2017 Sunwolves squad "Rise as one"

[Brigantine]

The Japanese Top League are holding their Semis and Finals (aka All Japan Rugby Football Championship) this weekend and next.

This is two weeks earlier than usual, to give the Sunwolves a little bit of extra preparation time for the Super Rugby season - they have 5 weekends free before Sunwolves-Brumbies on Feb 24. (Except for the 3 or 4 players with a promotion/relegation playoff in late January)

A look at Sunwolves players playing in the Top League:

Out of 29 Sunwolves players:
Only 3 are not in a Top League club or at least a club competing to be in the Top League next season. (2 ex-Highlanders who still play for Otago, and the Georgian hooker)
2 more are in Honda Heat, whose season has already finished. (winners of the 2nd tier league)
1 further player (new centre Michael Little) is in the 3rd placed team in the 2nd tier league, whose season is over except for a promotion playoff in late January

And 23 are in teams playing in the Top League this weekend and next.
- 12 are in the Semifinals, including 8 playing for Panasonic Wild Knights. (including Inagaki, Horie, Tanaka, Fukuoka and Yamada)
- 2 more in the 5th-place playoffs (including Michael Leitch)
- 6 more in the 9th-place playoffs (including Tatekawa and Tamura)
- 3 more in teams competing for inclusion in the Top League for 2018-19 (2 or 3 will also have a relegation playoff match in late January)

New players not in Tigs Man's list: (also included below)
- Prop: Hencus Van Wyk - Munakata Sanix Blues (in the Top League relegation playoffs)
- Centre: Sione Teaupa (3 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears (in the Top League 9th-place playoffs)
- Centre: Michael Little - Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Dynaboars (3rd in the Top Challenge League 2017-18, in promotion playoffs to the Top League)

FORWARDS
Hooker: Shota Horie (55 Caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights (Semifinalists, Champions 5 of the last 10 years)
Hooker: Jaba Bregvadze (49 Caps Georgia) - Toulouse (Top 14)
Prop: Keita Inagaki (18 Caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Prop: Koo Jiwon (2 Caps Japan) - Honda Heat (not in Top League 2017-18, but promoted for 2018-19)
Prop: Asaeli Valu (3 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Prop: Ruan Smith (Brumbies 50+ caps) - Toyota Verblitz (Semifinalists)
Prop: Craig Millar (Highlanders 10 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup)
Prop: Hencus Van Wyk - Munakata Sanix Blues (in the relegation playoffs)
Lock: Sam Wykes - Panasonic Wild Knights
Lock: Grant Hattingh - Kubota Spears (in the 9th-place playoffs)
Lock: Kazuki Himeno (3 caps Japan) - Toyota Verblitz
Lock: Uwe Helu (7 caps Japan) - Yamaha Júbilo (Semifinalists, Champions in 2014-15)
Back Row: Wimpie van der Walt (3 caps Japan) - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes (in the relegation playoffs)
Back Row: Shunsuke Nunomaki (5 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Back Row: Ed Quirk - Canon Eagles (in the 9th-place playoffs)
Back Row: Willie Britz - NTT Shining Arcs (in the 9th-place playoffs)
Back Row: Michael Leitch (53 caps Japan) (Chiefs 30 caps) - Toshiba Brave Lupus (in the 5th-place playoffs)

BACKS
Scrum Half: Fumiaki Tanaka (64 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Fly Half: Yu Tamura (48 caps Japan) - Canon Eagles (in the 9th-place playoffs)
Fly Half: Hayden Parker (Highlanders 30 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup)
Centre: Harumichi Tatekawa (54 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears (in the 9th-place playoffs)
Centre: Timothy Lafaele (8 caps Japan) - Coca-Coca Red Sparks (in the relegation playoffs)
Centre: Sione Teaupa (3 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears (in the 9th-place playoffs)
Centre: Michael Little - Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Dynaboars (not in Top League 2017-18, in promotion playoffs for 2018-19)
Wing: Kenki Fukuoka (24 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Wing: Akihito Yamada (23 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Wing: Lomano Lemeki (5 caps Japan) - Honda Heat (not in Top League 2017-18, but promoted for 2018-19)
Wing: Gerhard van den Heever - Yamaha Júbilo
Full Back: Robbie Robinson - Ricoh Black Rams (in the 5th-place playoffs)

And a look at Japanese internationals who are not also Sunwolves:
(* - in squad 2017, but not confirmed for 2018)

*Hooker: Atsushi Sakate (11) - Panasonic Wild Knights
*Hooker: Takeshi Hino (4) - Yamaha Júbilo
*Prop: Takuma Asahara (9) - Toshiba Brave Lupus (5th-place playoffs)
Prop: Shintaro Ishihara (8) - Suntory Sungoliath (Semifinalists, Champions 4 of the last 10 years)
*Prop: Koki Yamamoto (5) - Yamaha Júbilo
*Lock: Shinya Makabe (36) - Suntory Sungoliath
*Lock: Kotaro Yatabe (15) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Lock: Samuela Anisi (7) - Canon Eagles (9th-place playoffs)
Back Row: Amanaki Mafi (19) - NTT Shining Arcs (9th-place playoffs)
*Back Row: Shuhei Matsuhashi (8) - Ricoh Black Rams (5th-place playoffs)
*Back Row: Shunsuke Nunomaki (5) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Back Row: Fetuani Lautaimi (3) - Toyota Verblitz

*Scrum Half: Keisuke Uchida (22) - Panasonic Wild Knights
*Scrum Half: Yutaka Nagare (9) - Suntory Sungoliath
Fly Half: Rikiya Matsuda (10) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Centre: Ryoto Nakamura (11) - Suntory Sungoliath
Wing: Yoshikazu Fujita (30) - Panasonic Wild Knights
Wing: Male Sa'u (27) - Yamaha Júbilo
*Fullback: Kotaro Matsushima (28) - Suntory Sungoliath
Fullback: Ryuji Noguchi (12) - Tokai University

 

[Penne Rara]

Don't they have a halfback back-up? What happens if the talented Tanaka is sick or injured?

Edit: I'm stupid, read it a bit too fast

 

[Brigantine]

Panasonic Wild Knights team for tomorrow.

All the Sunwolves and Japan internationals are there except one (Kotaro Yatabe). Also David Pocock who will be in their opposition in the first SR game (Brumbies).
So basically the Wild Knights are just the Sunwolves under another name, with some players released...

1 Keita Inagaki, 2 Shota Horie, 3 Asaeli Ai Valu, 4 Sam Wykes, 5 Daniel Heenan (2 au), 6 Ben Gunter, 7 David Pocock (65 au), 8 Koliniasi Holani (45 jp),
9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 10 Takuya Yamasawa, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 12 Rikiya Matsuda, 13 Digby Ioane (35 au), 14 Akihito Yamada, 15 Yasutaka Sasakura,
16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Tamura Emerson, 18 Shohei Hirano, 19 Ryota Hasegawa, 20 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Yuga Hyakutake, 23 Yoshikazu Fujita

Also - wow, names written in Japanese really don't google translate very well! Who is Dragon Corinius?

 

[Brigantine]

And Suntory Sungoliath - the team with zero Sunwolves - wins the Top League and the All Japan Championship.

Up until now I've been perplexed by how one of the two teams clearly far ahead of the rest, has none of their players signing to the Sunwolves this season...
But now I'm thinking they want to join SR in their own right!

They would be the natural starting point for a 2nd Japanese franchise. They have the quality, pedigree and (I presume) a ready-made rivalry with the Panasonic Wild Knights = Sunwolves.

 

[Brigantine]

I lie!

In the last week the Sunwolves have re-signed Matsushima and Nagare of Suntory Sungoliath.

Also re-signed centre William Tupou who apparently also has 1 cap for Japan - vs Ireland last June (Coca-Cola Red Sparks - 14th in Top League, has a relegation play-off this Sat)
And signed a new wing Hosea Saumaki (Canon Eagles - 10th in Top League)

 

[Brigantine]

Also signed Shintaro Ishihara and new lock James Moore (Toshiba Brave Lupus) re-signed hooker Yusuke Niwai (3 caps Japan, Canon Eagles).

[Cross post]

We still have to have 2 or 3 games in Singapore...

Apparently the Rebels game has been moved to Tokyo. It also appears the Stormers game (which was venue TBD) and Bulls game (originally scheduled in Singapore) are also now going to be in Tokyo. So they quietly pulled the pin on the whole Singapore thing, and the Sunwolves get a full 8 home games this year!

