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Bruce_ma gooshvili

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Honda Heat from Div. 2 beat the Green Rockets in a relegation game, 24-22. But the announcer said the Green Rockets will remain in Div. 1 for the 2023 season.
The Green Rockets won on aggregate over the two legs. As did the Mitsubishi Dynaboars who got promoted against Izzy Folau's Shining Arcs. A bit of a shame as Shining Arcs are becoming a pro club with reportedly the largest budget, so being relegated is not the start they would have wanted to their new era next season.

I love relegation and promotional, for fairness, drama and keeping things interesting at the lower end of the league table. These highlights show guys on both sides blubbing away. You don't get that with ring fencing and closed shops (except maybe tears of frustration at being excluded).

 

Al Bangor

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The Tokyo-Bay Urayasu Shining Arcs changed their name to Urayasu D-Rocks. The rebrand coincides with their relegation to JRLO Division Two.

1660889434844.png
 
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stus768

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The Green Rockets won on aggregate over the two legs. As did the Mitsubishi Dynaboars who got promoted against Izzy Folau's Shining Arcs. A bit of a shame as Shining Arcs are becoming a pro club with reportedly the largest budget, so being relegated is not the start they would have wanted to their new era next season.

I love relegation and promotional, for fairness, drama and keeping things interesting at the lower end of the league table. These highlights show guys on both sides blubbing away. You don't get that with ring fencing and closed shops (except maybe tears of frustration at being excluded).


How does relegation work for the two leagues?
 

Bruce_ma gooshvili

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It seems to be a two leg playoff between the three top 2nd division sides against the three worst 1st Division sides rather than any sort of promotion tournament. I assume 10th in the 1st Division would get the easiest matchup against 3rd in the 2nd Div and 12th in 1st Division would get the 2nd Div champions.

Something similar was repeated between 2nd and 3rd divisions.
 

Bruce_ma gooshvili

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The Tokyo-Bay Urayasu Shining Arcs changed their name to Urayasu D-Rocks. The rebrand coincides with their relegation to JRLO Division Two.

View attachment 14536
Apparently the D stands for Dynamic, Delight and Dream. Three words that don't spring to mind with Greig Laidlaw at the helm. I like that even though they have a lot of money they are starting with a modest 5k stadium. It should get a good atmosphere. Being in the lower division may not be the worst thing. They are a merger of the two worst teams in the JRLO last season and, presumably due to contractual reasons, have kept loads of the players and failed coaching staff! Hopefully they can sneak a promotion and use this year to transition to something a bit more accomplished.

 

Al Bangor

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Apparently the D stands for Dynamic, Delight and Dream. Three words that don't spring to mind with Greig Laidlaw at the helm. I like that even though they have a lot of money they are starting with a modest 5k stadium. It should get a good atmosphere. Being in the lower division may not be the worst thing. They are a merger of the two worst teams in the JRLO last season and, presumably due to contractual reasons, have kept loads of the players and failed coaching staff! Hopefully they can sneak a promotion and use this year to transition to something a bit more accomplished.

I hope Israel Folau & Otere Black (both former Super Rugby) will return for Urayasu this coming season. They each played well for the Shining Arcs in 2022.
 
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Al Bangor

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Bruce_ma gooshvili

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Blimey, that's an early start. Japan in the news for record snowfall at the moment but doesnt appear to be Tokyo judging by match highlights.

Some very encouraging looking crowds in the opening weekend. Blue Revs and Eagles last year were my picks due to having Japanese head coaches. Now Sungoliath, Wild Knights and Liners all have Japanese head coaches too, taking us to 5 out of 12 and a further step away from this being a holiday camp for Tier1 unions.

Week one results and attendances

BR Tokyo 8-34 Sagamihara (5,842 spectators)
Toyota 31-26 Shizuoka (12,213 spectators)
Saitama 22-19 BL Tokyo (10,557 spectators)
Tokatsu 36-34 Hanazono (3 150 spectateurs)
Tokyo SG 18-31 Tokyo-Bay (10,842 spectators)
Yokohama 39-30 Kobe (8,710 spectators)

I smell momentum for Japanese rugby. Even the lower leagues had four figure attendances for every match.

 

Al Bangor

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Blimey, that's an early start. Japan in the news for record snowfall at the moment but doesnt appear to be Tokyo judging by match highlights.

Some very encouraging looking crowds in the opening weekend. Blue Revs and Eagles last year were my picks due to having Japanese head coaches. Now Sungoliath, Wild Knights and Liners all have Japanese head coaches too, taking us to 5 out of 12 and a further step away from this being a holiday camp for Tier1 unions.

Week one results and attendances

BR Tokyo 8-34 Sagamihara (5,842 spectators)
Toyota 31-26 Shizuoka (12,213 spectators)
Saitama 22-19 BL Tokyo (10,557 spectators)
Tokatsu 36-34 Hanazono (3 150 spectateurs)
Tokyo SG 18-31 Tokyo-Bay (10,842 spectators)
Yokohama 39-30 Kobe (8,710 spectators)

I smell momentum for Japanese rugby. Even the lower leagues had four figure attendances for every match.

Unfortunately, it looks like The Rugby Network won't be streaming JRLO matches again like they did last season. And that's disheartening because I really enjoyed watching JRLO. I guess I'll have to settle for highlights. :confused:

Go Brave Lupus!
 

Bruce_ma gooshvili

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Attendances respectable this week but way down on last week. I wonder if the companies order employees (or hand out free tickets) for the opening weekend as a show of strength to rivals.

 

Al Bangor

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Unfortunately, the Rugby Network is no longer streaming Japan Rugby League One games, so I haven't been able to watch any this season. But I have been watching the game highlights on the JRLO YouTube page. It's better than nothing. 🏉

And as of today the Wild Knights lead the standings, followed by the Spears, Goliath, Eagles and Brave Lupus.

 
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