin with four more penalties in a flawless display of kicking which saw him kick two conversions and six penalties for the match without a miss. Giteau added one lone penalty in the second half, but the wind had well and truly gone out of the Australian sails with the All Blacks taking a 32-19 win with them to Europe as a nice souvenir from their time in Japan. For Australia, the pressure is now increasing day by day as the Wallabies now embark on their first Grand Slam tour of the four Home Unions since 1984.

Top League Profiles 2009-10: (10) Coca-Cola West Red Sparks

http://www.ccwh.co.jp/club/rugby/

Established: Coca-Cola Rugby was established in 1966 and is based in Fukuoka city in Kyushu. In their first season they played in the B League of the Fukuoka company competition. Throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s Coke played in the A and B divisions of the West Japan Company League competition with mixed success. They played in their first National Corporate Championship in 2000 and have made steady progress since. Coca-Cola won promotion to Top League (TL) for the first time in the 2006-7 season and so this is their fourth year in the top competition. The full name for the club is Coca-Cola West Red Sparks. Red is reflective of the company colour overall and also the speed with which Coke play. The spark relates to an electrical spark, but also to the spark as in sparkling Coca-Cola. The slogan for 2009-10 is “ACCELE” [sic].

The Company: beverage maker, have a look at www.ccwh.co.jp/

Titles:

Top League

From 2003-4 to 2005-6 Top League (TL) consisted of 12 teams and the team that finished on top of the table claimed the title. From the 2006-7 season, TL was increased to 14 teams with the top four finishers on the ladder progressing to the Microsoft Cup, the play-off series to determine the overall TL champion.

2008-9: 10^th on 26 points with 6 wins & 7 losses.

2007-8: 9^th on 25 points with 5 wins & 8 losses.

2006-7: 10^th on 21 points with 4 wins & 9 losses.

2005-6: DNP.

2004-5: DNP.

2003-4: DNP.

Microsoft Cup

From 2004 to 2006 the Microsoft Cup (MC) was a separate knock-out tournament for the top 8 finishers in TL. From 2007 the MC has acted as the play-off finals series to determine the overall TL champion with the top four finishers on the TL ladder progressing to the MC.

2009: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2008: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2007: DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2006: DNP.

2005: DNP.

2004: DNP.

National Championship – none.

2009 (46^th NC - 10 teams): DNQ as only top 6 TL teams qualified.

2008 (45^th NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2007 (44^th NC - 8 teams): DNQ as only top 4 TL teams qualified.

2006 (43^rd NC - 8 teams): Qualified as Top Challenger. Beat KGU 12-7 then lost to NEC 69-24.

2005 (42^nd NC - 8 teams): DNQ.

2004 (41^st NC - 22 teams): Qualified as regional team No.6. Beat Teikyo Uni 71-14 then lost to Waseda Uni 32-29.

Corporate Championship – none.

Colours: Red jersey, white shorts and red socks. The alternative jersey is black with red lettering.

Style of Play: Coca-Cola is one of the newer additions to Top League and in their first year they acquitted themselves quite well to finish tenth with 4 wins and 7 losses. In their second season, Coke went one better to finish ninth with the highlight being their 23-22 win over eventual champions Suntory. In their third season, Coke again finished tenth on 26 points with 6 wins and 7 losses.

Former national coach, Shogo Mukai (Japan coach at the 2003 RWC), now in his sixth year with the club is looking at competition for places in the 2009-10 season. In particular, the competition for five-eight should be keenly contested by Soshi Fuchigami, Tetsuya Fukuda, Wataru Yoshihara and new acquisition Shaun Webb. Mukai also wants his backs to be able to play in multiple positions with the likes of Webb playing at five-eighth or fullback.

Coca-Cola are growing as a team and continue to improve and with Shaun Webb and No8 Masakazu Toyota joining the mix this season the Red Sparks will be looking to further climb the table. New Zealand born Webb now has 14 caps for Japan and he links up with Coca-Cola from World. Toyoda was the captain at Waseda University last season and he earned five caps for Japan over the spring before fully integrating into the Coca-Cola fold.

Coca-Cola may not be capable of a top four finish this year but over time should they be able to attract quality local and overseas talent to the club than anything is possible for this Kyushu based side.

Players to Watch: Without a doubt, one of the key players at Coca-Cola this season will be New Zealand born Shaun Webb. Webb came to Japan as a 23-year-old for the 2005-6 season where he spent two seasons with Kobe before moving across town to play with World for a further two seasons. During his time at World, Webb caught the eye of national head coach John Kirwan and he eventually made his debut for Japan against the Arabian Gulf at the Hanazono ground in Osaka in May 2008 in the inaugural Asian Five Nations tournament. Webb came on from the bench for James Arlidge at five-eight for the final 20 minutes of that test and scored two tries in the 114-6 win. At the completion of the 2009 spring tests, Webb has played 14 tests for Japan, alternating between five-eight and fullback. Webb is a dynamic ball runner and goal kicker much in the vein of Dan Carter which is not surprising as both attended Christchurch Boys’ High School. Now in his fifth season in Japan and playing with his third club, the versatile Webb brings much experience and dynamism to Coca-Cola this season. Webb is still only 27-years-old and he is set to be a key player for Japan at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in his native New Zealand.

Central to wins for Coca-Cola over recent seasons has been former Japan five-eight Soshi Fuchigami with his game control. Outside him, Brett Stapleton and former rugby league player Lelea Paea are now in their second seasons with Coke while the Tsuiki brothers Masahiro and Yasuhiro are also good at getting across the try line. At centre, NZ-born centre Brendan Neilson, who has taken out Japanese citizenship, is an important part of the midfield. Tetsuya Ikeda is also another key person who can slot into the five-eighth or centre positions.

While in the forwards, players to watch this season are captain and lock Hidetoshi Mine, No8 Tomohiro Yamaguchi and Bay of Plenty import Wayne Ormond in the back row. Prop Tatsukichi Nishiura brings international experience to the front row while Yusaku Kuwazuru has represented Japan at Sevens. Kuwazuru plays lock or in the backrow and at 188cms and 90kgs adds strength and mobility to the pack. There are also high expectations on Masakazu Toyota in his first season of senior rugby after making his debut for Japan this spring.

Cap holders for Japan in the current squad: (4)

Over the course of the 2009 Asian Five Nations series and the 2009 Pacific Nations Cup, backrower Masakazu Toyota and five-eighth or fullback Shaun Webb both took part in the two series. Toyota made his debut against Singapore from the bench and again saw game time from the bench against Samoa and the Junior All Blacks. He made his run on debut as blindside flanker against Tonga and kept the same starting position for the test against Fiji. Webb started as five-eight in three of the earlier tests and then played at fullback for the final two tests when James Arlidge became available at five-eight.

In the two home tests against the USA in November 2008, Coca-Cola were not represented. Shaun Webb started both tests at five-eighth but he was still registered with World at the time.

Coke were represented by loosehead prop Tatsukichi Nishiura in the inaugural Asian Five Nations (A5N) tournament in 2008, and the 2008 edition of the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).

At the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, Coca-Cola were represented by loosehead prop Tatsukichi Nishiura.

Tatsukichi Nishiura 33 y/o, 17 caps at loose head prop.

Shaun Webb 27 y/o, 14 caps at five-eighth and fullback.

Soshi Fuchigami 32 y/o, 5 caps at five-eighth in 2000.

Masakazu Toyota 23 y/o, 5 caps in the backrow.

The Coach: Shogo Mukai (47) is now in his sixth year as the head coach at Coke for the 2009-10 season. Before his present coaching role with Coke he was head coach of Japan (2001-03) including the 2003 RWC in Australia. Failure to notch up a win in Australia meant he was forced to step aside with Mitsutake Hagimoto taking over the job. Prior to the national job he coached at his old club Toshiba (1994-99), taking out the National Championship in 1996, 1997 and 1998. Mukai was born in Ehime prefecture before going to Nitta High School and then Tokai University before joining Toshiba. He represented Japan 13 times as a fullback between 1985 and 1988, including the first RWC in 1987. At that tournament he was run on fullback against USA in Brisbane and also against Australia in Sydney, with David Campese his opposite number.

The Captain: Lock Hidetoshi Mine is the new captain at Coca-Cola for the 2009-10 season. Mine attended Saga Technical High School before going to Kanto Gakuin University. He has represented Japan at High School, U19 and U23 levels and at 25 years of age he also represents the future of rugby at the club. Mine is in his fourth season with Coca-Cola. Vice-captain for the 2009-10 season is five-eighth/centre Tetsuya Fukuda (26). Flanker Tomohiro Yamaguchi was the captain over the previous three seasons. Yamaguchi also went to Saga Technical High School and Kanto Gakuin University.

Losses: (9)

Koichi NAKANISHI, 31 y/o, prop, 174/98. Into the company workforce after 9 years with club.

Ryuichiro YANAGI, 35 y/o, lock, 187/100. Into the company workforce after 11 years with club.

Takeshi MATSUMOTO, 26 y/o, lock, 186/98. To KGU as coach after 4 years with club.

Tsuyoshi WATANABE, 28 y/o, lock, 188/95. Into the company workforce after 3 years with club.

Luke ANDREWS (NZ) 33 y/o, lock, 197/108, NZ 7s, NZU, Hurricanes S14, Otago & Wellington NPC. After 2 years with the club.

Takashi KUWAHARA, 29 y/o, flanker, 181/93. Into the company workforce after 7 years with club.

Go KODA, 25 y/o, flanker, 182/91. Into the company workforce after 3 years with club.

Kotaro MORIHARA, 28 y/o, halfback, 168/70. Into the company workforce after 6 years with club.

Shota KANEKO, 28 y/o, wing, 175/78. Into the team staff after 5 years with club.

Gains: (7)

Hirotaka HIRABARA, 22 y/o, prop, 176/117, from Teikyo Univ. He has represented Japan at U19 level.

Uili KOLOOFAI (NZ), 26 y/o, lock, 197/118, ANC Otago.

Hiroyuki FUJIWARA, 22 y/o, lock, 189/93, from Chuo Univ.

Masahiro ARITA, 22 y/o, flanker, 174/90, from Hosei Univ.

Masakazu TOYOTA, 23 y/o, No8, 189/108, from Waseda University where he was captain last season. He has represented Japan at High School, U19 and Sevens levels. Further, he made his debut in the full national side in the spring of 2009 earning a total of 5 caps to date.

Yasuhiro TSUIKI, 22 y/o, halfback, 168/80, from Fukuoka Univ. He is the younger brother of wing Masahiro.

Shaun WEBB (NZ), 27 y/o, five-eighth/fullback, 180/90, from World. He has earned 14 caps for Japan.

Overseas Players & Staff: (7)

Brendan NEILSON (Japan/NZ) 31 y/o, centre, 180/90, 6^th year with club, Japan A, Japan U23s.

Wayne ORMOND (NZ) 32 y/o, lock/flanker, 191/107, 4^th year with club, Maori, Chiefs S12 & Bay of Plenty NPC.

Erone TAKITAKI (Tonga), 24 y/o, flanker/No8, 184/120, 2^nd year, from Saitama IoT.

Lelea PAEA (Tonga), 26 y/o, centre, 183/95, 2^nd year, Sarah Redfern HS. He played with Sydney City and the Gold Coast in the NRL.

Brett STAPLETON (Aus), 22 y/o, wing/fullback, 186/96, 2^nd year, Aus Schools, U19s & 7s, Western Force.

Uili KOLOOFAI (NZ), 26 y/o, lock, 197/118, 1^st year, ANC Otago.

Shaun WEBB (NZ), 27 y/o, five-eighth/fullback, 180/90, 1^st year, from World. He has earned 14 caps for Japan.

The 2009-10 Squad: (46) the list starts with captain and vice-captains and continues through forwards and backs in order from props to fullbacks. All family names come last.

Hidetoshi Mine (c), Tetsuya Fukuda (v-c). Forwards: Tatsukichi Nishiura, Katsunori Yamashita, Ken Matsuo, Kenjiro Abiru, Daisuke Yamashita, Ryo Iwamoto, Yuji Kojima, Hirotaka Hirabara, Kenji Kura, Shintaro Hinokuma, Ryo Goromaru, Wayne Ormond, Wataru Horita, Uili Koloofai, Shuhei Kawashita, Erone Takitaki, Yusaku Kuwazuru, Hiroyuki Fujiwara, Kei Okada, Tomohiro Yamaguchi, Yuki Ishimaru, Akihiro Iwanaga, Masahiro Arita, Shigeki Uemoto, Shohei Okada and Masakazu Toyota. Backs: Keisuke Takeuchi, Takeshi Katsuki, Yasuhiro Tsuiki, Soshi Fuchigami, Shaun Webb, Wataru Yoshihara, Hisatoshi Yamada, Kei Kanto, Brendan Neilson, Shigehisa Tokuzumi, Lelea Paea, Masaru Kanahori, Genki Matsuoka, Masahiro Tsuiki, Taiki Koyanagi, Yamato Eto, Brett Stapleton and Daisuke Haradome. Coach: Shogo Mukai (46).

The Grubber Kick

The Grubber Kick brings the reader weekly news shorts, gossip and general happenings from the world of Rugby in Japan.

IRB ranking on 2 November 2009 - Japan was 14 (68.37).

Backchat: Blues and North Harbour back Anthony Tuitavake (27) has signed a two-year deal with NEC to start after the completion of the 2010 Super 14 season. He has also played six tests for New Zealand.

In other news at NEC, Jaco van der Westhuyzen (32) has signed a deal with the Blue Bulls back in his native South Africa that will take him through till the end of 2012. Jaco is in his sixth season with NEC and although things are not clear yet, he may well continue to play with NEC in the South African off-season as he has previously done during his time in Japan.

The Draw

The Draw gives the reader future dates for the diary and other great things to look forward to in Rugby in Japan.