They're in the Australian conference, they've signed some top players, Jamie Joseph is their coach, the Top League finished early to allow them proper preparation, and now they've got a fair draw. No excuses for the Sunwolves any more, it's time for them to get results.

 

[Brigantine]

More new signings. (Full Squad)

This time including re-signing Shinya Makabe (Lock, 36 caps), Keisuke Uchida (SH, 22 caps) and new signing Ryoto Nakamura (Centre, 11 caps).

Updating Japanese internationals who are not also Sunwolves:
* - in squad 2017, but not confirmed for 2018
** - in the 2018 squad too, but only for the pre-season
Small font - Fewer than 8 caps

*Hooker: Atsushi Sakate (11) - Panasonic Wild Knights - (they have instead Jaba Bregvadze - 49 caps for Georgia)
**Hooker: Takeshi Hino (4) - Yamaha Júbilo
**Prop: Takuma Asahara (9) - Toshiba Brave Lupus - (they have instead Ruan Smith - 51 caps for the Brumbies)
*Prop: Koki Yamamoto (5) - Yamaha Júbilo
*Lock: Kotaro Yatabe (15) - Panasonic Wild Knights - (they have instead Sam Wykes - 87 caps for the Force and Grant Hattingh - 46 caps for the Bulls)
Lock: Samuela Anisi (7) - Canon Eagles (9th-place playoffs)
*Flanker: Shuhei Matsuhashi (8) - Ricoh Black Rams (5th-place playoffs) - (they have instead Pieter Lappies Labuschagne - 49 caps for the Cheetahs and Bulls)
No.8: Amanaki Mafi (19) - NTT Shining Arcs (9th-place playoffs)
No.8: Fetuani Lautaimi (3) - Toyota Verblitz

Fly Half: Rikiya Matsuda (10) - Panasonic Wild Knights - (they have instead Hayden Parker - 30 caps for the Highlanders)
Wing: Yoshikazu Fujita (30) - Panasonic Wild Knights - (they have instead Gerhard van den Heever - 57 caps for the Bulls and Stormers, and 29 for Munster)
Wing: Male Sa'u (27) - Yamaha Júbilo (last test June 2016)
Fullback: Ryuji Noguchi (12) - Tokai University - (they have instead Robbie Robinson - 44 caps for the Highlanders and Chiefs, but not since 2014)

The list is growing quite short. Only 2 with 20+ caps.

Areas where the Sunwolves still lack experienced depth:

Where Japan lacks depth in the first place:

- Props, Flankers, Centres - Players who debuted for Japan in November are 4th or 5th choice for both Japan and for the Sunwolves. Also the 3rd choice flanker only has 5 caps.
(Props: Asaeli Ai Valu and Jiwon Koo (4th/5th), Flankers: Shunsuke Nunomaki (3rd - 5 caps), Wimpie van der Walt (4th) and Kazuki Himeno (5th Lock/5th Flanker), Centres: Sione Teaupa (4th), Will Tupou (5th - 1 cap last June))

- Fly Half & Fullback - the ones they have are good, but they only have 2 signed.
(Fly Halves: Yu Tamura and Hayden Parker, Fullbacks: Kotaro Matsushima and Robbie Robinson)

Where Japan has depth, but the Sunwolves haven't signed it:

- Hooker - the 3rd choice hooker was dropped from the national team, while 2 who haven't signed still get selected (10 caps and 4 caps).
(Hooker: Yusuke Niwai (3 caps last June))

- Wings - there are 2 experienced Japanese wings who haven't signed, so their 4th choice only has 5 caps, and their 5th choice has only played Top League.
(Wings: Lomano Lava Lemeki (4th - 5 caps), Hosea Saumaki (5th))

Additional players beyond 3rd choice / 5th choice for a position:
Props: Craig Millar (Highlanders 10 caps) and Hencus van Wyk, Locks: James Moore, Centres: Michael Little.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Parker is more than comfortable at super rugby level, he may never have been an All Black in waiting but he's no weak link at this level, dont let him get injured and he'll perform

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Great to see games moved to Tokyo. Maybe they will make "Top 5" after all...

In their conference.

 

[Brigantine]

On the Monday before the season starts, they've made 3 more signings.

- Re-signed Japanese 2nd choice Hooker Atsushi Sakate (10 caps)
- Signed Japanese 2nd choice Fullback Ryuji Noguchi (12 caps)
- Signed new Centre Jason Emery (35 caps for the Highlanders) - Joining the other ex-Highlanders Hayden Parker (Fly Half, 30 caps) and Craig Millar (Prop, 10 caps)


The full squad is now 45 strong, including no less than 8 centres. In some sort of order with some bias to developing players for Japan:

FORWARDS
(current Japanese internationals in bold)

• Hookers:
  • Shota Horie (55 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Jaba Bregvadze (49 caps Georgia) - ex Worcester (AP) & Toulouse (Top 14)
    
  • Atsushi Sakate (10 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
    
  • Yusuke Niwai (3 caps Japan, dropped) - Canon Eagles

• Props:
  • Keita Inagaki (19 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Ruan Smith (Brumbies 50+ caps) - Toyota Verblitz / ex Brumbies
    
  • Shintaro Ishihara (8 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • Asaeli Valu (3 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Koo Jiwon (2 caps Japan) - Honda Heat
  • Craig Millar (Highlanders 10 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders
    
  • Hencus Van Wyk (Bulls 2 caps?) - Munakata Sanix Blues / ex Lions & Bulls

• Locks:
  • Shinya Makabe (36 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
  • Sam Wykes (Force 87 caps - Panasonic Wild Knights / ex Force
    
  • Grant Hattingh (Bulls 46 caps) - Kubota Spears / ex Bulls & Lions
    
  • Uwe Helu (7 caps Japan) - Yamaha Júbilo
  • Kazuki Himeno (3 caps Japan) - Toyota Verblitz
    • Flanker/Lock: Wimpie van der Walt (3 caps japan)
  • James Moore - Toshiba Brave Lupus / ex Brisbane City (NRC)

• Flankers:
  • Pieter Lappies Labuschagne (Bulls 22 caps) - Kubota Spears / ex Bulls & Cheetahs
  • Shunsuke Nunomaki (5 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Wimpie van der Walt (3 caps Japan) - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes
    
  • Edward Quirk (Reds 39 caps) - Canon Eagles / ex Reds
    • Lock/Flanker: Kazuki Himeno (3 caps Japan)

• Number 8s:
  • Michael Leitch (53 caps Japan) - Toshiba Brave Lupus / ex Chiefs
    
  • Yoshitaka Tokunaga (8 caps Japan) - Toshiba Brave Lupus
    
  • Willie Britz (15 caps Lions) - NTT Shining Arcs / ex Cheetahs & Lions

BACKS

• Scrum Halves:
  • Fumiaki Tanaka (64 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Keisuke Uchida (22 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Yutaka Nagare (9 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath

• Fly Halves:
  • Yu Tamura (48 caps Japan) - Canon Eagles
  • Hayden Parker (Highlanders 30 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders

• Centres:
  • Harumichi Tatekawa (54 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears
  • Ryoto Nakamura (11 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • Jason Emery (Highlanders 35 caps) - Manawatu (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders
    
  • Timothy Lafaele (8 caps Japan) - Coca-Coca Red Sparks
  • Sione Teaupa (3 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears
  • William Tupou (1 cap Japan, dropped) - Coca Cola Red Sparks / ex Force
    
  • Daishi Murata (2 caps Japan, dropped) - Suntory Sungoliath
  • Michael Little - Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Dynaboars / ex North Harbour (Mitre 10 Cup)

• Wings:
  • Kenki Fukuoka (24 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Akihito Yamada (23 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Gerhard van den Heever (Stormers 26 caps) - Yamaha Júbilo / ex Stormers & Bulls
    
  • Lomano Lemeki (5 caps Japan) - Honda Heat
  • Hosea Saumaki - Canon Eagles

• Full Backs:
  • Kotaro Matsushima (28 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • Ryuji Noguchi (12 caps Japan) - Tokai University
    
  • Robbie Robinson (Chiefs 24 caps) - Ricoh Black Rams / ex Chiefs & Highlanders

 

[Welshdragon2000]

I'm glad to see that the Sunwolves have strengthened for this season and added depth. I think they will do well personally and I'm hoping that they can challenge for the play offs but maybe that's a bit optimistic.

 

[Brigantine]

First opponents are the Brumbies, in Tokyo

As a guide to what sort of form they're in, their pre-season results were a 50-19 win over the Rebels, and a 38-26 loss to the Chiefs. By comparison last season those results were 32-3 and 28-10, so the pre-season results are broadly in line with expectations, just a few points better.

According to an article 3 weeks ago, there's a focus on avoiding a slow start to the season. Sounds like they don't want to underestimate the Sunwolves!


AFAIK the Sunwolves haven't had any pre-season matches, except the 3 guys who played for the Wild Knights in the Brisbane 10s, so there won't be any real indication of the Sunwolves' form until kickoff.

 

[Groundhog]

Top 10 anime twists
Who else would a neutral support realistically?

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

On the Monday before the season starts, they've made 3 more signings.

- Re-signed Japanese 2nd choice Hooker Atsushi Sakate (10 caps)
- Signed Japanese 2nd choice Fullback Ryuji Noguchi (12 caps)
- Signed new Centre Jason Emery (35 caps for the Highlanders) - Joining the other ex-Highlanders Hayden Parker (Fly Half, 30 caps) and Craig Millar (Prop, 10 caps)


The full squad is now 45 strong, including no less than 8 centres. In some sort of order with some bias to developing players for Japan:

FORWARDS
(current Japanese internationals in bold)

• Hookers:
  • Shota Horie (55 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Jaba Bregvadze (49 caps Georgia) - ex Worcester (AP) & Toulouse (Top 14)
    
  • Atsushi Sakate (10 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
    
  • Yusuke Niwai (3 caps Japan, dropped) - Canon Eagles

• Props:
  • Keita Inagaki (19 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Ruan Smith (Brumbies 50+ caps) - Toyota Verblitz / ex Brumbies
    
  • Shintaro Ishihara (8 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • Asaeli Valu (3 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Koo Jiwon (2 caps Japan) - Honda Heat
  • Craig Millar (Highlanders 10 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders
    
  • Hencus Van Wyk (Bulls 2 caps?) - Munakata Sanix Blues / ex Lions & Bulls

• Locks:
  • Shinya Makabe (36 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
  • Sam Wykes (Force 87 caps - Panasonic Wild Knights / ex Force
    
  • Grant Hattingh (Bulls 46 caps) - Kubota Spears / ex Bulls & Lions
    
  • Uwe Helu (7 caps Japan) - Yamaha Júbilo
  • Kazuki Himeno (3 caps Japan) - Toyota Verblitz
    • Flanker/Lock: Wimpie van der Walt (3 caps japan)
  • James Moore - Toshiba Brave Lupus / ex Brisbane City (NRC)

• Flankers:
  • Pieter Lappies Labuschagne (Bulls 22 caps) - Kubota Spears / ex Bulls & Cheetahs
  • Shunsuke Nunomaki (5 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Wimpie van der Walt (3 caps Japan) - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes
    
  • Edward Quirk (Reds 39 caps) - Canon Eagles / ex Reds
    • Lock/Flanker: Kazuki Himeno (3 caps Japan)

• Number 8s:
  • Michael Leitch (53 caps Japan) - Toshiba Brave Lupus / ex Chiefs
    
  • Yoshitaka Tokunaga (8 caps Japan) - Toshiba Brave Lupus
    
  • Willie Britz (15 caps Lions) - NTT Shining Arcs / ex Cheetahs & Lions

BACKS

• Scrum Halves:
  • Fumiaki Tanaka (64 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Keisuke Uchida (22 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Yutaka Nagare (9 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath

• Fly Halves:
  • Yu Tamura (48 caps Japan) - Canon Eagles
  • Hayden Parker (Highlanders 30 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders

• Centres:
  • Harumichi Tatekawa (54 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears
  • Ryoto Nakamura (11 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • Jason Emery (Highlanders 35 caps) - Manawatu (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders
    
  • Timothy Lafaele (8 caps Japan) - Coca-Coca Red Sparks
  • Sione Teaupa (3 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears
  • William Tupou (1 cap Japan, dropped) - Coca Cola Red Sparks / ex Force
    
  • Daishi Murata (2 caps Japan, dropped) - Suntory Sungoliath
  • Michael Little - Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Dynaboars / ex North Harbour (Mitre 10 Cup)

• Wings:
  • Kenki Fukuoka (24 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Akihito Yamada (23 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • Gerhard van den Heever (Stormers 26 caps) - Yamaha Júbilo / ex Stormers & Bulls
    
  • Lomano Lemeki (5 caps Japan) - Honda Heat
  • Hosea Saumaki - Canon Eagles

• Full Backs:
  • Kotaro Matsushima (28 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • Ryuji Noguchi (12 caps Japan) - Tokai University
    
  • Robbie Robinson (Chiefs 24 caps) - Ricoh Black Rams / ex Chiefs & Highlanders

Excellent that they have signed another Japanese international hooker. And I think Noguchi is the very highly thought of University student. Outside of the front five (which I can't assess) this looks a decent squad - stronger than previous years and certainly not whipping boys.

