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I’m excited to work with world-class Libbok – Will Genia
Wallabies legend Will Genia is relishing working with Springboks star Manie Libbok as he makes the transition into coaching alongside his long-time teammate Quade Cooper at division two side Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.  Genia, who announced his retirement in August, and his ex-half-back partner Quade Cooper, both, 37, rejoined the promotion-chasing Liners as coaches in July after six seasons playing for the Osaka-based club.  Papua New Guinea-born Genia is working as a skills

Mark Pickering
3 days ago3 min read


Wallaby Lolesio joins second tier Shuttles - could debut v Libbok
Wallabies star Noah Lolesio has joined second division Japanese side Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi and could make his debut against Springboks star Manie Libbok in round one in December. Brumbies fly-half Lolesio, who RugbyJP.com reported was poised to join the Shuttles back in April, was overlooked for the 2023 World Cup by Eddie Jones but established himself as the Wallabies first-choice fly-half under Joe Schmidt. The 25-year-old Auckland native suffered a neck injury

Mark Pickering
5 days ago2 min read


5 facts about Japan vice-captain Dylan Riley
Japan star Dylan Riley, 28, has been named as vice-captain for Saturday’s clash against the Wallabies at the National Stadium in Tokyo. The Saitama Wild Knights outside-centre will earn his 34 th  cap for the Brave Blossoms in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup encounter which is expected to attract over 45,000 fans. Riley in action against Wales - © JRFU 1. Born in Durban, South Africa  Riley was born in Durban on the east coast of South Africa in 1997. South African fans proud

Mark Pickering
Oct 242 min read


I enjoy beating Australia – Eddie Jones
Japan head coach Eddie Jones has lauded his record against Australia as he prepares to face his former employers for the first time since presiding over the Wallabies’ first group stage exit at the World Cup in 2023. Pacific Nations Cup runners-up Japan host Joe Schmidt’s resurgent side on Saturday at the National Stadium in Tokyo ahead of the Autumn Nations Series in November. The build-up has been dominated by Jones being reunited with the two-time World Cup winners who he

Mark Pickering
Oct 243 min read


Q&A with Reds GM Sam Cordingley
Japan hosts the Wallabies on Saturday at the National Stadium in Tokyo while former League One champions Saitama Wild Knights face Super Rugby outfit Queensland Reds in Australia.  RugbyJP.com had opportunity to speak to Queensland Reds’ General Manager (High Performance) Sam Cordingley (below) - a former Grenoble, Reds and Wallabies scrum-half-ahead of a momentous weekend for Japanese-Australian rugby relations. RugbyJP.com (RJP) : Were you surprised to see Saitama's head

Mark Pickering
Oct 224 min read


Wallabies legend Will Genia announces his retirement
Wallabies legend and former Hanazono Kintetsu Liners star Will Genia has announced his retirement at the age of 37. Genia and his...

Mark Pickering
Aug 212 min read


Genia and Cooper to make coaching bow against Mo’unga’s champions
Former Wallabies stars Will Genia and Quade Cooper will make their coaching bow for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners against Richie Mo’unga’s...

Mark Pickering
Aug 82 min read


Toutai Kefu takes new head coach role after leading First Nations and Pasifika
Former Wallabies star and ex-Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu has been appointed as the new head coach at division two side...

Mark Pickering
Jul 292 min read


Wallabies greats Will Genia and Quade Cooper return to Kintetsu Liners as coaches
Hanazono Kintetsu Liners’ former superstar half-back pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper have rejoined the division two side as...

Mark Pickering
Jul 292 min read


Yokohama’s Faf de Klerk left out of Boks squad
Yokohama Canon Eagles’ double World Cup-winning scrum-half Faf de Klerk has been overlooked for South Africa’s 37-man squad for the first...

Mark Pickering
Jul 232 min read


Japan XV to host Australia A in October
The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) and Rugby Australia today announced that a fixture between Australia A and a Japan XV side will...

Mark Pickering
Jun 272 min read


Pollock is such an exciting player – Samu Kerevi
Urayasu D-Rocks centre Samu Kerevi has put his hand up for selection for the Wallabies this summer after a fine season in Japan and is...

Mark Pickering
Jun 152 min read


Kintetsu Liners’ Kefu to lead First Nations & Pasifika XV v Lions
Kintetsu Liners’ forwards coach and World Cup-winning Wallabies legend Toutai Kefu will coach the First Nations and Pasifika XV...

Mark Pickering
May 202 min read


Kurt-Lee Arendse among 20 players leaving Dynaboars
Glenn Delaney’s Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars announced their outgoing players after concluding their season with an away...

Mark Pickering
May 91 min read


RugbyJP.com Gossip Column
Welcome to the latest edition of RugbyJP.com ’s Gossip Column as we round-up all the latest news, transfer rumours, departures and...

Mark Pickering
Apr 162 min read


League One stars as viral toy figures
RugbyJP transformed four League One stars into toy figures in the latest online AI trend. These images were created using AI. Which one...

Mark Pickering
Apr 101 min read


EXCLUSIVE - Kerevi eyes Lions series in Australia
Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi has held his hand up for selection for the Wallabies’ series against the British and Irish Lions this...

Mark Pickering
Mar 182 min read


Japan-based ANZAC XV to face British & Irish Lions
RugbyJP has picked a Japan-based ANZAC XV to face the British and Irish Lions in Australia this summer. The trans-Tasman team will be...

Mark Pickering
Feb 281 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


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
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