2014–15 Top League Panasonic win the Lixil Cup for season 2014–15.
Countries Japan Date 22 August 2014 – 1 February 2015 Champions Panasonic Wild Knights (3rd title)
Runners-up Yamaha Júbilo Matches played 115 Top point scorer Berrick Barnes (156 pts)
Panasonic Wild Knights Top try scorer Nemani Nadolo (11 tries)
NEC Green Rockets (11 tries)
Kobelco Steelers Kyosuke Horie (11 tries)
Yamaha Júbilo
The 2014–15 Top League was the 12th season of Japan 's domestic rugby union competition, the Top League . It kicked off on 30 August 2014. The final was held on 8 February 2015 and won by Panasonic Wild Knights , 30–12 over Yamaha Júbilo .
Teams [ ]
The only change to the make-up of the league was the Top Kyushu champion team Fukuoka Sanix replacing Kyuden Voltex.[1] [2]
Team
Region
Coach
Captain
Canon Eagles
Machida, Tokyo , Kantō
Zane Hilton
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
Fukuoka , Kyūshū
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Fukuoka , Kyūshū
Kintetsu Liners
Higashiosaka, Osaka , Kansai
Kobelco Steelers
Kobe , Kansai
Gary Gold
Daiki Hashimoto
Kubota Spears
Funabashi, Chiba , Kantō
Toutai Kefu
NEC Green Rockets
Abiko, Chiba , Kantō
Masao Amino
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Osaka , Kansai
NTT Com Shining Arcs
Chiba, Chiba , Kantō
Rob Penney
Panasonic Wild Knights
Ota, Gunma , Kantō
Robbie Deans
Shota Horie
Ricoh Black Rams
Tokyo , Kantō
Damien Hill
Suntory Sungoliath
Fuchū, Tokyo , Kantō
Andy Friend
Shinya Makabe
Toshiba Brave Lupus
Fuchū, Tokyo , Kantō
Teppei Tomioka
Toyota Industries Shuttles
Aichi , Mizuho
Tai McIsaac
Toyota Verblitz
Toyota, Aichi , Tokai
Filo Tiatia
Yamaha Júbilo
Iwata, Shizuoka , Tokai
Katsuyuki Kiyomiya
Yuhimaru Mimura
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 2015–16.
Standings [ ]
Group stage tables [ ]
Top League - Group Stage
Group 1
Club
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points For
Points Against
Points Difference
Try Bonus
Losing Bonus
Start Points
Points
1
Kobelco Steelers
7
5
0
2
242
113
+129
4
1
4
29
2
Panasonic Wild Knights
7
5
0
2
218
131
+87
5
0
4
29
3
Toshiba Brave Lupus
7
5
0
2
213
147
+66
4
1
3
28
4
Yamaha Júbilo
7
5
0
2
165
134
+31
4
1
2
27
5
Suntory Sungoliath
7
5
0
2
171
157
+14
3
0
3
26
6
Toyota Verblitz
7
2
0
5
126
198
-72
2
0
1
11
7
Canon Eagles
7
1
0
6
116
224
-108
1
1
2
8
8
NTT Com Shining Arcs
7
0
0
7
99
246
-147
0
1
1
2
Updated: 11 January 2015
Source: rugbyarchive.net [3]
• 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 2
Club
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points For
Points Against
Points Difference
Try Bonus
Losing Bonus
Start Points
Points
1
Ricoh Black Rams
7
6
0
1
199
102
+97
4
1
3
32
2
NEC Green Rockets
7
5
0
2
148
114
+34
3
1
3
27
3
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
7
5
0
2
235
166
+69
4
1
1
26
4
Kintetsu Liners
7
4
0
3
167
168
-1
4
1
4
25
5
Kubota Spears
7
4
0
3
151
127
+24
2
2
4
24
6
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
7
2
0
5
143
194
-51
4
1
2
15
7
Toyota Industries Shuttles
7
1
0
6
110
193
-83
1
1
2
8
8
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
7
1
0
6
147
236
-89
2
1
1
8
Updated: 11 January 2015
Source: rugbyarchive.net [3]
• 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 2015–16.
• 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: rugbyarchive.net [3]
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 [ ]
show Top League - Pool Stage
Pool A
Club
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points For
Points Against
Points Difference
Try Bonus
Losing Bonus
Points
1
Panasonic Wild Knights
7
6
0
1
308
116
+192
5
0
29
2
Toshiba Brave Lupus
7
5
0
2
218
141
+77
4
2
26
3
Yamaha Júbilo
7
4
1
2
227
113
+114
5
2
25
4
NTT Com Shining Arcs
7
4
0
3
172
169
+3
3
2
21
5
Kubota Spears
7
3
1
3
171
201
-30
3
1
18
6
NEC Green Rockets
7
2
0
5
194
233
-39
3
3
14
7
Toyota Industries Shuttles
7
2
0
5
123
249
-126
1
0
9
8
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
7
1
0
6
129
320
-191
2
0
6
Updated: 20 October 2014
Source: rugbyarchive.net [3]
• 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 B
Club
Played
Won
Drawn
Lost
Points For
Points Against
Points Difference
Try Bonus
Losing Bonus
Points
1
Kobelco Steelers
7
6
1
0
182
106
+76
3
0
29
2
Suntory Sungoliath
7
6
0
1
202
137
+65
3
1
28
3
Canon Eagles
7
4
0
3
184
142
+42
4
3
23
4
Toyota Verblitz
7
4
1
2
157
145
+12
2
2
22
5
Kintetsu Liners
7
4
0
3
182
175
+7
4
2
22
6
Ricoh Black Rams
7
2
0
5
183
160
+23
3
3
14
7
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
7
1
0
6
90
210
-120
0
2
6
8
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
7
0
0
7
117
219
-102
2
3
5
Updated: 20 October 2014
Source: rugbyarchive.net [3]
• 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: rugbyarchive.net [3]
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 [ ]
Round 1 [ ]
22 August 2014
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
17–21
Kintetsu Liners
Kincho Stadium
show
Try: 71' c 79' cCon: (1) 71', (1) 80'Pen: (1) 41'
Try: 24' c 32' c 48' cCon: (3) 24', 32', 48'
24 August 2014
Kobelco Steelers
19–17
Ricoh Black Rams
Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium
show
Try: Taniguchi 59' cCon: (1) 59'Pen: (4) 13', 18', 64', 78'
Try: 36' c 74' cCon: (2) 36', 74'Pen: (1) 2'
Round 2 [ ]
30 August 2014
Toyota Industries Shuttles
31–14
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Toyota Stadium
show
Try: Gerrard 6' cSakai 13' c, 57' c Penalty Try 77' cCon: Barnes (4) 6', 13', 57', 77'Pen: Barnes (1) 34'
Try: 25' 35' cCon: (2) 25', 35'
30 August 2014
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
15–9
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Level-5 Stadium
show
Try: 5' 53' cCon: (1) 53'Pen: (1) 40'
Pen: Viljoen (3) 18', 25', 28'
31 August 2014
NEC Green Rockets
7–55
Yamaha Júbilo
Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium
show
Try: Goto 19' cCon: Tamura (1) 19'
Try: Hino 4', 59' c 10', Piutau 42' c, 49' c, 66' c, 73' c 71' cCon: Goromaru (6) 42', 49', 59', 66', 71', 73'Drop: (1) 79'
Round 3 [ ]
6 September 2014
Kintetsu Liners
28–23
Ricoh Black Rams
Kincho Stadium
show
Try: Fairbanks 32' c 53' c 60'Con: (2) 32', 53'Pen: Taylor (1) 15' (2) 24', 30'
Try: 19' c 47' cCon: (2) 19', 47'Pen: (3) 3', 27', 75'
6 September 2014
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
19–31
Toyota Verblitz
Kincho Stadium
show
Try: Brüssow 14' c 29' 36' cCon: Viljoen (2) 14', 36'
Try: 1' c 19' c 39' c 49' cCon: (4) 1', 19', 39', 49'Pen: (1) 59'
6 September 2014
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
36–31
NEC Green Rockets
Level-5 Stadium
show
Try: Potgieter 17' c, 49' c 34', 47' c Lemalu 69' cCon: Sweeney (3) 17', 47', 49' 69'Pen: Sweeney (1) 11'
Try: 5' c 12' Brew 29' c 53' c 77'Con: Tamura (3) 5', 29', 53'
Round 4 [ ]
12 September 2014
Toshiba Brave Lupus
30–26
NEC Green Rockets
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
show
19:30
Try: 2' Toyosima 18' c, 66' Kahui 48' cCon: Ogawa (2) 18', 48'Pen: Ogawa (2) 14', 27'
Try: Brew 35' c Nadolo 75' cCon: Tamura (1) 35' Nadolo (1) 75'Pen: Tamura (4) 40', 55', 60', 64'
13 September 2014
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
12–52
Yamaha Júbilo
Tosu Stadium
show
16:40
Try: 24' Hesketh 74' cCon: (1) 74'
Try: Tuiali'i 4' c, 31' Horie 15' c, 39' c 45' c, 54' c, 67' 80' cCon: Goromaru (5) 4', 15', 39', 45', 80' (1) 54'
13 September 2014
Suntory Sungoliath
38–26
Ricoh Black Rams
Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium
show
18:00
Try: Nakazuru 17' c Nishikawa 27' c 33' c Tui 46' c, Burger 61' cCon: Pisi (3) 17', 27', 33' Ono 46', 61'Pen: Pisi (1) 20'
Try: 41', 67' c Bourke 71' c 77' cCon: (3) 67', 71', 77'
13 September 2014
Toyota Industries Shuttles
5–54
Panasonic Wild Knights
Suzuka Sports Garden
show
19:05
Try: Vaka 25'
Try: Heenan 2' c 33' c Yamada 39' c, 58' c Tanaka 54' c Yatabe 80' cCon: (6) 2', 33', 39', 54', 58', 80'Pen: (4) 15', 23', 29', 31'
13 September 2014
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
26–36
Kobelco Steelers
Restoration Centennial Park
show
18:00
Try: 54' c, 75' c 59' c, 64'Con: Viljoen (2) 54', 59' 75' c
Try: Bekker 13' 33' c Penalty Try 46' c 50' c Anderson 66' cCon: Morita (4) 33', 46', 50', 66'Pen: Morita (1) 32', 57'
14 September 2014
Canon Eagles
36–31
Kintetsu Liners
K's denki Stadium Mito
show
16:00
Try: 8' c 19' c 45' c Thomson 58' Bond 73' cCon: (4) 8', 19', 45', 73'Pen: (1) 43'
Try: Fairbanks 41' c, 52' c Samo 66' c 80' cCon: (4) 41', 52', 66', 80'Pen: (1) 22'
14 September 2014
Kubota Spears
29–27
NTT Com Shining Arcs
K's denki Stadium Mito
show
18:20
Try: 26' c 41' Tanaka 54'Con: Tatekawa (1) 26'Pen: Tatekawa (4) 10', 51', 64', 80'
Try: 17' c Saunders 34' c Mafi 66' cCon: Jantjies (3) 17', 34', 66'Pen: Jantjies (2) 14', 58'
Round 5 [ ]
20 September 2014
Toyota Industries Shuttles
10–35
Toshiba Brave Lupus
Mizuho Rugby Stadium
show
16:40
Try: Fifita 63' 75'
Try: Bates 26', 41' c, 54' c 80' cCon: Ogawa (3) 41', 54', 80'Pen: Steyn (1) 9' Ogawa (2) 39', 44'
20 September 2014
Toyota Verblitz
31–38
Kintetsu Liners
Mizuho Rugby Stadium
show
19:00
Try: 12' c 25' c, 55' c 77' cCon: (4) 12', 25', 55', 77'Pen: (1) 33'
Try: 17' c 38' c Taylor 49' Penalty Try 69' cCon: (3) 17', 38', 69'Pen: (4) 7', 44', 58', 80'
21 September 2014
NTT Com Shining Arcs
32–31
NEC Green Rockets
Ishinomaki Stadium
show
13:00
