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Super Rugby final standout named in Māori All Blacks squad
Crusaders’ match-winning fly-half Rivez Reihana has been named in a 29-strong Māori All Blacks squad today ahead of their match against a...

Mark Pickering
Jun 242 min read


Gary Gold set to be appointed as Japan’s defence coach
Former Kobe Steelers head coach Gary Gold is set to be appointed as Japan’s new defence coach. The South African led Kobe to the top of...

Mark Pickering
Jun 201 min read


I’ll put my body on the line – Lomano Lemeki
Honda Heat star Lomano Lemeki is prepared to put his body on the line and lead by example in the second leg of their relegation/promotion...

Mark Pickering
May 292 min read


RugbyJP's Wales team to play Japan
RugbyJP.com has picked its starting Wales team to play Japan in the first Test on 5 July following interim head coach Matt Sherratt's...

Mark Pickering
May 211 min read


Ex-Kubota star Liam Williams set to be a free agent
Former Kubota Spears full-back Liam Williams will be a free agent this summer after his short-term contract with Saracens expires. The...

Mark Pickering
May 151 min read


Japan World Cup star Lemeki laments player re-classification
Honda Heat star Lomano Lemeki has lamented Japan Rugby League One’s re-classification of foreign-born Japan internationals. Lemeki, 36,...

Mark Pickering
May 152 min read


EXCLUSIVE – Liam Williams set to miss Wales’ tour to Japan
Former Kubota Spears full-back Liam Williams will miss Wales’ two-match tour to Japan this summer, RugbyJP.com can reveal. Williams, 34,...

Mark Pickering
May 12 min read


EXCLUSIVE – Lomano Lemeki suffers broken jaw
Mie Honda Heat star Lomano Lemeki suffered a broken jaw after starring on his return against Urayasu D-Rocks on Saturday. Evergreen Japan...

Mark Pickering
Mar 252 min read


Japan’s defence coach joins Leicester Tigers
Japan national team’s defence coach David Kidwell has joined Michael Cheika’s Leicester Tigers on a secondment until the end of the...

Mark Pickering
Feb 272 min read


Japan XV of newly-qualified players
The upcoming fourth season of League One will see a host of foreign-born players qualify to play for Japan. RugbyJP has selected a 'Japan...

Mark Pickering
Dec 6, 20241 min read


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Black Rams star Isaac Lucas
Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo fly-half Isaac Lucas spoke to RugbyJP.com following the Komazawa side’s impressive 59 – 22 victory over Toshiba...

Mark Pickering
Nov 28, 20245 min read


Japan Olympian turned referee Ano Kuwai to officiate in League One
Japan’s history-making Rio 2016 sevens Olympian Ano Kuwai has been selected to referee in League One for the first time. Hokkaido native...

Mark Pickering
Nov 21, 20242 min read


VIDEO - Best of Lui Naeata in Japan
Tongan number eight Lui Naeata starred in Japan for Kobe, Red Hurricanes and Toyota Shuttles. The Japan-qualified 30-year-old has joined...

Mark Pickering
Nov 14, 20241 min read


Guide to the Japan team to play New Zealand
RugbyJP has profiled the 15 players Eddie Jones has selected to play the All Blacks at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama on Saturday. 1. Takato...

Mark Pickering
Oct 25, 202410 min read


VIDEO - Best of Isaac Lucas in Japan
Australian fly-half Isaac Lucas, 25, has been a key player for Black Rams Tokyo since joining in 2021 and is close to qualifying to play...

Mark Pickering
Oct 23, 20241 min read


Suntory paid Eddie Jones’ salary during his first Brave Blossoms tenure
League One club Suntory Sungoliath paid Eddie Jones’ salary during his first reign in charge of the Brave Blossoms, RugbyJP can...

Mark Pickering
Oct 22, 20242 min read


Mo'unga and Frizell will not attend Japan v New Zealand
Toshiba Brave Lupus stars Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell will not be attending Japan’s Test match against New Zealand in Yokohama...

Mark Pickering
Oct 20, 20241 min read


Japan v New Zealand to feature League One Festival
Japan Rugby has announced that a League One Festival will be held ahead of the Brave Blossoms’ bumper Test match against the All Blacks...

Mark Pickering
Oct 17, 20241 min read


15 facts about Japan and Toshiba captain Michael Leitch
Japan great Michael Leitch celebrated his 36th birthday on Monday. RugbyJP presents 15 of the most interesting facts about the evergreen...

Mark Pickering
Oct 8, 20246 min read


VIDEO - Every Viliame Takayawa try in L1 2023-24
Yokohama Canon Eagles wing Viliame Takayawa scored 12 tries last season in League One. Fiji-born Takayawa, 27, qualifies for Japan on...

Mark Pickering
Sep 29, 20241 min read
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