2013–14 Top League

Panasonic WILDKNIGHTS, 2013–14 Top League Champions.jpg 300px The 2013–14 Top League champions, Panasonic. Japan Japan 30 August 2013 – 9 February 2014 Panasonic Wild Knights (2nd title) Suntory Sungoliath 115 JPN Ryan Nicholas (188 pts)2.5emSuntory Sungoliath RSA Jaque Fourie (17 tries)2.5emKobe Kobelco Steelers 2012–13 2014–15 The 2013–14 Top League was the 11th season of Japan's domestic rugby union competition, the Top League. It kicked off on 30 August 2013. The final was held on 9 February 2014 and won by Panasonic Wild Knights. 3 Teams The Top League expanded from 14 to 16 teams for the 2013–14 season.2013 Japan Rugby Top League 16 Team Captains Japan Rugby 21 November 2013 http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/top-league-2013-14/item/116-japan-rugby-top-league-16-team-captains dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131121015230/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/top-league-2013-14/item/116-japan-rugby-top-league-16-team-captains 21 November 2013 The Sanix Blues team was relegated, and Coca-Cola West Red Sparks, Kubota Spears, Toyota Industries were promoted to the Top League for 2013–14. TeamRegionCoachCaptainCanon EaglesMachida, Tokyo, KantōJPN Yoji NagatomoJPN Taku WadaCoca-Cola West Red SparksFukuoka, KyushuJPN Shogo MukaiJPN Masakazu ToyotaKintetsu LinersHigashiosaka, Osaka, KansaiJPN Ryusuke Maeda JPN Haruki OtaKobelco SteelersKobe, KansaiJPN Seiji HiraoJPN Daiki HashimotoKubota SpearsAbiko, Chiba, KantōJPN Takashi YamagamiJPN Tatsurou KonnoKyuden VoltexFukuoka, KyūshūJPN Koji HirataJPN Makoto MatsumotoNEC Green RocketsAbiko, Chiba, KantōNZL Greg CooperJPN Ryota AsanoNTT DoCoMo Red HurricanesOsaka, KansaiJPN Kazunari TakanoJPN Hiroki YoshiokaNTT Com Shining ArcsChiba, Chiba, KantōJPN Masato HayashiJPN Hiraku TomoigawaPanasonic Wild KnightsOta, Gunma, KantōJPN Norifumi NakajimaJPN Shota HorieRicoh Black RamsTokyo, KantōNZL Leon Holden JPN Daisuke KomatsuSuntory SungoliathFuchū, Tokyo, KantōJPN Naoya OkuboJPN Shinya MakabeToshiba Brave LupusFuchū, Tokyo, KantōJPN Kenichi WadaJPN Michael LeitchToyota Industries ShuttlesAichi, MizuhoAUS Tai McIsaacJPN Takayuki KamitaniToyota VerblitzToyota, Aichi, TokaiJPN Keiji HiroseJPN Ryuta UenoYamaha JúbiloIwata, Shizuoka, TokaiJPN Katsuyuki KiyomiyaJPN Yuta Kasahara Regular season For the Pool stage, the 16 teams were placed into 2 pools of 8 teams each and a round-robin tournament was played within each of the pools. Then, for the Group stage, the top 4 teams from each pool went through to Group 1, and the bottom 4 teams from each pool went through to Group 2. The teams were given starting points based on where they finished in their pool. - i.e. starting points of 4, 3, 2, and 1, for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively; and starting points of 4, 3, 2, and 1, for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively. Another round-robin was played for each of the groups. The Top League teams in Group 1 ranked 1st to 4th qualified for the title play-offs to fight for the Microsoft Cup and the Top League title. The top 4 also qualified directly into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. The teams in Group 1 ranked 5th to 8th, and teams in Group 2 ranked 1st to 4th went through to the wildcard play-offs for qualification into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. The teams in Group 2 ranked 5th to 7th went through to the promotion and relegation play-offs against regional challengers to fight to remain in the Top League. The team in Group 2 ranked 8th was automatically relegated to the regional leagues for 2014–15. Table Group stage tables Top League - Group StageGroup 1ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints ForPoints AgainstPoints DifferenceTry BonusLosing BonusStart PointsPoints 1 Panasonic Wild Knights 7 7 0 0 224 105 119 4 0 4 36 2 Suntory Sungoliath 7 6 0 1 261 169 92 4 0 4 32 3 Kobelco Steelers 7 4 0 3 223 194 29 5 1 2 24 4 Toshiba