Top League season on the brink, could lead to influx of players to New Zealand, Australia
The 2020 Top League was called to a halt after just six rounds of completed matches last year, with the season terminated due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. With the pandemic continuing to ravage Japan, the 2021 season could now be heading in the same direction.
Already, the opening round fixtures between Toyota Verblitz and Suntory Sungoliath, and Ricoh Black Rams and Canon Eagles have been called off. Players from three of those four clubs, alongside two players from Toshiba Brave Lupus, have tested positive for coronavirus – also putting the game between Toshiba and NTT Communications Shining Arcs at risk.
Japan have declared a state of emergency for Tokyo and the prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, and Kanagawa, with Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures in the Kansai region, as well as Aichi and Gifu prefectures likely to be added in the coming days due to rising COVID-19 rates in those areas.
Despite the pandemic’s presence, throngs of fans are likely to be in attendance for any matches that go ahead over the coming weekends. A new 5,000 person limit has been imposed but it won’t be enforced on any events where tickets have already been sold.
Last year’s season was suspended following the sixth week of action, initially just for a two-week period due to the ever-spreading pandemic. The suspension was then extended for a further three weeks – allegedly as a consequence of one player testing positive for a banned substance – before the competition was called off altogether.
Japan’s current situation is far more dire, however, with daily infections peaking at over 7,000 per day in early January. In contrast, the 2020 Top League season was called off when Japan was experiencing not even a 10th as many daily cases last April.
RugbyPass understands that Top League officials are now deliberating significantly reducing the length of the 2021 season or calling it off altogether – although there are still hopes that the competition can continue as scheduled.
A complete cancellation would be a disastrous turn of events for the nation that won over so many fans thanks to their performance at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
When the Top League was in full-swing last year, record crowds were in attendance to catch a glimpse of the superstars of 2019, with plenty of Japanese representatives as well as foreign marquee players turning out for clubs across Japan.
The cancelled season, however, would have inevitably taken some wind out of Japan’s sails. The national side also failed to take the field in 2020, further hampering the country’s rugby development.
While many of the Top League’s foreign imports would have no doubt appreciated a seriously condensed season last year, two seasons in a row without much rugby could leave some players desperate for minutes.
Former All Blacks loose forward Elliot Dixon used the break to undertake some much-needed surgery while Brodie Retallick, who is now entering the second season of his Japan sabbatical, spent the time off recuperating on his family farm.
Players at the tail-end of their careers might not consider a second season off as a huge dent in their plans, especially if they are still compensated in full, but many players across Japan will be craving some action – which could open the door for some to make a return to their home nations.
Over 50 New Zealanders are contracted to Top League teams for the 2021 season, including former All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith, Kieran Read and Colin Slade. Japanese talisman Michael Leitch was also born in New Zealand and previously represented the Chiefs.
It’s a similar story for Australia, with recent Wallabies such as Michael Hooper, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Bernard Foley and Samu Kerevi all contracted to Japanese sides.
While New Zealand and Australian Super Rugby sides have well and truly locked in their squads for the coming season, they may suddenly find a host of former internationals knocking on their doors trying to find somewhere to play their rugby.
While Highlanders fans would no doubt welcome the return of Ben Smith, and Reds supporters would love to see their young side boosted by some extra experience in the form of Samu Kerevi, the ideal scenario would naturally see the Top League progress as initially planned.
As much as some NZ and Australian teams may benefit from having former players back in the mix, Japanese rugby would gain so much more from operating an uninterrupted, star-studded Top League season.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments