The Japan Rugby League One has received an immense influx of international talent, ahead of the 2023/24 season. The top stars of the All Blacks, Springboks and Wallabies are all heading to Japan, with the new season set to commence on December 9th.
This is the third iteration of the competition under the 'JRLO' branding, which was previously known as the Japan Top League. The competition is amongst the fastest growing leagues in the world, and boost an exciting array of talent throughout all of the teams. The top stars of Super Rugby often take a year's sabbatical out in Japan, as the league offers increased financial backing, which sets the players and their families up for life after rugby.
The current reigning champions of the JRLO are Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay. Better known as the Kubota Spears, the side recorded a narrow 17-15 win over Saitama Wild Knights in the final last May, to win their first league title. Japan first established their professional domestic league in 2003/04, wand Kobelco Kobe Steelers take the honour of winning the inaugural competition. Since then, the Steelers have added one more league title (2018/19), with the silverware dominated by three clubs.
Toshiba Brave Lupus (five titles), Suntory Sungoliath (five titles) and the Saitama Wild Knights (six titles) rule the roost in the Far East, and have each bolstered their ranks ahead of the new season. A total of 25 players from the 2023 Rugby World Cup will be in Japan this season, and 13 of which played in the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final when South Africa defeated New Zealand.
Here is RUCK's team by team run-down, of the 2023/24 Japan Rugby League One season
TOYOTA VERBLITZ
2022/23 FINISH: 6th
TOP PLAYERS:
Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa)
Kazuki Himeno (Japan)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Aaron Smith of New Zealand is tackled by Trevor Nyakane of South Africa and Marco van Staden of South Africa during the Test Match between New Zealand and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on August 25th 2023. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
TOKYO SUNTORY SUNGOLIATH
2022/23 FINISH: 4th (3rd Regular Season - Lost Bronze Medal Match vs Cannon Eagles)
TOP PLAYERS:
Samu Kerevi (Australia)
Isaiah Punavai (New Zealand)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Cheslin Kolbe of Toulouse drives forwards during the European Champions Cup Final match between La Rochelle and Toulouse at Twickenham Stadium, London on May 22 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK
Cheslin Kolbe (South Africa)
Gareth Anscombe (Wales)
Sam Cane (New Zealand) (Sabattical)
YOKOHAMA CANON EAGLES
2022/23 FINISH: 3rd (4th Regular Season - Won Bronze Medal Match vs Suntory Sungoliath)
TOP PLAYERS:
Mitchell Brown (New Zealand)
Jacobus van Dyk (South Africa)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
Jesse Kriel (South Africa)
TOSHIBA BRAVE LUPUS
2022/23 FINISH: 5th
TOP PLAYERS:
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Japan captain Michael Leitch addresses the media during a Japan Press Conference at the Hilton Hotel on September 21, 2015 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Michael Leitch (Japan)
Jack Stratton (New Zealand)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Richie Mo'unga (New Zealand)
Shannon Frizzell (New Zealand)
SAITAMA WILD KNIGHTS
2022/23 FINISH: 2nd (1st Regular Season - Lost Final vs Kubota Spears)
TOP PLAYERS:
Lood de Jager (South Africa)
Jack Cornelsen (Japan)
Shota Horie (Japan)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Damien de Allende (South Africa)
Marika Koroibete (Australia)
KOBELCO KOBE STEELERS
2022/23 FINISH: 9th
TOP PLAYERS:
Ngani Laumape (New Zealand)
Ben Smith (New Zealand)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
KUBOTA SPEARS
2022/23 FINISH: Champions (2nd Regular Season - Won Final vs Saitama Wild Knights)
TOP PLAYERS:
Schalk Erasmus (South Africa)
Malcolm Marx (South Africa - Injured)
Bernard Foley (Australia)
Lappies Labuschagne (Japan)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Liam Williams (Wales)
Dane Coles (New Zealand)
HANAZONO KINTETSU LINERS
2022/23 FINISH: 12th (Won Promotion-Relegation Play Off vs Urayasu D-Rocks)
TOP PLAYERS:
Quade Cooper (Australia)
Will Genia (Australia)
Jackson Garden-Bachop (New Zealand)
Jed Brown (New Zealand)
MITSUBISHI DYNABORES
2022/23 FINISH: 10th (Won Promotion-Relegation Play Off vs Toyota Shuttles)
TOP PLAYERS:
Curtis Rona (Australia)
Matt To'omua (Australia)
Honeti Taumohaapai (Tonga/Japan)
BLACK RAMS TOKYO
2022/23 FINISH: 7th
TOP PLAYERS:
Nathan Hughes of Bristol Bears is all smiles as he celebrates Max Malins of Bristol Bears second try during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Semi Final Match between Bristol Bears and Harlequins at Ashton Gate on 19 Jun. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Nathan Hughes (England)
Hadleigh Parkes (Wales)
Josh Goodhue (New Zealand)
SHIZUOAKA BLUE REVS
2022/23 FINISH: 8th
TOP PLAYERS:
Bryn Hall (New Zealand)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Charles Piutau of Bristol Bears on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Gloucester Rugby and Bristol Bears at Kingsholm Stadium on December 3 2021 in Gloucester, England. (Photo by Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
Charles Piutau (Tonga)
Kwagga Smith (South Africa)
MIE HONDA HEAT
2022/23 FINISH: 2nd (Promoted from Division 2)
TOP PLAYERS:
Tevita Li (New Zealand)
Paul Schoeman (South Africa)
Mitchell Hunt (New Zealand)
STAR SIGNINGS:
Franco Mostert (South Africa)