I will miss the scrum half Shigeno, I really liked him but maybe he didn't protect the ball enough.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I see 7 or 8 potentially winnable games for the Sunwolves, but will say they will get 5.

Last years schedule was so bad I thought they'd win zero and they got two in the end I think.

Brumbies are the best Oz franchise up front, so they might be able to capitalise on the Sunwolves's Achilles Heel. I think it'll be an opening season loss for the Sunwolves, particularly due to the lack of preseason fixtures which can't help. A win wouldn't stun me though.

 

[Brigantine]

Somehow, after 2 rounds, the Sunwolves are the only team to have lost a home game.

Should be joined by about 4 more teams next week though.

 

[Brigantine]

Keeping track of who's played where each game so far... [vs Brumbies, Rebels, Sharks, Lions, Chiefs] 'R' = Replacement, '-' = not selected, 'i' = unavailable due to injury, '_' = not in touring squad/training.

I changed the rankings for some positions slightly.

FORWARDS
(current Japanese internationals in bold)

• Hookers:
  • [2,2,i,_,2] Shota Horie (55 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [R,-,_,_,-] Jaba Bregvadze (49 caps Georgia) - ex Worcester (AP) & Toulouse (Top 14)
    
  • [-,R,R,R,-] Atsushi Sakate (10 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
    
  • [-,-,2,2,R] Yusuke Niwai (3 caps Japan, dropped) - Canon Eagles

• Props:
  • [1,R,_,_,1] Keita Inagaki (19 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [-,-,_,_,_] Ruan Smith (Brumbies 50+ caps) - Toyota Verblitz / ex Brumbies
    
  • [-,-,R,R,-] Shintaro Ishihara (8 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • [3,3,-,3,R] Koo Jiwon (2 caps Japan) - Honda Heat
  • [R,R,i,_,-] Asaeli Valu (3 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [R,1,1,1,R] Craig Millar (Highlanders 10 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders
    
  • [-,-,R,R,3] Hencus Van Wyk (Bulls 2 caps?) - Munakata Sanix Blues / ex Lions & Bulls
    • [-,-,3,-,-] Temp - Takuma Asahara

• Locks:
  • [-,-,_,_,-] Shinya Makabe (36 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
  • [4,4,i,_,-] Sam Wykes (Force 87 caps - Panasonic Wild Knights / ex Force
    
  • [5,-,5,R,_] Grant Hattingh (Bulls 46 caps) - Kubota Spears / ex Bulls & Lions
    
  • [-,-,_,_,5] Uwe Helu (7 caps Japan) - Yamaha Júbilo
  • [6,-,4,4,4] Kazuki Himeno (3 caps Japan) - Toyota Verblitz
    • Flanker/Lock: Wimpie van der Walt (3 caps japan)
  • [R,R,_,_,-] James Moore - Toshiba Brave Lupus / ex Brisbane City (NRC)

• Flankers:
  • [7,7,R,7,_] Pieter Lappies Labuschagne (Bulls 22 caps) - Kubota Spears / ex Bulls & Cheetahs
  • [-,-,R,5,R] Wimpie Vanderwalt (3 caps Japan) - NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes
  • [-,-,_,_,-] Shunsuke Nunomaki (5 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [R,8,-,-,7] Edward Quirk (Reds 39 caps) - Canon Eagles / ex Reds
    • Lock/Flanker: Kazuki Himeno (3 caps Japan)

• Number 8s:
  • [-,6,6,8,6] Michael Leitch (53 caps Japan) - Toshiba Brave Lupus / ex Chiefs
    
  • [-,R,7,6,R] Yoshitaka Tokunaga (8 caps Japan) - Toshiba Brave Lupus
    
  • [8,5,8,R,8] Willie Britz (15 caps Lions) - NTT Shining Arcs / ex Cheetahs & Lions