Try: 31' 52' c Penalty Try 58' c 61' cCon: Jantjies (3) 52', 58', 61'Pen: Jantjies (1) 37'Drop: Jantjies (1) 75'
Try: 10' c Nadolo 28', 67' Latu 65' c 69' cCon: Nadolo (1) 10' Tamura (2) 65', 69'
21 September 2014
Panasonic Wild Knights
80–7
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Ashikaga City Sports Park Stadium
show
15:00
Try: Kitagawa 15' c, 19' c, 36', 55' 23' c Whitelock 30' c, 66' c, 73' c Holani 45' c Horie 48' c 62' c Barnes 80' cCon: (6) 15', 19', 23', 30', 45', 48' Barnes (4) 62', 66', 73', 80'
Try: Robins 9' cCon: (1) 9'
Round 6 [ ]
11 October 2014
Ricoh Black Rams
31–24
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Morioka Minami Stadium
show
12:00
Try: 6' c 41' c 46', 59' Bourke 62' cCon: (3) 6', 41', 62'
Try: Brüssow 15' 54' 65' c 68' cCon: (2) 65', 68'
11 October 2014
Kubota Spears
24–29
Toyota Industries Shuttles
Morioka Minami Stadium
show
14:05
Try: 26' c Tatekawa 61' c 65' Tanaka 75'Con: Tatekawa (2) 26', 61'
Try: 50' c Gerrard 56' cCon: Onishi (2) 50', 56'Pen: Onishi (2) 12', 16' Gerrard (3) 44', 64', 79'
11 October 2014
Kintetsu Liners
30–31
Suntory Sungoliath
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: 34' c, 61' 55' 77' cCon: (2) 34', 77'Pen: (2) 25', 42'
Try: Ozawa 12' c, 57' c 50' c Hiwasa 70' cCon: Pisi (3) 12', 50', 57' (1) 70'Pen: Pisi (1) 31'
11 October 2014
NEC Green Rockets
21–44
Panasonic Wild Knights
Kashiwanoha Park Stadium
show
13:00
Try: Goto 34' c, 65' c Nadolo 76' cCon: Tamura (3) 34', 65', 76'
Try: Kitagawa 5' c 16' c Barnes 28' c Yamada 56' c, Kawamata 79' cCon: Barnes (4) 5', 16', 28', 56' (1) 79'Pen: Barnes (3) 25', 38', 70'
12 October 2014
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
21–59
Toshiba Brave Lupus
Coca-Cola West Hiroshima Stadium
show
14:05
Try: 47' c Thomson 68' c Everingham 78' cCon: Sweeney (2) 47', 78' (1) 68'
Try: Kahui 1' c, 60' c Hirose 13' c 20' c, 39' 34', 44' c, 52' c, 80' cCon: Ogawa (6) 1', 13', 20', 44', 52', 60' (1) 80'
12 October 2014
NTT Com Shining Arcs
29–26
Yamaha Júbilo
Toyama Athletic Stadium
show
13:00
Try: 32' c 37' 47' c 67' cCon: Jantjies (2) 32', 47' (1) 67'Pen: Jantjies (1) 16'
Try: 4' c Horie 11' c Hino 25' c Sa'u 43'Con: Goromaru (3) 4', 11', 25'
Round 7 [ ]
19 October 2014
Suntory Sungoliath
61–12
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
show
14:00
Try: Pisi 32' c, 42' c, 50' c 38' c 53' c, 72' c Nakazuru 61', 78' c 67' cCon: Pisi (5) 32', 38', 42', 50', 53' Ono (3) 67', 72', 78'
Try: Paea 3', 22' cCon: Viljoen (1) 22'
19 October 2014
Kintetsu Liners
31–14
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
12:00
Try: 12' c 37' c 41' c 56' cCon: (4) 12', 37', 41', 56'Pen: (1) 50'
Try: Kuwazuru 30' c 80' cCon: (1) 30' (1) 80'
19 October 2014
Yamaha Júbilo
19–14
Toshiba Brave Lupus
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: 35' cCon: Goromaru (1) 35'Pen: Goromaru (4) 5', 11', 19', 29'
Try: 53'Pen: Ogawa (3) 2', 15', 33'
19 October 2014
NEC Green Rockets
54–33
Toyota Industries Shuttles
ND Soft Stadium Yamagata
show
13:00
Try: Murata 16' c, 26' c 49' c, 78' c Nadolo 56' c, 59', 72' c 76' cCon: Tamura (7) 16', 26', 49', 56', 72', 76', 78'
Try: Vaka 22' c, 65' c Kankowski 69' cCon: Onishi (3) 22', 65', 69'Pen: Gerrard (3) 1', 13', 39' Onishi (1) 32'
19 October 2014
Panasonic Wild Knights
43–13
NTT Com Shining Arcs
Ota Athletic Stadium
show
13:00
Try: 2' c, 60' c 72' c 75' cCon: Barnes (2) 2', 60' (2) 72', 75'Pen: Barnes (4) 8', 10', 44', 51' (1) 79'
Try: 4' cCon: (1) 4'Pen: (2) 23', 40'
Group stage [ ]
Round 1 [ ]
28 November 2014
NTT Com Shining Arcs
11–35
Canon Eagles
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
show
19:30
Try: 6'Pen: Jantjies (2) 20', 47'
Try: Penalty Try 37' c 77' cCon: (2) 37', 77'Pen: (7) 17', 26', 34', 44', 52', 67', 73'
29 November 2014
Toyota Industries Shuttles
17–38
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Mizuho Rugby Stadium
show
11:40
Try: Vatuvei 56' c, 80' cCon: Onishi (2) 56', 80'Pen: Onishi (1) 21'
Try: 7' c 13' 36' Viljoen 49' 64' cCon: (1) 7' Viljoen (1) 64'Pen: (3) 43', 48', 76'
29 November 2014
Kintetsu Liners
12–8
NEC Green Rockets
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
12:00
Pen: (3) 19', 70', 75' Taylor (1) 77'
Try: Latu 50'Pen: Tamura (1) 72'
29 November 2014
Kobelco Steelers
20–30
Toshiba Brave Lupus
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: 15' Kizu 54' c 65'Con: Yamanaka (1) 54'Pen: (1) 48'
Try: Penalty Try 24' c 69' c Bates 74' cCon: Ogawa (1) 24' (2) 69', 74'Pen: Ogawa (3) 7', 14', 42'
30 November 2014
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
16–21
Ricoh Black Rams
Global Arena
show
13:00
Try: Everingham 78' cCon: (1) 78'Pen: Sweeney (3) 5', 14', 48'
Try: 21' Bourke 67' cCon: (1) 67'Pen: (3) 12', 34', 51'
Round 2 [ ]
7 December 2014
Kubota Spears
17–6
Toyota Industries Shuttles
Mizuho Rugby Stadium
show
11:40
Try: 7' c, 62' cCon: Tatekawa (2) 7', 62'Pen: Tatekawa (1) 53'
Pen: Gerrard (2) 4', 31'
7 December 2014
Kintetsu Liners
8–34
Ricoh Black Rams
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
12:00
Try: 80'Pen: (1) 30'
Try: 25' c, 34' c 51' c 57' cCon: (4) 25', 34', 51', 57'Pen: (2) 5', 16'
7 December 2014
Kobelco Steelers
20–10
Suntory Sungoliath
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: Bekker 68' c Wing 77' cCon: Yamanaka (2) 68', 77'Pen: Yamanaka (1) 40'Drop: (1) 26'
Try: Sasaki 54' cCon: Ono (1) 54'Pen: Ono (1) 22'
7 December 2014
NEC Green Rockets
34–17
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
City Park Stadium
show
12:00
Try: Nadolo 18' c, 55' c 46' c 49' cCon: Tamura (4) 18', 46', 49', 55' (2) 74', 78'Pen: Tamura (2) 3', 15'
Try: 22' c 68' cCon: Sweeney (1) 22' (1) 68'Pen: Sweeney (1) 10'
Round 3 [ ]
13 December 2014
Kubota Spears
36–11
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
12:00
Try: 6' Toe'ava 18', 44' Daniel 46' c, 48' c 67' cCon: Tatekawa (3) 46', 48', 67'
Try: 34'Pen: Sweeney (2) 23', 39'
13 December 2014
Kintetsu Liners
30–27
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: 16' 49' 71' c 73' cCon: (2) 71', 73'Pen: (1) 24' (1) 80'
