The test stars set to dominate 2022 Japan Rugby League One season
Super Rugby Pacific is still a month-and-a-half away from kick-off, but footy fans in the Asia-Pacific corner of the globe can get their rugby fix as early as this weekend when the opening round of the new-look Japan Rugby League One kicks-off.
The revamped competition – which was formerly known as the Top League and is now fully professional – gets underway in its fresh format on Friday when the Kubota Spears host the Wild Knights at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
That will kick-off the league, which is split into three divisions and will feature a raft of test stars both from Japan and around the rugby world.
In anticipation of the tournament kicking off, we take a look at a XV made up of the top talent set to grace the Japan Rugby League One this season.
1. Keita Inagaki
Club: Saitama Wild Knights
Age: 31
Nation: Japan
Test caps: 39
A four-time Top League title-winner with the Wild Knights, including last year, Keita Inagaki is one of Japan’s most experienced players. The Niigata-born product has played 39 test since his Brave Blossoms debut in 2014 and featured in all nine matches of Japan’s historic two World Cup campaigns in 2015 and 2019.
Honourable mentions: Craig Millar (Saitama Wild Knights), Isileli Nakajima (Kobelco Kobe Steelers)
2. Malcolm Marx
Club: Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay
Age: 27
Nation: South Africa
Test caps: 46
One of the world’s premier hookers, Malcolm Marx returns to Japan for a third season of club rugby. After numerous campaigns with the Lions in Super Rugby, the 2019 World Cup winner packed his bags and joined the Shining Arcs in 2020 before switching to the Kubota Spears last year.
Honourable mentions: Atsushi Sakate (Saitama Wild Knights), Shota Horie (Saitama Wild Knights), Ash Dixon (Green Rockets Tokatsu)
3. Koo Ji-won
Club: Kobelco Kobe Steelers
Age: 27
Nation: Japan
Test caps: 18
Another standout Japanese prop, Koo Ji-won was also part of Japan’s stunning run to the 2019 World Cup knockout stages, starting in his side’s famous wins over Ireland and Scotland, as well as their quarter-final against the Springboks. At club level, the South Korean-born tighthead was formerly a member of the Honda Heat.
Honourable mentions: Asaeli Ai Valu (Saitama Wild Knights), Paddy Ryan (Munakata Sanix Blues)
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
Club: Toyota Verblitz
Age: 28
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: 41
Joining Toyota Verblitz from the Blues and New Zealand Rugby as part of a season-long sabbatical deal, Patrick Tuipulotu adds physicality and leadership to his new team’s second row. The experienced lock has been an All Black since 2014 and captained the Blues to their first title since 2003 when they won Super Rugby Trans-Tasman last year.
Honourable mentions: Jake Ball (Green Rockets Tokatsu), Cory Hill (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Jackson Hemopo (Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars), Jack Cornelsen (Saitama Wild Knights), Ben Nee-Nee (Kamaishi Seawaves)
5. Franco Mostert
Club: Mie Honda Heat
Age: 31
Nation: South Africa
Test caps: 51
Another member of South Africa’s World Cup-winning squad of 2019, Franco Mostert has become a veteran of the Japanese club game after joining the Black Rams in 2016. The current Springboks star then left to link up with Gloucester in England two years later, but returned to Japan in 2020 to sign with the Honda Heat.
Honourable mentions: George Kruis (Saitama Wild Knights), James Moore (Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu), Tom Franklin (Kobelco Kobe Steelers)
6. Pieter-Steph du Toit
Club: Toyota Verblitz
Age: 29
Nation: South Africa
Test caps: 58
As the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year, Springboks behemoth Pieter-Steph du Toit is arguably the biggest acquisition of the League One off-season. Joining Toyota Verblitz from the Stormers, the 2019 World Cup winner will be hoping to get back to his best in Japan after an injury-riddled campaign in 2021.
Honourable mentions: Ben Gunter (Saitama Wild Knights), Ned Hanigan (Kurita Water Gush), Hendrik Tui (Tokyo Sungoliath)
7. Kwagga Smith
Club: Shizuoka Blue Revs
Age: 28
Nation: South Africa
Test caps: 19
A key member of the current Springboks squad, Kwagga Smith returns for a fourth season with the Shizuoka Blue Revs, formerly known as Yamaha Jubilo. When he first moved to Japan in 2018, the 2019 World Cup winner balanced his domestic duties with the Lions in Super Rugby, but signed on with the Blue Revs on a full-time basis in 2020.