BACKS

• Scrum Halves:
  • [R,R,_,_,9] Fumiaki Tanaka (64 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [-,-,9,-,-] Keisuke Uchida (22 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [9,9,R,9,R] Yutaka Nagare (9 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath

• Fly Halves:
  • [-,-,_,_,10] Yu Tamura (48 caps Japan) - Canon Eagles
  • [R,10,i,_,-] Hayden Parker (Highlanders 30 caps) - Otago (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders

• Centres:
  • [-,R,10,10,-] Harumichi Tatekawa (54 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears
  • [12,12,R,R,-] Ryoto Nakamura (11 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • [15,-,_,_,_] Jason Emery (Highlanders 35 caps) - Manawatu (Mitre 10 Cup) / ex Highlanders
    
  • [13,13,i,_,13] Timothy Lafaele (8 caps Japan) - Coca-Coca Red Sparks
  • [R,-,13,-,-] Sione Teaupa (3 caps Japan) - Kubota Spears
  • [-,11,11,13,R] William Tupou (1 cap Japan, dropped) - Coca Cola Red Sparks / ex Force
    
  • [-,-,_,_,_] Daishi Murata (2 caps Japan, dropped) - Suntory Sungoliath
  • [-,-,12,12,12] Michael Little - Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Dynaboars / ex North Harbour (Mitre 10 Cup)

• Wings:
  • [-,-,_,_,-] Kenki Fukuoka (24 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [-,14,i,_,-] Akihito Yamada (23 caps Japan) - Panasonic Wild Knights
  • [11,-,-,11,11] Hosea Saumaki - Canon Eagles / ex Tonga 7s (Not sure if he can ever become Japanese Qualified or not)
    
  • [-,-,_,_,_] Gerhard van den Heever (Stormers 26 caps) - Yamaha Júbilo / ex Stormers & Bulls
    
  • [14,-,14,14,-] Lomano Lemeki (5 caps Japan) - Honda Heat

• Full Backs:
  • [-,-,15,15,14] Kotaro Matsushima (28 caps Japan) - Suntory Sungoliath
    
  • [-,R,-,R,15] Ryuji Noguchi (12 caps Japan) - Tokai University
    
  • [10,15,R,-,R] Robbie Robinson (Chiefs 24 caps) - Ricoh Black Rams / ex Chiefs & Highlanders

 

[Brigantine]

Cross post:

Is Saumaki eligible to play for Japan or has he played for Tonga before? Couldn't find any evidence of him having played for Tonga on google?

He played Tonga in 7s - but only has 4 caps all from the 2012 Gold Coast tournament. Never in 15s.

Saumaki has expressed that he wants to represent Japan at test level but may need to use the Olympic loophole in order to do so.

 

[Brigantine]

In 2019, for the 4th season in a row, the Sunwolves have to host some of their 'home' games overseas. [draw]

Presumably it will be the same as 2018, 1 in Singapore, 1 in Hong Kong, 6 at home. Unless Hong Kong qualify for the World Cup, then it might be 2 games in Hong Kong.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Joseph quits as Sunwolves coach. The shambles and bad news continues for Tier 2 everywhere

https://www.planetrugby.com/news/jamie-joseph-stands-down-as-sunwolves-coach/

 

[Brigantine]

And into 2019...

Just catching up to the Chiefs game now. Looking at the line-up for Japanese-qualified players...
Definitely fewer than normal in there, and only 2 in the backs.

Non-Japanese-qualified players in bold. (8, 10 and 14 I'm not sure of, what's the rule? 3 years?)

1. Pauliasi MANU - ex Blues
2. Atsushi SAKATE - Japan
3. Hiroshi YAMASHITA - Japan
4 Luke THOMPSON - Japan (since 2007, ex Canterbury)
5. Uwe HELU - Japan
6. Hendrik TUI - Japan (since 2012, ex Reds)
7. Edward QUIRK - ex Wallaby (Sunwolves since 2016)
8. Rahboni WARREN VOSAYACO - in Japan since 2016, ex Sydney (Sunwolves since 2017)
9. Kaito SHIGENO - Japan
10. Hayden PARKER - ex Highlander (played for Japanese teams every season since 2015, but also Otago/Highlanders)
11. Jamie HENRY - Japan since 2013 (7s)
12. Michael LITTLE (C) - ex North Harbour
13. Shane GATES - ex Southern Kings
14. Gerhard van den HEEVER - in Japan since 2016, ex Stormers/Munster
15. Jason EMERY - ex Highlanders/Maori All Blacks

