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I want to play in the 2027 World Cup – Samu Kerevi
Urayasu D-Rocks' star centre Samu Kerevi is aiming for a Wallabies recall in 2026 as he aims to represent Australia at a third successive World Cup in 2027. Kerevi, 32, last played for his country in November 2024 against Wales in the Autumn Nations Tour and was shown 20-minute a red card for a dangerous tackle on Jac Morgan. Despite impressing last season for basement outfit Urayasu with 14 tries in 16 appearances and beating 76 defenders (third highest in the league), t he

Mark Pickering
Dec 13, 20253 min read


Carter, Mo’unga, Cooper, Libbok: Meet the S&C guru behind rugby’s elite No.10s
Dan Carter’s discipline. Richie Mo’unga’s energy. Quade Cooper’s edge. Kintetsu Liners’ head strength and conditioning coach Takeshi Sakaguchi has trained elite number 10’s and he’s just started working with Springboks Manie Libbok. In this exclusive RugbyJP.com interview, Sakaguchi explains how Japanese rugby is evolving and why consistency, detail and mindset define world-class players. Sakaguchi has established himself as a go-to authority on strength and conditioning i

Mark Pickering
Dec 5, 20257 min read


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
Nov 2, 20253 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
Oct 31, 20252 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 24, 20252 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 24, 20253 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 22, 20254 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 21, 20252 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 8, 20252 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 29, 20252 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 29, 20252 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 23, 20252 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 27, 20252 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 15, 20252 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 20, 20252 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 9, 20251 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 16, 20252 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 10, 20251 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 18, 20252 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 28, 20251 min read
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