Try: 20' c Viljoen 35' c 55' cCon: (3) 20', 35', 55'Pen: (1) 52'Drop: Paea (1) 59'
13 December 2014
Yamaha Júbilo
26–9
NTT Com Shining Arcs
Yamaha Stadium
show
13:00
Try: 35' c Penalty Try 74' cCon: Goromaru (2) 35', 74'Pen: Goromaru (4) 5', 17', 51', 72'
Pen: Jantjies (3) 21', 28', 43'
13 December 2014
NEC Green Rockets
32–28
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
Gionsu Stadium
show
13:00
Try: Latu 14' 20' 22' c Nadolo 44' c, 54'Con: Tamura (2) 22', 44'Pen: Tamura (1) 34'
Try: Bateman 30' c 60' c 71' c 73' cCon: (1) 30' (3) 60', 71' 73'
14 December 2014
Ricoh Black Rams
36–0
Toyota Industries Shuttles
Kansuta Stadium
show
14:00
Try: Bourke 27' c 69' c 71' c 74' Kauhenga 78' cCon: (4) 27', 69', 71', 78'Pen: (1) 10'
Round 4 [ ]
20 December 2014
Ricoh Black Rams
26–27
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
show
11:40
Try: Kauhenga 1' c 27' c 51' Penalty Try 70' cCon: (3) 1', 27', 70'
Try: 35' c 41' c 45' cCon: (3) 35', 41', 45'Pen: (2) 5', 73'
21 December 2014
Toyota Industries Shuttles
46–14
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Mizuho Rugby Stadium
show
11:40
Try: Gerrard 10' c, 36' c Vatuvei 34' c 42' c, 73' c 59'Con: Onishi (5) 10', 34', 36', 42', 73'Pen: Onishi (2) 30', 65'
Try: Hesketh (2) 46' c, 62' cCon: (1) 46' (1) 62'
21 December 2014
Suntory Sungoliath
47–28
Canon Eagles
Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium
show
13:00
Try: Burger 1' c, 10' Aruga 39' c Sasaki 42' c Tui 64' c Matsushima 68' c Pisi 77' cCon: Ono (3) 1', 39', 42' Pisi (3) 64', 68', 77'
Try: Bond 23' c 52' c 57' c Lowe 74' cCon: (3) 23', 52', 57' (1) 74'
21 December 2014
Kubota Spears
20–22
NEC Green Rockets
Fukuda Denshi Arena
show
13:00
Try: Toe'ava 11' 52' c 62'Con: Tatekawa (1) 52'Pen: Tatekawa (1) 33'
Try: 13' cCon: Webb (1) 13'Pen: Webb (5) 36', 59', 67', 72', 78'
21 December 2014
Kobelco Steelers
40–10
Yamaha Júbilo
Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium
show
13:00
Try: Yamashita 22' c, 36' Yamanaka 41' 50' c 65' cCon: (3) 22', 50', 65'Pen: (2) 10', 19'Drop: (1) 63'
Try: 46' cCon: Goromaru (1) 46'Pen: Goromaru (1) 29'
21 December 2014
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
31–24
Kintetsu Liners
Miyazaki Athletic Stadium
show
14:00
Try: 8' c, 24' c 15' 28' c 37'Con: (3) 8', 24', 28'
Try: 43' c Samo 67' Penalty Try 72' c 74'Con: (2) 43', 72'
Round 5 [ ]
27 December 2014
Kobelco Steelers
54–19
NTT Com Shining Arcs
Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium
show
13:00
Try: Yamashita 7' c Bekker 13' c, 21' c Yamanaka 36' c 48' c, 52' 72' c, 80' cCon: (7) 7', 13', 21', 36', 48', 72', 80'
Try: Kazushi Hano 17' c Ross 59' c Clever 76' cCon: Jantjies (2) 59', 76'
28 December 2014
NEC Green Rockets
40–14
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
show
11:40
Try: Penalty Try 26' c Latu 36', 39' c Tamura 52', 75' cCon: Webb (3) 26', 39', 65'Pen: Webb (3) 22', 62', 72'
Try: 3' c Paea 45' cCon: (2) 3', 45'
28 December 2014
Kubota Spears
26–28
Ricoh Black Rams
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
show
14:00