16. Nathan VELLA - ex Canterbury/London Welsh(?)/Auckland
17. Sam PRATTLEY - ex Chiefs/Blues
18. Asaeli Ai VALU - Japan
19. Tom ROWE - ex Otago
20. James MOORE - ex Brisbane City
21. Jamie BOOTH - ex Hurricanes
22. Phil BURLEIGH - Scotland / ex Edinburgh/Highlanders
23. Rikiya MATSUDA - Japan

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

The main japanese players are with the international squad training etc, same with the coaches.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

The main japanese players are with the international squad training etc, same with the coaches.

Yes. Is it a full year boot camp, with Sunwolves limited to fringe players? Or will the internationals get some SR exposure later in the year?

Good to see Shigeno back after a year out. He is a good wee scrum half.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

RIP in Peace Sunwolves
2017-2019

 

[User1245]

Link to the article:

https://www.outline.com/https://www...y/news-story/7f01cb777d8e67dc19c064e9719c631e

I agree with this move. That said, the "leadership" of SANZAAR can't organise a **** up in a brewery. The more they rip and patch together the tournament, the more your everyday fan cares less.

Australia wants the Asian market, SA doesn't want that. NZ doesn't seem to have a stance other than they want to compete with SA teams.

Edit: I think next on the chopping block will be the Super W tournament. Australia just can't fund it after this development.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Link to the article:

https://www.outline.com/https://www...y/news-story/7f01cb777d8e67dc19c064e9719c631e

I agree with this move. That said, the "leadership" of SANZAAR can't organise a **** up in a brewery. The more they rip and patch together the tournament, the more your everyday fan cares less.

Australia wants the Asian market, SA doesn't want that. NZ doesn't seem to have a stance other than they want to compete with SA teams.

Edit: I think next on the chopping block will be the Super W tournament. Australia just can't fund it after this development.

A good article, which points out most of the key points. I really think this is laughable on pretty much every front. If organisers think fans will come back in droves to a round-robin tournament then they have a different interpretation to me. Japan and the Sunwolves have been disfunctional though and not helped themselves. Depsite that they haven't been awful for the past two seasons, so i don't think they can be eliminated on the grounds of on field performance.

In 20 years time rugby will either be effectively dead in Japan, or a large chunk of SH internationals will be playing there full time, on Japan's terms.

Having got their way here, I wouldn't expect the SARU to be sending any further franchises north to the Pro14 any time soon - it has presumably remained their plan B.

Hopefully we see a Japanese side in Global Rapid Rugby in a years time.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Hold me.

Awoooooo

 

[Kiwiwomble]

I think it’s suck, sunwolves have been fun to watch and getting the odd result which has to be a big tick to keeping them,

I’m for a more simple Comp but if we bring it just back to the original three contries is fans are just going to get stung for more because sanzar isn’t going to accept less money

 

[SomeOke]

Nothing against the Sunwolves and I like having Japan involved BUT:
- The Sunwolves often cap their Japan international players, pulling them from the Wolves for large periods.
- The Sunwolves change their line-up frequently in order to test combinations for their national team (dropping Parker for Matsuda, bringing it that third choice scrumhalf, dropping Little for Nakamura etc).
- Top 14 often keeps players out of the Wolves team and seems to have first rights to the players.

In short the Sunwolves are treated like a practice team for the Japanese national team and this has been done since their inclusion in 2017.
That is not the way to treat super rugby, if they aren't going to take it seriously than they must go, I'm sorry but that's how I feel.

 

[Brigantine]

They won't RIP, they'll just follow the Force over to GRR... maybe?

In short the Sunwolves are treated like a practice team for the Japanese national team and this has been done since their inclusion in 2017.
That is not the way to treat super rugby, if they aren't going to take it seriously than they must go, I'm sorry but that's how I feel.

Yeah, but that was just until RWC 2019. If we're talking about removing them for the 2020 season, that point is obsolete.
Also they already changed the Top League to not overlap with SR.

Hosting games in Singapore is also not taking SR seriously, and that was a SAANZAR-imposed condition.
They never saw the Wolves as a normal team either.

When was the last SR season the format *didn't* change? 2015?