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All Blacks legend Ma'a Nonu, 42, rejoins Toulon
Double World Cup winner Ma'a Nonu has made a stunning return to France’s Top 14 giants Toulon. The All Blacks legend, who turns 43 in...

Mark Pickering
Feb 251 min read


UPDATED - Asia Rugby suspends JRFU Executive Director
Asia Rugby , the governing body of rugby union in Asia, has suspended its Vice President and Japan Rugby Football Union’s Executive...

Mark Pickering
Feb 251 min read


Shizuoka’s South African starlet undergoes surgery
Shizuoka Blue Revs starlet Damian Markus has undergone surgery and will miss the rest of the League One season. Markus, 21, whose wonder...

Mark Pickering
Feb 251 min read


Champions Toshiba pip Black Rams 45-44 in thriller
League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus produced a professional display to defeat a spirited Black Rams Tokyo side 45-44 in a pulsating...

Mark Pickering
Feb 224 min read


4 Things to Look Out for in Round Nine
1. Michael Hooper returns for Toyota Verblitz Ex-Australia captain Michael Hooper returns to top-flight 15-a-side action for the first...

Mark Pickering
Feb 214 min read


Michael Hooper - I'll bring energy and enjoyment to Toyota
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will make his League One return for Toyota Verblitz on Saturday after being named in their...

Mark Pickering
Feb 212 min read


Brendan Owen – League One level is high
South African full-back Brendan Owen shone for Yokohama Canon Eagles on his League One debut against unbeaten leaders Saitama Wild...

Mark Pickering
Feb 192 min read


Tonga Rugby Union to open talks with Richie Mo’unga
Tonga Rugby Union is set to approach Toshiba Brave Lupus fly-half Richie Mo’unga over switching allegiances from New Zealand to represent...

Mark Pickering
Feb 182 min read


Mo’unga and Frizell’s Toshiba edge past Cane’s Suntory
League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus outfought Suntory Sungoliath to win the Fuchu derby at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Saturday....

Mark Pickering
Feb 154 min read


Sam Cane - I have a lot to contribute at Suntory
Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane is set to return to action for Suntory Sungoliath in Saturday’s Fuchu derby against champions Toshiba...

Mark Pickering
Feb 142 min read


Player of The Match winners
RugbyJP presents the Player of The Match winners from the weekend (1 and 2 February) in every League One game. Division 1 Division 2...

Mark Pickering
Feb 51 min read


Q&A with Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix’s Iroha Kishimoto
RugbyJP spoke to Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix tighthead prop Iroha Kishimoto ahead of the 11th National Women's Rugby Football Championship Final...

Mark Pickering
Feb 22 min read


EXCLUSIVE - Pieter-Steph du Toit deregistered by Toyota Verblitz
World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has been deregistered by Toyota Verblitz after undergoing shoulder surgery in South...

Mark Pickering
Jan 282 min read


Injury update on Pieter-Steph du Toit
World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has undergone shoulder surgery in South Africa and will be sidelined until at least...

Mark Pickering
Jan 222 min read


Richie Mo’unga to see out Toshiba contract until 2026
League One champion and Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner Richie Mo’unga will see out his existing Toshiba Brave Lupus contract after...

Mark Pickering
Jan 222 min read


VIDEO - Best of Digby Ioane
Ex-Wallabies star Digby Ioane spent two seasons at Panasonic Wild Knights from 2017-2019. Watch the best highlights below from his spell...

Mark Pickering
Jan 221 min read


No Cross-Border series in 2025
The Cross-Border Rugby series between League One and Super Rugby sides will not be held in 2025. While the decision was made and...

Mark Pickering
Jan 92 min read


Aaron Smith sees Joseph Manu as a future All Black
World Cup-winning scrum-half Aaron Smith believes that his new Toyota Verblitz teammate Joseph Manu is an All Black in the making....

Mark Pickering
Jan 92 min read


RugbyJP picks a veteran JRLO XV
Could this team of veteran players be competitive in Japan Rugby League One? What do you think of the team? Let us know on social media...

Mark Pickering
Jan 81 min read


Smith’s Shizuoka outlast Dynaboars to maintain unbeaten start
Kwagga Smith’s Shizuoka Blue Revs maintained their perfect start to the new season by outlasting Kurt-Lee Arendse’s Mitsubishi Heavy...

Mark Pickering
Jan 63 min read
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