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Rookie hooker, 22, to make first Japan Test start against the Boks
Saitama Wild Knights youngster Kenji Sato will make his first Test start for Japan against back-to-back world champions South Africa at London’s Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Sato, 22, won just his fifth cap for the Brave Blossoms in the narrow defeat to the Wallabies in Tokyo after coming off the bench in all four of his country’s Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) games. Japan’s first-choice hooker Mamoru Harada, who was initially announced as a co-captain for the PNC campaign along

Mark Pickering
Oct 29, 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


Japan ace Naikabula’s sister makes mark for Fiji at World Cup
Fijiana starlet Josifini Neihamu has made her mark for her country at the World Cup and has followed in her brothers' footsteps by...

Mark Pickering
Aug 31, 20253 min read


Canada’s Parry on Japan and his World Cup dreams
Ebbw Vale flanker Sion Parry starts for Canada against Japan in the Pacific Nations Cup clash today as he closes in on realising his...

Mark Pickering
Aug 30, 20252 min read


Eddie Jones: Leitch Backed Dearns for Captaincy
Japan head coach Eddie Jones has revealed that Brave Blossoms great Michael Leitch nominated history-making Warner Dearns to captain his...

Mark Pickering
Aug 29, 20252 min read


Don’t Follow My Path - Hendrik Tui Warns Young Players
Former Brave Blossoms star Hendrik Tui has issued a stark warning to young foreign players who are keen to follow his path by moving to...

Mark Pickering
Aug 27, 20253 min read


Japan confirms Springboks game at Wembley on 1 November
The Japan Rugby Football Union has confirmed a long-rumoured Test match against back-to-back world champions South Africa at London’s...

Mark Pickering
Aug 20, 20252 min read


EXCLUSIVE - Eddie Jones on Louis Rees-Zammit's return to rugby
Japan head coach Eddie Jones believes returning Welsh star Louis Rees-Zammit will quickly rediscover his best form on the Test match...

Mark Pickering
Aug 14, 20253 min read


Ex-Japan star Amanaki Mafi joins Newcastle Falcons
Former Japan star and free agent Amanaki Mafi has joined English Gallagher Prem side Newcastle Falcons on a one-year deal. Tonga-born...

Mark Pickering
Aug 8, 20252 min read


Wales unveils Steve Tandy as new head coach
The Welsh Rugby Union has named Scotland’s defence coach and ex-Ospreys head coach Steve Tandy as their new head coach. Tandy, who worked...

Mark Pickering
Jul 21, 20252 min read


Antoine Dupont reunites with Naoto Saito at Osaka's World Expo
France captain Antoine Dupont was reunited with his Toulouse teammate Naoto Saito at the World Expo in Osaka on Monday. The injured Paris...

Mark Pickering
Jul 15, 20252 min read


Wales hold firm to beat Japan and end 18-game losing streak
Wales fought their way to a gutsy 31-22 win over Japan to end a two-year, 18-game game losing streak in Kobe on Saturday. The downbeat...

Mark Pickering
Jul 14, 20254 min read


Jones and Leitch eye history in Japan’s second Test against Wales
Japan head coach Eddie Jones came into the home Lipovitan D Challenge Cup series against Wales under-pressure and in need making a...

Mark Pickering
Jul 11, 20254 min read


Wales fans urge clubs to swoop for Japanese free agent
Wales fans have urged their club sides to approach Japanese international Shuhei Takeuchi who is a free agent after leaving League One...

Mark Pickering
Jul 11, 20252 min read


Japan fightback condemns Wales to 18th loss in a row
Eddie Jones’ Japan produced a stirring second-half comeback to defeat Wales 24-19 as the visitors wilted in the Kitakyushu heat....

Mark Pickering
Jul 5, 20253 min read


Japan to unleash ‘new Kolbe’ against Wales
Japan will hand a debut to Yokohama Canon Eagles wing Kippei Ishida against Wales on Saturday after head coach Eddie Jones...

Mark Pickering
Jul 4, 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


Sam Greene has adapted well – Neal Hatley
Japan XV acting head coach Neal Hatley has highlighted the need for Japan to build depth at fly-half and praised the work of newcomer Sam...

Mark Pickering
Jun 26, 20252 min read
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