Brave Lupus 7 4 0 3 181 151 30 2 3 2 23 5 Yamaha Júbilo 7 3 0 4 168 177 -9 2 2 3 19 6 Toyota Verblitz 7 3 0 4 127 188 -61 1 0 1 14 7 Canon Eagles 7 1 0 6 131 251 -120 0 3 1 8 8 NEC Green Rockets 7 0 0 7 130 210 -80 1 3 3 7Updated: 19 Jan 2014 Source:The Rugby Archive The top 4 teams (Green background) qualify for the title play-offs, and also play in the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. Teams 5 to 8 (Blue background) qualify for the wildcard play-offs for entry into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. Teams 1st in each pool have 4 starting points. Teams 2nd in each pool have 3 starting points. Teams 3rd in each pool have 2 starting points. Teams 4th in each pool have 1 starting point.Group 2ClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints ForPoints AgainstPoints DifferenceTry BonusLosing BonusStart PointsPoints 1 Kubota Spears 7 5 0 2 166 103 63 2 1 4 27 2 Kintetsu Liners 7 5 0 2 187 158 29 3 1 3 27 3 Ricoh Black Rams 7 4 0 3 217 150 67 5 2 2 25 4 Toyota Industries Shuttles 7 4 0 3 190 195 -5 4 0 3 23 5 NTT Com Shining Arcs 7 3 0 4 158 210 -52 3 1 4 20 6 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 7 3 0 4 157 175 -18 3 3 1 19 7 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 7 2 0 5 152 160 -8 2 2 2 14 8 Kyuden Voltex 7 2 0 5 157 233 -76 3 0 1 12Updated: 19 Jan 2014 Source:The Rugby Archive Teams 1 to 4 (Blue background) qualify for the wildcard play-offs for entry into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. Teams 5 to 7 (Yellow background) go through to the promotion and relegation play-offs against regional challengers to retain their places in the Top League. Team 8 (Red background) is automatically relegated to the regional leagues for 2014–15. Teams 5th in each pool have 4 starting points. Teams 6th in each pool have 3 starting points. Teams 7th in each pool have 2 starting points. Teams 8th in each pool have 1 starting point.Source:The Rugby Archive Four points for a win, two for a draw, one bonus point for four tries or more (BP1) and one bonus point for losing by seven or less (BP2). If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Number of matches won Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled Pool stage tables Top League - Pool StagePool AClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints ForPoints AgainstPoints DifferenceTry BonusLosing BonusPoints 1 Suntory Sungoliath 7 6 0 1 245 110 135 5 1 30 2 NEC Green Rockets 7 5 0 2 193 138 55 4 1 25 3 Kobelco Steelers 7 5 0 2 213 147 66 4 0 24 4 Toyota Verblitz 7 5 0 2 142 111 31 1 1 22 5 NTT Com Shining Arcs 7 4 0 3 155 175 -20 3 0 19 6 Toyota Industries Shuttles 7 1 0 6 172 185 -13 3 4 11 7 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 7 2 0 5 116 208 -92 2 0 10 8 Kyuden Voltex 7 0 0 7 87 259 -162 0 0 0Updated: 26 Nov 2013 Source:The Rugby Archive Teams 1 to 4 (Blue background) go through to Group 1 in the group stage. Teams 5 to 8 (Yellow background) go through to Group 2 in the group stage.Pool BClubPlayedWonDrawnLostPoints ForPoints AgainstPoints DifferenceTry BonusLosing BonusPoints 1 Panasonic Wild Knights 7 5 1 1 231 97 134 5 1 28 2 Yamaha Júbilo 7 5 1 1 209 150 59 3 0 25 3 Toshiba Brave Lupus 7 5 0 2 164 131 33 3 0 23 4 Canon Eagles 7 4 0 3 187 161 26 2 2 20 5 Kubota Spears 7 4 0 3 169 173 -4 3 1 20 6 Kintetsu Liners 7 2 0 5 139 167 -28 2 3 13 7 Ricoh Black Rams 7 1 1 5 142 196 -54 1 2 9 8 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 7 0 1 6 125 291 -166 3 1 6Updated: 26 Nov 2013 Source:The Rugby Archive Teams 1 to 4 (Blue background) go through to Group 1 in the group stage. Teams 5 to 8 (Yellow background) go through to Group 2 in the group stage.Source:The Rugby Archive Four points for a win, two for a draw, one bonus point for four tries or more (BP1) and one bonus point for losing by seven or less (BP2). If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Difference between points for and against Total number of points for Number