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Rugby
Mar 31, 2005

Asian rugby hoping to build on success of Hong Kong Sevens

While Waisale Serevi and his Fijian team were busy stealing the headlines with their superb performance in winning the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2005 in Hong Kong last week, Asian rugby was showing, both on and off the field, that it could play a huge role in the future development of the game.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 18, 2019

Scoring a try against gender barriers

In the late 1980s, a group of Japanese women came together to form the country's first female rugby club, efforts that have been immortalized in a short film by Mackenzie Sheppard
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
May 2, 2019

JRFU's bewildering plans for Top League reform spark skepticism, opposition

The news that the Japan Rugby Top League is to undergo reform following this year's World Cup should have been met with heraldic fanfare, given the nation's recent entry into the Reiwa Era.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Dec 26, 2018

Cloud of uncertainty hovers over Top League

The New Year is traditionally a time for looking back on the past and looking ahead.
Japan Times
Rugby
Aug 22, 2018

New stadium gives recovering Kamaishi hope for future

Takeshi Nagata looks out over the pitch from the back stand of Kamaishi Unosumai Memorial Stadium and tugs at the collar of his shirt. He retired from playing rugby six years ago, but his body is still in good shape and his formal clothes look uncomfortable stretched over his compact but formidable physique....
Japan Times
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
May 23, 2018

Sunwolves' Hong Kong success could be catalyst for Asian expansion

The Sunwolves' win over the Stormers in Hong Kong last weekend was a big boost for rugby in Asia and justified the efforts of those who have pushed for a Super Rugby presence in the world's most populated continent.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Jan 9, 2016

Michael Leitch: 'If you want something, make a plan, work hard and go get it'

Japan's World Cup rugby captain tells us his secret to making the perfect tackle
Japan Times
OLYMPICS / SPORTS SCOPE
Jul 21, 2015

International Stadium Yokohama should be primary venue for a 2020 'Japan' Olympics

Here we go again.
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Jun 11, 2005

Eyes of rugby world on New Zealand as Lions fans fly in

Even though the final decision as to who will host the 2011 Rugby World Cup will not be made until November, the next few weeks will be crucial for the three countries hoping to host sport's third biggest event.
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Sep 12, 2003

Top League heralds a new era in Japanese rugby

Rugby in Japan looks to enter a new era on Saturday when Suntory takes on Kobe Steel in the first game of the new Top League.
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE EXTRA
Apr 27, 2003

Japan rugby needs to act now before it is too late

For followers of Japanese rugby, the last few weeks have not made for happy reading.
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Aug 16, 2002

Japanese rugby gears up for professionalism

Summer used to be a time for rugby players to either relax or pursue other sporting interests. Between the end of season tour (which generally involved a lot of drinking with a little rugby thrown in) and the start of preseason training in late August there was plenty of opportunity to pursue other interests....
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE EXTRA
Jul 4, 2002

Henry, Horan sing praises of Japanese rugby

The Japan rugby team has, particularly in the last 30 years, had a number of false dawns. The 1970s saw it lose narrowly to England (6-3 in 1971 and 21-19 in 1979); the 1980s saw it lose to Wales 29-24 in 1983 and beat a weakened Scotland team 28-24 in 1989, and in 1999 it beat Samoa 37-34 to win the...
Japan Times
Rugby
Jun 2, 2021

All Blacks players fret over team's fate if Silver Lake buys in

A move by the U.S. private equity firm to purchase a stake of New Zealand Rugby's commercial operations has drawn criticism.
Rugby / ADDING THE EXTRAS
Jul 5, 2019

New JRFU boss Shigetaka Mori faces uphill battle to initiate needed reforms

As a player Shigetaka Mori, the new president of the Japan Rugby Football Union, knew all about success at the domestic level.
SPORTS / SPORTS SCOPE
Feb 21, 2002

'Rainbow Warrior' talks rugby, politics, life

Francois Pienaar is best known as the man who unified a nation.
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 3, 2019

World champion Springboks hope victory will inspire nation

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus expressed hope that his team's victory in the Rugby World Cup final against England on Saturday can inspire his nation, but dismissed the notion that the Springboks were under pressure at the tournament.
New Zealand coach Ian Foster is not concerned about former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen helping Australia prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Aug 24, 2023

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has no issues with Steve Hansen helping Australia

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster insisted Wednesday he had known for a month that predecessor Steve Hansen had agreed to help rival Australia prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has worked to make sure all the Springboks have a voice on the pitch.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 13, 2023

South Africa benefiting from Siya Kolisi's leadership at World Cup

"I think what sets Siya aside from other leaders is how he includes everyone's opinions in the team," center Jesse Kriel explained.
South Africa players huddle ahead of the second half of the team's semifinal game against England in the Rugby World Cup, in Saint-Denis, France, on Saturday.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 27, 2023

Springboks expect 'grind' against All Blacks in World Cup final

South Africa has never lost a World Cup final, winning the 1995, 2007 and 2019 editions.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus ahead of a game against Ireland in Dublin in November 2022
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Nov 6, 2023

Erasmus to coach South Africa at start of new World Cup cycle

After lifting the World Cup as coach four years ago, Erasmus took the reins as South Africa’s director of rugby.
Japan hooker Shota Horie carries the ball in a match against Russia in the pool stage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup
MORE SPORTS
Dec 6, 2023

Dreadlocked Japanese fan favorite Horie to retire from rugby

The 37-year-old hooker, instantly recognizable for his long dreadlocks tied up in bunches, has won 76 caps for Japan and is a crowd favorite.
Australia rugby union coach Eddie Jones poses with Rugby Australia Chairman Hamish McLennan and CEO Andy Marinos after his first news conference since his reappointment, in Sydney on Jan. 31. Jones left the Wallabies in October.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Dec 12, 2023

Australia to have strong Japan ties regardless of Jones: RA boss

Japanese media outlets have reported that Eddie Jones will be confirmed as head coach of the Brave Blossoms in the coming days.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Mar 9, 2024

Wild Knights beat Brave Lupus in blockbuster League One clash

A 4-3 try-scoring advantage and four penalties from playmaker Rikiya Matsuda helped the Wild Knights hand the first loss of the campaign to Brave Lupus.
South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth (back left), flanker Siya Kolisi (left, front) and their teammates celebrate after the Springboks secured the Rugby Championship with a win over Argentina on Saturday in Mbombela, South Africa.
MORE SPORTS
Sep 29, 2024

Kolisi hails record-breaking Etzebeth as Springboks exact revenge

Etzebeth, 32, played the entire 80 minutes in Mbombela as he overtook Victor Matfield and became the most capped Springbok with 128 caps.
Scotland's Richie Gray during a Rugby World Cup 2023 clash against South Africa in Marseille, France, in September 2023.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Oct 15, 2024

Scotland lock Gray signs for Toyota Verblitz

The 35-year-old lock has been capped 79 times for his country and featured on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia in 2013.
Bristol's Ilona Maher (left) takes a selfie with fans after her first match with the team on Jan. 5.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Jan 13, 2025

Ilona Maher shines in first start for Bristol

Her arrival at Bristol has boosted replica shirt sales, while the club's Instagram following has soared from 21,000 to 67,000.
Australia's Michael Hooper during the 2019 World Cup in Oita.
MORE SPORTS / Rugby
Jan 15, 2025

Wallabies great Michael Hooper set for comeback with Japan move

The 33-year-old played the last of his 125 test matches in 2023 before being unceremoniously axed by then-coach Eddie Jones.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan