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Presentation of the Top League clubs season 2012/2013

Hinato

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Brave Lupus
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This season, the Top League will celebrate its 10th birthday! Hiroaki Shukuzawa, creator of the championship semi-profesional Japanese in 2003 and former coach of the Japanese Cherry Blossoms (1989-1991) will unfortunately not the party. Shukuzawa died six years ago (June 17, 2006) at age 55 following a heart attack. Shukuzawa, which is currently the only coach to win a World Cup match with Japan at the 1991 edition, in Belfast, against Zimbabwe (52-08).
Since its inception, one thing is clear, the Japanese league is attracting more and more players southerners and not only of pre-retirees. In this world rugby turned professional for over 15 years, money has become a main argument. Like the Top 14 (Top 16) in the beginning, the corporate Top League clubs attract players with Southerners offered large salaries. But now, Japan is not France and in our country where the vast majority of people do not know much about rugby history of the rising sun, the comparison between Japan and Qatar rugby football is quickly made a comparison simply unfounded.


Japan has a real story where rugby football in Qatar is to nothingness. It is worth remembering that Japan is hosting the World Cup 2019 and that its leaders want to have a championship very attractive. This is a legitimate right for this country that has seen rugby become established on its soil in the nineteenth century. Including university rugby, with the creation of the first Japanese club, Keio in 1899.


So to compare, while the final of the Toulon Toulouse-May 25, 1985 attracted 37,000 people at Parc des Princes, a few months earlier, on 6 January 1985, the championship final university, Doshisha-Keio (Doshisha won by 10 - 06), 55 000 people had gathered at the National Stadium in Tokyo!


The record from 1983 when the semi-final of January 3, Waseda, Keio and Meiji-Doshisha had attracted 62,000 people at the National Stadium in Tokyo! At that time, the finals and semifinals university attracted more people (an average of 40,000 spectators) as the finals of the rugby league in France.



Presentation of clubs




Back on topic. As you noted, the transfers were marked again by an influx of Southern players into Top League and a great wave of freshness came straight from the Philippines. But all this championship clubs do not have the same goals.



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SUNTORY SUNGOLIATH


Coach: Naoya Okubo


Captain: Juntaro Takemoto (29 years)







Club Fuchu, who achieved the double last season (Top League, AJC), saw the departure of his Australian coach Eddie Jones, who is now the coach of the Brave Blossoms, after the departure of a few months earlier neo Zealand John
Kirwan. To succeed him, the officer of the club have appointed Naoya Okubo. It was forwards coach of Suntory and knows perfectly the philosophy of playing Jones. Okubo (former Japan international third line) should be applied to his players the same game very offensive, that we begin to find in today's Australia coach Brave Blossoms.


Transfer level, the club has not recruited heavyweights South, Smith and du Preez is still in the workforce. Suntory Sungoliath however recruited Kosei Ono. The Japanese international flyhalf, who had made one last big season with the Fukuoka Sanix Blues, was a top priority for the yellow and black. With the arrival of Ono club Fuchu equip itself with two enormous hinged (du Preez / Pisi, Hiwasa / Ono), something no other club Best League at present can not build. So a huge advantage for Suntory Sungoliath.


The club has seen in the opposite direction the departure of its third U.S. international Todd Clever line, signing party at Club Chiba, NTT Shining Arcs. Least hold this last season, particularly because of the arrival in strength of the Australian international George Smith, Clever chose NTT Shining Arcs to have more playing time to replace it, Suntory has relied on young people including the second line Timothy Bond.


The latter, universiaire defending champion, is part of the famous golden generation of Teikyo University (Tui, Yoshikazu, etc ...). Suntory Sungoliath will have again a sacred armada, between its foreign stars (Rossouw, Smith, du Preez, Pisi, Hewat, etc ...) and its international Japanese (Hatakeyama, Shinozuka, Makabe, Sasaki, Hiwasa, Ono, Nicholas, Onozawa, Nagatomo, etc ...).


The club will be the favorite Fuchu logic under this upcoming season.



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PANASONIC WILD KNIGHTS


Coach: Norifumi Nakajima


Captain: Seichi Shimomura (30 years)







The club Ota lost his ***le of Top League last season deal with Suntory Sungoliath in the final. The blue and black have also lost the final of the AJC against the same yellow and black as in the final in 2011. Huge regret So for players from Panasonic.



Transfer level, Norifumi Nakajima, coach Panasonic Wild Knights, as expected has seen the departure of South African international center Jaque Fourie for Kobelco Steelers. To replace him, the club Ota has managed to bring the season to an international and controversial New Zealand Sonny Bill Williams, whose departure has done a lot of noise, including the salary of 1.1 million euros for a single and only season with the Panasonic.




Otherwise, the club has no major upheavals. Players who have not succeeded in establishing itself among Panasonic Wild Knights left the club. Thus, the pillar Takayuki Kitagawa joined the league in Sagamihara Dynaboars Is A (second division Japanese). The third line of New Zealand Hamish Paterson has meanwhile joined the club from Yakult, promoted to League East A. Also note that the Australian flyhalf Sat Norton-Knight has since joined the province of the Western Force in Super Rugby. This past season, he was rarely used by Norifumi Nakajima. Put off the stunt with the arrival of Sonny Bill Williams, the owner of the Panasonic Wild Knights has changed very little.


The team will rely on its strong men (Hendrick Tui, Mike Delany, Tomoki Kitagawa) but will be without during much of the championship two of its international Japanese Shota Horie hooker and scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka. Both players will be participating in late August to ITM Cup with the Province of Otago, New Zealand.


Finally, Panasonic Wild Knights should secure a spot in the top four in order to participate in the playoffs, where there Norifumi Nakajima can finally count on this level.



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Toshiba Fuchu BRAVE LUPUS


Coach: Kenichi Wada


Captain: Masato Toyoda (27 years)







The other club in Fuchu, eternal rival Suntory Sungoliath, has once again failed in the semifinals, but this time against the Panasonic Wild Knights, while the red and black had finished second in the regular phase.


Also beaten in the semifinals of the AJC against the Suntory Sungoliath, Toshiba has nothing won as a trophy last season, nothing in two consecutive seasons. A more than average level of awards for the club to five ***les of Top League (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010).


It must be said that the team of Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus is one of the oldest championship, just like his back Tsutomu Matsuda (42 years) and the physical freshness made the difference on the end of the season, unfortunately for the red and black. Also coach Kenichi Wada he recruited two young academics this offseason: the pillar Keiichi Tanaka (Kanto Gakuin) and flyhalf Yoshikazu Morita (Teikyo), both in international and former U20 Japanese captains of their old teams university. Yoshikazu which party like Hendrick Tui and Timothy Bond including the golden generation of Teikyo. The club has also recruited the second line South Korean international Kim Kyul (former Coca Cola West Red Sparks) came to replace the second line New Zealand Bernie Upton (it arrived straight from the Irish province of Connacht last season but was just ghostly). For the rest the club made its mark by failing to bring the New Zealand international Hosea Gear (Highlanders).


For this coming season, Toshiba Fuchu Brave Lupus will yet again use of the favorites for the ***le.


Indeed, the red and black team last season was the best attack (72 trials enrolled) and the best defense (23 tries conceded) championship. Kenichi Wada has more than a very good second line (Mochizuki / Ono) and an excellent third line (Bates / Toyoda / Leitch), but the team is increasingly aging.


The coach of Toshiba will have to launch this young season: Tanaka and the U.S. in the first line Estrella, flyhalf Yoshikazu (David Hill holds logical but it is starting to get old too now 34 years old and can not take even that 60 minutes at 100%).


Not to mention at the back where we expect to see at last the young Kenichi Wada launch Shohei Toyoshima. The latter, which was very good with Japanese selection of the tour at 7 HSBC 2011/2012, deserves to be launched in the bath. At 42, Matsuda will not hold more than 30-40 minutes on land and it is unclear what may envy Toyoshima Hiroki Yoshida ...


Kenichi Wada has a team still able to get the ***le, between its New Zealand (Hill, Bates) and Japanese International XV (Ono, Mochizuki, Leitch, Fujii, Senba, Hirose) and 7 (Usuzuki , Toyoshima).



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NEC GREEN ROCKETS


Coach: Greg Cooper (Australia)


Captain: Ryota Asano (32 years)







The club Abiko was one of the biggest surprises of last season, has managed to qualify for the half finals of Top League and the AJC. Such a feat had with his Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo, the Bourgoin fans have known. Happened last year, he simply this card last season in the league record by becoming the trials included in a season by a player in the Top League (21).


Even if the club has relied on the great benefits of Nili Latu, McIntyre (arrived from Castres Olympique) and its two Japanese international (Tsuyoshi Murata and Yu Tamura) in particular, this is indeed the Fijian winger who was the player of the year on the side of NEC Green Rockets and allowed to green and white this feat.


At transfer, the big change is the departure of Kaname Okamura after eight years as coach (2004 2012),
replaced by New Zealander Greg Cooper (former Highlanders and Blues in particular). Masao Takayasu, president of the club, thus gained a great name as coach.


NEC Green Rockets saw the departure of several players. Thus, the second line Takanori Kumagae retired after 11 years of loyalty to the club. The second line South African Hottie Louw and the third line of New Zealand Dean Budd also leave the green and white after a season ever. Scrum-half South Korean international Ahn Senghyuk meanwhile joined the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes after four years at NEC Green Rockets (2008-2012) while former Japanese international flyhalf Eiji Ando, ​​rivaled by McIntyre and Japanese international Yu Tamura, after seven years at the club (2005-2012), trying a new adventure in Sagamihara Dynaboars in East League A (second division Japanese).


In the other direction, the club has seen very few arrivals. Two former University of Ryutsu Keizai joined the club: the second line Yuta Onodera (22 years) and the third line Vakauta Isileli (23 years).


NEC Green Rockets have not lost important players but was not recruited by big players. Unless qu'Onodera Isileli and prove the new coach, Greg Cooper, will be virtually the same team than last season and do as well as its predecessor Kaname Okamura (qualification 1/2 final ) while knowing that alongside big underdogs have significantly strengthened this offseason (Kobelco Steelers, NTT Shining Arcs, Kintetsu Liners).



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KINTETSU LINERS


Coach: Ryusuke Maeda


Captain: Tadanobu Ko (31 years)







The club Higashiosaka was one of the best surprises of last season, finishing in 5th place and the championship. What is the red and blue, their best season in their history in Top League!


Transfer level, Kintetsu Liners saw the departure of the second line Lua Lokotui particular, a big loss for the club. Instead of half opening Fa'atonu Fili and winger Taufa Tafiaibahayu leaving the team, authors of a black season. Tafiaibahayu that after six years with the Kintetsu Liners (2006-2012), will attempt to restart in Toyota Shokki Shuttles in A Western League (second division Japanese). Inlet side, the club made a nice shot with the arrival of two Australian Province of the Western Australian Force: the second row Tom Hockings (has replaced Lokotui) and center Gene Fairbanks.


Kintetsu Liners therefore strengthens this offseason, because the struggle for the playoffs will be tougher than ever. The team, only the ninth attack of Top League last season (41 trials enrolled) will once again rely on striker, Yasumasa Shigemitsu (32 years), author of 128 points at the foot last year.


The South Korean team, the pillar Angduk Sung (29 years) and 1/2 melee chuulwon Kim (28 years), will once again of the pillars of Japanese training. Like New Zealand Jeffrey Ierome (30 years) and Rico Gear (34 years) and the third line Repuha Ratuila (28 years) and the rear KB Tadanobu (32 years).





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KOBELCO STEELERS


Coach: Yuji Sonoda


Captain: Daiki Hashimoto (25 years)









"The eternal fifth of Top League" has completed this time at the sixth position in the championship. A disappointment for this club which was the first Top League champion in 2004. Also, the president Noboru Takenoshita, who has big ambitions for his club, achieved a five star recruit this summer. Besides the arrival Cohosh since last year's South African center Jaque Fourie, reds and whites have recruited Australian flyhalf Craig Wing (former NTT Shining Arcs) and the third line Australian Rocky Elsom (province of Waratahs).


Conversely, the club has seen the departure of the third line and mythical Japanese international Takeomi Ito (41 years), who after 18 years at the club (1994-2012), will try a new adventure in East League A (second division Japanese ) in Kamaishi Sea Waves.


New Zealand center Jason Kawau (31 years), difficulty in face of competition from Japanese Daisuke Yamamoto, meanwhile will try his luck in Kurita Water Club, A is also in league.


Pillar China International Sibo Wang, in lack of playing time, joined him on another league club Est, Sagamihara Dynaboars.


For the rest, the second line Scottish Scott McLeod, ghostlike, leaving the club. Like Hrishikesh Pendse. The 3rd International Indian line, the first pro player in the history of Indian rugby, has never managed to win at one of the biggest clubs in Japan. It has also left the Kobelco Steelers.


Finally, transfers this offseason has been very positive and Kobe Club will be a serious contender for the race for the playoffs.


For besides the foreign stars announced this summer, the team can count on his flyhalf Peter Grant and his Japanese international XV (Kizu, Yamashita, Ito) and 7 (Shomen). Yujii Sonoda, coach Kobelco Steelers players it takes to get Kobe Club in the semifinals at least.



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RICOH BLACK RAMS


Coach Leon Holden (New Zealand)


Captain: Daisuke Komatsu (27 years)







Club Tokyo has yet achieved a great season and recently finished a nice seventh place finish, just like last season, only three years after its rise in the Top League (2009). It must be said that the presence of New Zealand as coach Leon Holden Ricoh Black Rams brings a huge plus to the team. Holden arrives each year and to bring a big player in the English league.


While last season was James Haskell who came to play one season with the club in Tokyo on board the coach of New Zealand, this time, Holden was able to bring this offseason another England international center Riki Flutey (32 years), with support to replace the New Zealand international Ma'a Nonu who in one season, has left a great impression among fans.


To complete the pair of centers, the club has recruited the South African international Wynand Olivier (29 years, the province Bulls). The Tokyo team comfirme reputation of late, that of the team that has one of the best, if not the best, pair centers of the championship. On top of that, Holden has recruited another center, Justin Coveney. The Philippine International 27 years, Imperial's tournament of five nations of the Division 1 ***le and the Philippines, will debut in the Top League this coming season. It is like a rugby Philippine rapid progress and six of them will play in the Japanese league this season! A logical reward.


Otherwise, the Tokyo club has also recruited the third line Colin Bourke (27 years). The New Zealand province of Steamers (ITM Cup) will be an asset for the Black Rams. Holden has also recruited three young academics including a third promising line of Saitama University, the young Lotoahea Pohiva (23 years).


The departures level, Nonu, Haskell, Le, Ellison, T-Pole are among the big players who have left the club and will be greatly missed. Otherwise, the third line Rocky Havili (32 years), lack of playing time, joined the Eagles promoted Canon. Another third line, Youngdae Kim (29 years), also in bad shape Ricoh, tried his luck in NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes. As the center Ryo Kanazawa (30 years), before the big competition this past season and Nonu arrivals Flutey, Coveney and Olivier, he decided to leave and joined the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes where he will join former teammate so the Club Tokyo Youngdae Kim.


Ricoh Black Rams experienced a lot of transfers this offseason but thanks to Holden, recruitment has been good and will allow the team, the fourth attack of Top League last season (53 trials included), to be a formidable team, especially against the smaller teams, especially when you see once again the pair of centers that promises (Flutey / Olivier, not to mention Coveney replacing!).


New Zealand coach can count on its international Japanese (Nagae, Broadhurst) and on his flyhalf Yoshimitsu Kawano and Tongan winger Kinikinilau. The question remains, veteran Wataru Ikeda (36 years) he will continue to be the uncontested scrum half of the team or as a young Masatoshi Nakamura (23 years) will be in there to pull out of the game ?


One thing is certain, the club should do well in Tokyo in mid-table but can not expect more, because of its brittle defense (ninth defense last season with 44 tests against).



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YAMAHA JUBILO


Coach: Katsuyuki Kiyomiya


Captain: Yuta Kasahara (27 years)






After a season 2010/2011 which failed to get worse (relegation to regional leagues), the club has succeeded better Iwata 2011/2012 season, finishing in eighth place. Transfer level, Yamaha Jubilo saw the departure of the center of New Zealand Tane Tu'ipolotu and rear Yagi including Benjamin Ray.


Conversely, Katsuyuki Kiyomiya, the club coach for Iwata, brought the heavy with the coming of the Tongan center Siale Piutau (Highlanders). Yamaha Jubilo had a very nice shot also come by the center Patrice Olivier. The great hope Filipino, International XV and 7, did not play in Béziers in a team and Japanese leaders felt the right shot. A huge player in the tournament in Hong Kong and the Asian Five Nations tournament with the Philippines!


Yamaha Jubilo equip itself with two very good pairs of centers (Piutau / Sau, Olivier / Miyazawa) and will be very formidable this season at the rear. Otherwise, the club continues its current policy Iwata having recruited many college players this summer, no less than in September


Because unlike other Top League clubs in recent times, the club Iwata essentially communication relies on Japanese youth. So last season, three young Japanese were found in the team and become holders indisputable: the third line Yuhimaru Mimura (23 years, ex-Meiji), winger Shota Tanaka (25 years, former Waseda) and the center Masatochi Miyazawa (23 years, former Waseda).


In addition to his youth, coach Kiyomiya can rely on her back and Japanese international Ayumu Goromaru. The latter is obviously the scorer of the team. The South Korean winger Kilryong So also is a safe bet for the team and a formidable Scorer (8 enrolled in 11 games last season). Not forgetting of course the 3rd line of New Zealand Jerry Collins and Moses Tuiali'i and second-line Fijian Deryck Thomas.


Finally, Yamaha Jubilo has strengthened but should not be harassed by maintaining or play leading roles.



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NTT SHINING ARCS


Coach: Masato Hayashi


Captain: Hiraku Tomoigawa (27 years)







For the second consecutive season in the Top League, the Chiba club still has it better than last season and finished in ninth place finish. One might think that NTT Shining Arcs will maintain even this season, but Akihiko Higashi, club president, sees high, very high for his team.


The yellow and blue have seen this offseason departure of several elements to how important (13 players). Thus, the darling of the fans, the South African center JP Nel-(31 years), after four years at the club (2008-2012), left the team. Just as the third line Fotu Auelua (27 years, ex-Toulon) who after a season in Top League, the province has since joined Australian Brumbies (Super Rugby). Australian flyhalf Craig Wing, after two years at the club (2010 2012) meanwhile joined the Kobelco Steelers.


Those are major departures. In the least important, there is that of New Zealand winger Sosene Anesi (31 years). The third line of New Zealand Taka Aston Crawford, hardly used during his two seasons with the yellow and blue, seeks his fortune at promoted Canon Eagles.


To compensate for these departures, Higashi Akihiko released the big checks. Thus, the Chiba club has recruited very heavy! The third line U.S. international Todd Clever (former Suntory Sungoliath) arrived in the team. Filipinos being fashionable, the club has also recruited the brothers Saunders (Oliver and Matt), two very good players!


The Australian Centre Brackin Karauria-Henry (Waratahs) also incorporates the workforce. And the best for last. Winger
Alesana Tuilagi Samoan International (formerly Leicester) joined NTT Shining Arcs!


As intended by the president, the team has significantly strengthened this season and will target semi-finals, a goal to succeed qu'essaiera Masato Hayashi, the famous coach of yellow and blue. In addition to these new recruits, the team can rely on its values: the second line New Zealand Isaac Ross, the third line Australian Darren Murphy, not to mention its international Japanese to 7, Ryo Tsuruta. The young scrum half 23 years (formerly Tokai) was found in the Top League in his first season with the NTT Shining Arcs.


This season, we therefore expect his confirmation. The hinge Tsuruta / Saunders (Oliver) could also make sparks fly as the pair of centers Tuilagi / Karauria-Henry.


NTT Shining Arcs has ambitions to rise and if the sauce is, men Masato Hayashi will be serious competitors in 4th place (qualifying for the semifinals), as Kobelco Steelers, Kintetsu Liners, NEC Green Rockets.


Suntory Sungoliath, Toshiba Brave Lupus and Panasonic Wild Knights seem to be above the lot.



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Toyota Verblitz


Coach: Filo Tiatia (New Zealand)


Captain: Ryota Ueno (26 years)







10th last season, the club Toyota was the great disappointment of the year in Top League. With the result the first coaching change and the arrival of New Zealand Filo Tiatia as coach instead of Yasuhiro Kutsuki.




Departures have been inevitable. Of these, one of New Zealand back Orene Ai'i (32 years). Emblematic player of Toyota Verblitz (2005-2007, 2009-2012), he did not make weight on the rear face of Japanese Tatsuya Kusumi and Kaoru Matsushita. The Australian center Brett Gillespie (24 years), too little used by the coach Yasuhiro Kutsuki, leaves the club.


Conversely, the Toyota club has scored a major coup by recruiting the third line of New Zealand and reigning world champion, Jerome Kaino. But besides this, recruitment is rather low with young academics.


Only recruitment center Tongan Silivenusi Kauhea Taumoepau (ex-Rokko RFC) and seven young international Ozawa (former Ryutsu Keizai) may give hope to the green and white. For even if the team has its third Japanese international iconic line, Takashi Kikutani (32 years), and some good players such as center Takayuki Yamauchi (International 7), and Matsushita Kasumi rear, the pillar Yoshiki Nakamura Ryota Ueno hooker or the 2nd line Toshizumi Kitagawa and Koichi Sugimoto, Toyota Verblitz has a bench too small to hope to do much better this season.


Last season also, the green and white have lost most of their meetings in the last 20 minutes, due to replacements that simply were not at the Top League.


Given the competition announced the big teams, we can see evil Toyota Verblitz do better than mid-table championship this coming season. This is clearly a transitional season for the men of Filo Tiatia awaiting better days.


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FUKUOKA SANIX BLUES


Coach: Takuro Mori


Captain: Shusaku Hamazato (26 years)








Club Munakata (Fukuoka) experienced a difficult last season again after two good seasons, fleeing to the dam against Toyota Shokki Shuttles, with a score of 39-17. And things are not expected to improve for the coming season.


Indeed, flyhalf Kosei Ono, nugget and Japanese international team, author of a great season with the club, was recruited by one of the very big teams in the league, Suntory Sungoliath. A huge loss for how to Fukuoka Sanix Blues which could have serious consequences this season.


The blues and blacks saw the departure of several players whose third line emblematic Masahiro Oba (2001-2012). Conversely, the club has recruited several college players and especially the third line Feletiliki Mau (ex-Eagles Canon). Former Japanese international player, who had played in the World Fighting Bull in 2004, aged 35 years soon, try to have a starting spot.


Takuro Mori coach can count on a few players still needed this season: the pillar South Korean Dongwon Shin (25 years), the second line New Zealand Brad Thorn (37 years) and the center of New Zealand Tafai Ioasa (31 years ).


Hope to keep for next season, the blue and black will have to finally find a hinge stable. The many hinges used last season (Amamoto-Tashiro, Amamoto-Ahio, Harada-Ono) have disturbs during a long part of the season playing club Munakata.


Takuro Mori will also grant a tenure winger Karne Hesketh. The New Zealand than 27 years but has played very little has yet been very successful every time he came off the bench, scoring six tries and last season.


Fukuoka Sanix Blues has a weakened team compared to last year (largely because of the departure of Kosei Ono) and moreover the problem of the hinge is not settled and that the Japanese coach to lead not to permanent appointment Karne Hesketh, Munakata Club goes to a great catastrophe for with relegation to regional leagues.


Especially that besides this, the direct competitors to maintain (Canon Eagles, Kyuden Voltex, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes) has greatly strengthened the team better blue and black.


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NTT DOCOMO RED HURRICANES


Coach: Kazunari Takano


Captain: Takeshi Hirase (28 years)







In his first season in the Top League history, the club was very successful in Osaka maintain, narrowly beating Kubota Spears in the dam on the score of 29-27. A feat achieved through the work of several years of a certain Andrew McCormick. The coach of red and white, famous former Japanese international, has unfortunately left the club this season to Osaka to coach the team of Kwansei Gakuin University, in the famous university rugby championship.


Transfer level, NTT DoCoMo has seen the departure of a dozen players whose third line South Korean Chi Chong Hong (29 years), after three seasons at the club (2009-2012). There is in particular the departure of one of the iconic players of the club, the center Toru Aoki (30 years), leaving the Red Hurricanes after eight years on the team.

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CANON EAGLES


Coach Andy Friend (Australia)


Captain: Taku Wada (23 years)








One of the many clubs of Tokyo post for the first time ever in the Top League. A moment in history so how much for the red and black, who were also sacred last season Champions League Is A (second division Japanese). For Kazuhiko Noguchi, club president, an important season will start soon. So has there been a lot of movement on the side of the transfers.


Yoji Nagatomo, Canon Eagles coach, was promoted to sporting director after the historic rise of red and black in Top League. Thus the Australian Andy Friend, former coach of the Brumbies in the province in particular, became the new coach of the Eagles Canon. Kazuhiko Noguchi wanted to get a great coach abroad, because for the coming season and hope to keep in Top League, the club president needs a great coach to lead the stars of the south land.


Thus, the center of New Zealand Isaia Toeava (26 years, province of Blues) joined the club. The world champion was joined by second row Kane Thompson. The Samoan international (30 years, 22 caps), which plays in the province of New Zealand's Waikato Chiefs, will in turn integrate the number of red and black at the end of Super Rugby. The club promoted brand in Tokyo where a huge blow to the transfer market.


And that's not all. Andy Friend has also recruited some very good players in the league Is A (second division Japanese). Thus, the second China International Online Zhong Liang He (31 years, former Dynaboars Sagamihara), the third line NZ Joshua Mau (25 years, former Yokogawa Musashino) and winger Shinji Nakata (25 years, former Red Dolphins Hino) are among the new recruits of Canon Eagles.


The club has also chosen the Top League players who need to raise. The third line Rocky Havili (32 years),
by lack of playing time in Ricoh Black Rams, joined the red and black. Just as the third line of New Zealand
Crawford Aston (former NTT Shining Arcs).


Andy Friend is also focusing on promising young Japanese with scrumhalf Ryota Takagi (22 year-old former Hosei) and pillar Satoshi Ueda (23 years, former Tenri). The Australian coach has also spotted a young player in his country and brought Canon Eagles. This is the center Tim Bennetts (21 years). Peculiarity of the latter, his mother is Filipino and the player longs to integrate the Philippine selection to XV. No doubt we shall hear soon from Tim Bennets with the selection of the Philippines!


Besides all these recruits, reds and blacks already have values: the backbone of South Korea Kim Kwang Mo (32 years), the South African second row Albert Van Der Berg (38 years), the third line Fijian Tomasi Soqeta ( 28 years) and 1/2 Opening Callum Bruce (29 years). The losses of the Japanese International Alisi Tupuailai, the fast winger Ken Yoshida and second-line Australian Sitaleki Timani are largely compensated.


In the end, the club is growing monstrously Tokyo for a club promoted Top League. And when you see that next Fukuoka Sanix Blues weakens and NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes is not really a quality recruitment, it is likely that the Canon Eagles are likely to continue this coming season.



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Kyuden VOLTEX


Coach: Zane Hilton (New Zealand)


Captain: Makoto Matsumoto (28 years)







After two years of absence, the club Fukuoka again finds the Top League after finishing second the last Top Challenge, following a victory against the Eagles Canon, who had a lot of noise among players and leaders of Kubota Spears. The club has changed with the change of coaches and the appointment of New Zealand Zane Hilton (former coach of the fronts in Kyuden Voltex) as the new coach of the team of Fukuoka.


The club saw the departure of several players this offseason, including two of the three Australian team: hooker Josh Mann Rea (31 years), after three seasons in the team (2009-2012) and back Chris Latham (36 years), which stops his career after two years at the Kyuden Voltex (2010-2012). The departure of winger Hiroaki Suetsugu, emblematic player of the club (1999-2012), is also noted.




With these departures, Kyuden Voltex had inevitably become stronger and that's what the team has made with the arrival of the third line of New Zealand Mathew Luamanu (23 years, North Harbour), the Philippine International scrumhalf James Price ( 26 years, Northern Suburbs) and some college players.


Zane Hilton can also count on many international already in the team: the second line of New Zealand Chris Jack (33 years), the third line Australian Tom McVerry (32 years), the Australian center Ben Jacobs (30 years ), the center of New Zealand Dwayne Sweeney (27 years) and the Philippine International Centre Gareth Holgate (24 years). Not to mention in particular two Japanese, Makoto Matsumoto third line (28 years) and 1/2 opening Saito Genki (28 years).


Kyuden Voltex has very good 2nd and 3rd lines at the front, plus a pair of centers that is more than the road well with Jacobs, Swweney and Holgate. As for the hinge James Price / Saito Genki, it will be very interesting to follow during the season.


In the end, the club has maintained a staff Fukuoka, high standard with a Filipino accent more pronounced as NTT Shining Arcs and, like Canon Eagles, Kyuden Voltex has the means to maintain Top League. The first game of the season against the Fukuoka Sanix Blues, Sept. 1, will already factor in the struggle for the maintenance team Kyuden Voltex.
 
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