of matches won Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled Pool stage Results (Source: The Rugby Archive January 2015 Group stage Round 1 30/11/2013 14:00 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 32–17 Ricoh Black Rams 30/11/2013 14:00 Kyuden Voltex 38–36 NTT Com Shining Arcs 30/11/2013 14:00 NEC Green Rockets 19–22 Canon Eagles 30/11/2013 14:00 Panasonic Wild Knights 24–20 Yamaha Jubilo 01/12/2013 14:00 Kintetsu Liners 21–20 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 01/12/2013 14:00 Kobelco Steelers 23–37 Suntory Sungoliath 01/12/2013 14:00 Kubota Spears 30–7 Toyota Industries Shuttles 01/12/2013 14:00 Toyota Verblitz 12–27 Toshiba Brave Lupus Round 2 07/12/2013 14:00 NEC Green Rockets 24–52 Suntory Sungoliath 07/12/2013 14:00 NTT Com Shining Arcs 16–47 Ricoh Black Rams 07/12/2013 14:00 Toyota Industries Shuttles 50–29 Kintetsu Liners 07/12/2013 14:00 Toyota Verblitz 11–32 Panasonic Wild Knights 07/12/2013 14:00 Yamaha Jubilo 35–16 Kobelco Steelers 08/12/2013 14:00 Kyuden Voltex 14–25 Kubota Spears 08/12/2013 14:00 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 17–18 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 08/12/2013 14:00 Toshiba Brave Lupus 26–24 Canon Eagles Round 3 14/12/2013 14:00 Suntory Sungoliath 13–42 Panasonic Wild Knights 14/12/2013 14:00 Toshiba Brave Lupus 22–18 NEC Green Rockets 14/12/2013 14:00 Yamaha Jubilo 23–19 Canon Eagles 15/12/2013 14:00 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 24–29 Toyota Industries Shuttles 15/12/2013 14:00 Kintetsu Liners 31–15 Kyuden Voltex 15/12/2013 14:00 Kobelco Steelers 34–18 Toyota Verblitz 15/12/2013 14:00 Kubota Spears 18–20 NTT Com Shining Arcs 15/12/2013 14:00 Ricoh Black Rams 36–20 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Round 4 21/12/2013 14:00 Kubota Spears 32–5 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 21/12/2013 14:00 NTT Com Shining Arcs 24–14 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 21/12/2013 14:00 Toyota Industries Shuttles 44–12 Kyuden Voltex 21/12/2013 14:00 Yamaha Jubilo 40–26 NEC Green Rockets 22/12/2013 14:00 Kobelco Steelers 48–19 Canon Eagles 22/12/2013 14:00 Panasonic Wild Knights 14–12 Toshiba Brave Lupus 22/12/2013 14:00 Ricoh Black Rams 19–24 Kintetsu Liners 22/12/2013 14:00 Suntory Sungoliath 49–7 Toyota Verblitz Round 5 04/01/2014 14:00 Canon Eagles 3–53 Panasonic Wild Knights 04/01/2014 14:00 NEC Green Rockets 17–33 Kobelco Steelers 04/01/2014 14:00 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 12–28 Kubota Spears 05/01/2014 14:00 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 20–27 Kintetsu Liners 05/01/2014 14:00 Kyuden Voltex 31–29 Ricoh Black Rams 05/01/2014 14:00 Toshiba Brave Lupus 29–30 Suntory Sungoliath 05/01/2014 14:00 Toyota Industries Shuttles 34–21 NTT Com Shining Arcs 05/01/2014 14:00 Toyota Verblitz 41–16 Yamaha Jubilo Round 6 11/01/2014 14:00 Canon Eagles 25–58 Suntory Sungoliath 11/01/2014 14:00 Kintetsu Liners 17–20 Kubota Spears 11/01/2014 14:00 Kyuden Voltex 21–31 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 11/01/2014 14:00 NTT Com Shining Arcs 27–21 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 11/01/2014 14:00 Panasonic Wild Knights 32–31 Kobelco Steelers 11/01/2014 14:00 Toyota Industries Shuttles 14–41 Ricoh Black Rams 11/01/2014 14:00 Toyota Verblitz 14–11 NEC Green Rockets 11/01/2014 14:00 Yamaha Jubilo 15–29 Toshiba Brave Lupus Round 7 18/01/2014 14:00 Kintetsu Liners 38–14 NTT Com Shining Arcs 18/01/2014 14:00 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 38–12 Toyota Industries Shuttles 18/01/2014 14:00 Ricoh Black Rams 28–13 Kubota Spears 18/01/2014 14:00 Suntory Sungoliath 22–19 Yamaha Jubilo 19/01/2014 14:00 Canon Eagles 19–24 Toyota Verblitz 19/01/2014 14:00 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 37–26 Kyuden Voltex 19/01/2014 14:00 Kobelco Steelers 38–36 Toshiba Brave Lupus 19/01/2014 14:00 Panasonic Wild Knights 27–15 NEC Green Rockets Title play-offs Top 4 sides of the regular season competed in the Microsoft Cup (2014) knock out tournament to fight for the Top League title. The top 4 teams of 2013–14 were Panasonic Wild Knights, Suntory Sungoliath, Kobelco Steelers, and Toshiba Brave Lupus. Semi-finals 01/02/2014 14:00 Panasonic Wild Knights 55–15 Toshiba Brave Lupus Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo Report2 February 2014 Panasonic to play Toshiba in season finale Japan Rugby 14 January 2015 http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/201-panasonic-to-play-toshiba-in-season-finale dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140315014117/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/201-panasonic-to-play-toshiba-in-season-finale 15 March 2014 Summary2 February 2014 Suntory Sungoliath vs. Kobelco Steelers Ultimate Rugby 14 January 2015 http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-toshiba-brave-lupus-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-1st-feb-2014/2654/commentary dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150114070617/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-toshiba-brave-lupus-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-1st-feb-2014/2654/commentary 14 January 2015 02/02/2014 14:00 Suntory Sungoliath 27–19 Kobelco Steelers Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo Report2 February 2014 Toshiba win in front of Emperor Japan Rugby 14 January 2015 http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/200-kobe-toshiba-win-in-front-of-emperor dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140315013131/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/200-kobe-toshiba-win-in-front-of-emperor 15 March 2014 Summary2 February 2014 Suntory Sungoliath vs. Kobelco Steelers Ultimate Rugby 14 January 2015 http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/kobelco-steelers-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-2nd-feb-2014/2655/commentary dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150114070429/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/kobelco-steelers-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-2nd-feb-2014/2655/commentary 14 January 2015 Final collapsible expanded 09/02/2014 14:00 Panasonic Wild Knights 45–22 Suntory Sungoliath Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo 10,217 Report9 February 2014 Panasonic crowned Top League champions Japan Rugby 16 February 2014 http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/195-panasonic-crowned-top-league-champions dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150114064519/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/195-panasonic-crowned-top-league-champions 14 January 2015 Summary9 February 2014 Panasonic Wild Knights vs. Suntory Sungoliath Ultimate Rugby 16 February 2014 http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-11th-feb-2014/2672/commentary dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140216210117/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-11th-feb-2014/2672/commentary 16 February 2014 Yamada 5', 49' Miyake 77' Barnes (2/3) 50', 78' Barnes (8/9) 21', 24', 31', 46', 53', 69', 72', 80' Shinya 9', Du Preez 14', Aruga 36' Tsukamoto (1/1) 15' Nicholas (1/2) 38' Nicholas (1/2) 60' Team detailsPanasonic Wild Knights FB 15Yasutaka Sasakura 76RW 14Tomoki Kitagawa OC 13Seichi ShimomuraIC 12Yasuki Hayashi 48 LW 11Akihito YamadaFH 10Berrick BarnesSH 9 Fumiaki Tanaka 77N8 8 Koliniasi Holani 77OF 7 Tadasuke Nishihara BF 6 Sione Vatuvei 77RL 5 Daniel Heenan 48 LL 4 Yu Young-nam TP 3 Tomokazu Soma 53HK 2 Shota Horie (c) LP 1 Keita InagakiReplacements:HK 16Tetsuya Shitara 77PR 17Naoki Kawamata 55PR 18Ryusioapelatu Holani 53 55 LK 19Yoichi Ijima 48 FL 20Daichi Wakamatsu 77SH 21Nicholas Ealey 77CE 22JP Pietersen 48 FB 23Takashi Miyake 76Coach:JPN Norifumi NakajimaSuntory Sungoliath FB 15Go Aruga 62RW 14Murata DaishiOC 13Koji Taira IC 12Ryan Nicholas LW 11Kenta TsukamotoFH 10Kosei Ono 69SH 9 Fourie Du Preez 69N8 8 Ozawa Naoki 77OF 7 Takamichi Sasaki BF 6 George Smith 73RL 5 Makabe Shinya (c)LL 4 Shinozuka KojiTP 3 Hatakeyama Kensuke HK 2 Aoki Yusuke LP 1 Kanei Tateo 73Replacements:HK 16Shintaro Ishihara 73PR 17Ozaki Akira PR 18Ikegaya Yosuke FL 19Takemoto Juntaro 77FL 20Hendrik Tui 73SH 21Hiwasa Atsushi 69CE 22Tusi Pisi 69FB 23Nagatomo Yasunori 62Coach:JPN Naoya Okubo Wildcard play-offs The Top League Group 1 teams ranked 5–8 and Group 2 teams ranked 1–4 played off over two rounds, with the second round winners qualifying for the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. First round 01/02/2014 NEC Green Rockets 47–10 Kubota Spears 01/02/2014 Yamaha Jubilo 46–0 Toyota Industries Shuttles 02/02/2014 Canon Eagles 25–41 Kintetsu Liners 02/02/2014 Toyota Verblitz 32–17 Ricoh Black Rams Second round 08/02/2014 NEC Green Rockets 12–13 Yamaha Jubilo 08/02/2014 Kintetsu Liners 3–18 Toyota Verblitz So Yamaha and Toyota advanced to the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. Top League Challenge Series 2013–14 Top League Challenge Series Fukuoka Sanix Blues won promotion to the 2014–15 Top League via the 2013–14 Top League Challenge Series, while Honda Heat, Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars and Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars progressed to the promotion play-offs. Promotion and relegation play-offs The Top League teams in Group 2 ranked 5th, 6th, and 7th, played-off against the Challenge 1 teams ranked 4th, 3rd, and 2nd, respectively, for the right to be included in the Top League for the following season. 08/02/2014 Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 22–17 Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars 15/02/2014 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 41–29 Honda Heat 22/02/2014 NTT Com Shining Arcs 29–7 Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars So Coca-Cola West Red Sparks, NTT Docomo, and NTT remained in the Top League for the next season. End-of-season awards Results November 2013 At the end of season awards, Panasonic Wild Knights flyhalf Berrick Barnes was named Top League MVP, a day after helping his side to the league title. He was handed his trophy by Japan coach Eddie Jones. 12 February 2014 Barnes named Top League MVP Japan Rugby 16 February 2014 http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/component/k2/item/196-barnes-named-top-league-mvp dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140216221908/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/component/k2/item/196-barnes-named-top-league-mvp 16 February 2014 Team awards AwardWinner Top League winners: Panasonic Wild Knights Fair Play award: Best fans: Individual awards AwardWinner Top League MVP: AUS Berrick Barnes (Panasonic) Rookie award: JPN Keita Inagaki (Panasonic) and JPN Kyosuke Horie (Yamaha) Most tries: RSA Jaque Fourie (Kobe Steel) 17 tries Top scorer: JPN Ryan Nicholas (Suntory) Best kicker: JPN Ryan Nicholas (Suntory) Best referee: Playoffs MVP: Team of the season #Winner 1. JPN Keita Inagaki (Panasonic) 2. JPN Shota Horie (Panasonic) 3. JPN Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory) 4. JPN Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba) 5. AUS Daniel Heenan (Panasonic) 6. AUS George Smith (Suntory) 7. JPN Tadasuke Nishihara (Panasonic) 8. JPN Kyosuke Horie (Yamaha) 9. JPN Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory) 10. AUS Berrick Barnes (Panasonic) 11. JPN Akihito Yamada (Panasonic) 12. JPN Male Sa'u (Yamaha) 13. RSA Jaque Fourie (Kobe Steel) 14. JPN Tomoki Kitagawa (Panasonic) 15. JPN Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha) References 25em http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=96&Stagione=2013/14 2013/14 Top League The Rugby Archive live https://archive.today/20240527051221/https://www.webcitation.org/6VYL3iStW?url=http://www.peeep.us/d0906abd 27 May 2024 Category:Japan Rugby League One Category:2013–14 in Japanese rugby union Japan top