Honourable mentions: Sean McMahon (Tokyo Sungoliath), Lappies Labuschagne (Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay), Matt Todd (Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo), Liam Gill (Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu), Blair Cowan (Black Rams Tokyo)
8. Kazuki Himeno
Club: Toyota Verblitz
Age: 27
Nation: Japan
Test caps: 22
One of Japan’s key players at the 2019 World Cup, Kazuki Himeno returns to Toyota Verblitz following a one-off spell with the Highlanders in Super Rugby last year. The Brave Blossoms star impressed during his time at the Dunedin-based franchise, and will be hoping to carry that form with him into the new domestic season.
Honourable mentions: Michael Leitch (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Isi Naisarani (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Tevita Tatafu (Tokyo Sungoliath), Amanaki Mafi (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Nasi Manu (Hino Red Dolphins)
9. Will Genia
Club: Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
Age: 33
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 110
An undoubted Australian great, Will Genia is back for his third season in Japanese club rugby with the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. A Wallabies centurion whose test career spanned a decade and three World Cups, the Papua New Guinea-born star will be eyeing promotion from Division 2 to Division 1 come the end of the season.
Honourable mentions: Greig Laidlaw (Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu), Yutaka Nagare (Tokyo Sungoliath), Naoto Saito (Tokyo Sungoliath), Fumiaki Tanaka (Green Rockets Tokatsu), Augustine Pulu (Hino Red Dolphins)
10. Quade Cooper
Club: Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
Age: 33
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 75
At the centre of rugby’s greatest comeback story in 2021, Quade Cooper didn’t continue his fairytale return to the Wallabies on their European end-of-year tour. Instead, he returned to Japan early to link back up with Genia, his long-time halves partner, in a bid to steer Kintetsu to the top division of League One.
Honourable mentions: Elton Jantjies (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes Osaka), Aaron Cruden (Kobelco Kobe Steelers), Bernard Foley (Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay), Yu Tamura (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Colin Slade (Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars), Tom Taylor (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Brett Cameron (Kamaishi Seawaves)
11. Marika Koroibete
Club: Saitama Wild Knights
Age: 29
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 42
Among the stars of Australia’s 2021 test campaign, Marika Koroibete secured his long-term future by inking a lucrative multi-year deal to join the Wild Knights. As such, the Fijian-born flyer’s presence in the club’s roster is set to make the reigning champions all the more stronger in 2022.
Honourable mentions: Ataata Moeakiola (Kobelco Kobe Steelers)
12. Samu Kerevi
Club: Tokyo Sungoliath
Age: 28
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 38
A World Rugby Player of the Year nominee and an Olympic sevens athlete in 2021, much will be expected from Wallabies star Samu Kerevi in his third season with Tokyo Sungoliath. A barnstorming ball carrier, the Fijian-born midfielder should flourish on Japan’s fast tracks against typically soft defences.
Honourable mentions: Ryan Crotty (Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay), Hurimichi Tatekawa (Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay), Hadleigh Parkes (Saitama Wild Knights), Phil Burleigh (Kyuden Voltex)
13. Jesse Kriel
Club: Yokohama Canon Eagles
Age: 27
Nation: South Africa
Test caps: 51
A long-serving Springbok who was also part of South Africa’s 2019 World Cup success, Jesse Kriel continues his second stint in Japanese club rugby with the Canon Eagles, who he first joined in 2020. Prior to that, the ex-Bulls star had spent a single season with the NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes during the 2015-16 Super Rugby off-season.
Honourable mentions: Tim Lafaele (Kobelco Kobe Steelers), Dylan Riley (Saitama Wild Knights), Will Tupou (Toyota Verblitz), Seta Tamanivalu (Toshiba Brave Lupus), Nick Grigg (NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes)
14. Israel Folau
Club: Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu
Age: 32
Nation: Australia
Test caps: 73
One of rugby’s most controversial characters, it can’t be denied the talents that former Wallabies star Israel Folau possesses. Those talents will return to rugby union for the first time since he was sensationally sacked by Rugby Australia in 2019 as he has signed for the Shining Arcs this season.
Honourable mentions: Joe Tomane (Black Rams Tokyo), Lomano Lemeki (Green Rockets Tokatsu), Matt Duffie (Mie honda Heat)
15. Damian McKenzie
Club: Tokyo Sungoliath
Age: 26
Nation: New Zealand
Test caps: 40
Rivalling Du Toit and Folau as the biggest signing of the new season, All Blacks star Damian McKenzie has joined Tokyo Sungoliath as Beauden Barrett’s replacement after letting his New Zealand Rugby contract run out. Set to return to New Zealand later this year, McKenzie will be targeting a League One title during his stay in Japan.
Honourable mentions: Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz), Semisi Masirewa (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners)
Japan Rugby League One will be will be free to view in the U.S. and Canada on The Rugby Network, with two live games per week, and available on-demand shortly after.
Comments on RugbyPass
Just came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
4 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
4 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
4 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
4 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
3 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
3 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
228 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
88 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
228 Go to comments