Canada Tour to Japan 2009

On 6 July 2009 the Japan Rugby Football Union announced that Canada would tour Japan for two test matches in November 2009. The tour is to be known as the Lipovitan D Challenge 2009 with Taisho Pharmaceuticals the official sponsor. Meanwhile, Canterbury of New Zealand Japan and Coca-Cola West are the official suppliers for the series. The first test will be played at the Yurtec Stadium in Sendai City in north-eastern Japan, while the second test will be held in Tokyo.

First Test: Japan v Canada, Sunday, 15 November 2009, kick-off at 2:00 PM, Yurtec Stadium, Sendai.

Second Test: Japan v Canada, Saturday, 21 November 2009, kick-off at 2:00 PM, Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo.

In July 2009 the Emperor and Empress of Japan toured Canada to mark the 80^th anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1929. Canada and Japan also have deep rugby links with the inaugural tour by the Japan national side taking place to Canada in 1930. Japan played their first official test on that tour, a 3-all draw against British Columbia in Vancouver on September 24. Canada reciprocated in 1932 as the first country to visit Japan on a full test match tour. Japan beat Canada in the two tests played, winning 9-8 at the Hanazono Ground in Osaka on January 31 and then winning 38-5 at the Meiji Jingu Stadium in Tokyo on February 11.

Previous Encounters:

Japan and Canada or British Columbia have met on 24 previous occasions with Japan winning 11, Canada/British Columbia 9 and there have been three draws.

Japan 12 drew with Canada 12, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, Bordeaux, 6^th RWC. (Test No.230)

Canada 15 d Japan 10, 29 May 2005, Chichibu, Tokyo, Super Cup final. (Test No.205)

Japan 34 d Canada 21, 30 May 2004, Chichibu, Tokyo, Super Powers Cup final. (Test No.195)

Japan 39 d Canada 7, 8 July 2001, Chichibu, Tokyo, 6^th PRC, play-off for 3^rd. (Test No.174)

Canada 62 d Japan 18, 15 July 2000, Toronto, 5^th PRC. (Test No.167)

Japan 23 d Canada 21, 1 May 1999, Chichibu, Tokyo, 4^th PRC. (Test No.153)

Canada 34 d Japan 25, 20 June 1998, Vancouver, 3^rd PRC. (Test No.147)

Canada 30 d Japan 22, 3 May 1998, Chichibu, Tokyo, 3^rd PRC. (Test No.142)

Canada 42 d Japan 18, 14 June 1997, Vancouver, 2^nd PRC. (Test No.140)

Japan 32 d Canada 31, 18 May 1997, Chichibu, Tokyo, 2^nd PRC. (Test No.137)

Canada 51 d Japan 30, 13 July 1996, Vancouver, 1^st PRC. (Test No.134)

Canada 45 d Japan 18, 9 June 1996, Chichibu, Tokyo, 1^st Pacific Rim Championship (PRC). (Test No.131)

Canada 49 d Japan 26, 11 May 1991, Vancouver. (Test No.110)

Japan 26 d Canada 21, 7 June 1986, Vancouver. (Test No.89)

Japan 16 d Canada 6, 18 April 1982, Chichibu, Tokyo. (Test No.72)

Japan 24 d Canada 18, 11 April 1982, Hanazono, Osaka. (Test No.71)

British Columbia 38 d Japan 7, 12 May 1976, Vancouver. (Test No.51)

Japan 32 d British Columbia 3, 22 March 1970, Chichibu, Tokyo. (Test No.31)

Japan 33 d British Columbia 6, 13 April 1963, Vancouver. (Test No.22)

Japan 11 drew with Canada (British Columbia) 11, 22 March 1959, Chichibu, Tokyo. (Test No.19)

Canada (British Columbia) 21 d Japan 17, 15 March 1959, Hanazono, Osaka. (Test No.18)

Japan 38 d Canada 5, 11 February 1932, Meiji Jingu, Tokyo. (Test No.3)

Japan 9 d Canada 8, 31 January 1932, Hanazono, Osaka. (Test No.2)

Japan 3 drew with British Columbia 3, 24 September 1930, Vancouver. (Test No.1)

Sevens

The East Asia Championship is to be held in Hong Kong in December 2009. The IRB is pushing for the abbreviated form of the game to be included in the Summer Olympics programme from 2016 and as part of this there is talk of cancelling the Sevens RWC and moving it into the Olympics with the proviso that players must have the nationality of the country they are representing. The JRFU announced an expanded 40-man Sevens squad on 12 June 2009 under head coach Wataru Murata. There is also the hint of having Sevens as a non-medal demonstration sport at the London Games in 2012 should the sport be officially included for 2016 and beyond.