Try: 25' c 42' c Tatekawa 66' c 71'Con: Tatekawa (1) 25' (2) 42', 66'
Try: 5' c 39' 61' cCon: (2) 5', 61'Pen: (3) 19', 49', 76'
28 December 2014
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
32–43
Kintetsu Liners
Level-5 Stadium
show
11:40
Try: 10' c Potgieter 55' c 75' c Lemalu 79' cCon: (3) 10', 55', 75'Pen: (2) 28', 59'
Try: 17' c 36' c Taylor 38' 65' c, 69' c Samo 77' cCon: (5) 17', 36', 65', 69', 77'Pen: (1) 45'
28 December 2014
Canon Eagles
10–31
Toshiba Brave Lupus
Machida Athletic Stadium
show
13:00
Try: Thomson 24' cCon: (1) 24'Pen: (1) 7'
Try: 20' c Kahui 28' c 60' c 70' cCon: Ogawa (4) 20', 28', 60', 70'Pen: Ogawa (1) 5'
28 December 2014
Panasonic Wild Knights
45–8
Suntory Sungoliath
Ota Athletic Stadium
show
13:00
Try: Pietersen 20', 41' c, 58' c Yamada 31' c, 53' cCon: Barnes (4) 31', 41', 43', 58'Pen: Barnes (4) 26', 35', 50', 64'
Try: Pisi 22'Pen: Pisi (1) 13'
Round 6 [ ]
4 January 2015
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
42–15
Kubota Spears
Kincho Stadium
show
11:40
Try: 11' c Setephano 22' c Viljoen 42' 68' c 72' cCon: (4) 11', 22', 68', 72'Pen: (2) 8', 40'Drop: Paea (1) 78'
Try: Penalty Try 2' c Toe'ava 32'Con: Tatekawa (1) 2'Pen: Tatekawa (1) 8'
4 January 2015
Kobelco Steelers
34–7
Toyota Verblitz
Kincho Stadium
show
14:00
Try: Bekker 15' c, 45' c 63' c 75' cCon: (4) 15', 45', 63', 75'Pen: (2) 33', 80'
Try: Yates 24' cCon: (1) 24'
4 January 2015
Toyota Industries Shuttles
17–40
Kintetsu Liners
Suzuka Sports Garden
show
13:00
Try: 40' c 73' cCon: Gerrard (1) 40' Sakai (1) 73'Pen: Gerrard (1) 1'
Try: Taylor 9' c, 19', 56' c 46' c 54' c 80' cCon: (5) 9', 46', 54', 56' 80'
Round 7 [ ]
11 January 2015
Toyota Industries Shuttles
7–9
NEC Green Rockets
Mizuho Rugby Stadium
show
11:40
Try: 1' cCon: Onishi (1) 1'
Pen: Tamura (3) 11', 68', 78'
11 January 2015
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
33–46
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Level-5 Stadium
show
11:40
Try: Sweeney 39' 48' c 55' c 73' c Everingham 75' cCon: Sweeney (4) 48', 55', 73', 75'
Try: Setephano 4' 19' c Paea 23' c, 34' c 45' c 64' cCon: (5) 19', 23', 34', 45', 64'Pen: (2) 58', 79'
11 January 2015
Coca-Cola Red Sparks
22–38
Ricoh Black Rams
Level-5 Stadium
show
14:00
Try: King 10' c 18', 48' 40'Con: (1) 10'
Try: 3' Ellison 25' c 34' c, 78' 66' c Kauhenga 72' cCon: (4) 25', 34', 66', 72'
11 January 2015
Kintetsu Liners
10–19
Kubota Spears
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
12:00
Try: Penalty Try 18' cCon: (1) 18'Pen: (1) 35'
Try: 8' 46' c K. Suzuki 50' cCon: Tatekawa (2) 46', 50'
11 January 2015
Yamaha Júbilo
26–18
Panasonic Wild Knights
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: 19' c, 59' c Sa'u 25' c Horie 46'Con: Goromaru (3) 19', 25', 59'
Try: Holani 51' c Kitagawa 79'Con: Barnes (1) 51'Pen: Barnes (2) 2', 5'
Title play-offs[ ]
Top 4 sides of the regular season competed in the Lixil Cup knock out tournament to decide the Top League champion. The top 4 teams of 2014–15 were Kobelco Steelers , Panasonic Wild Knights , Toshiba Brave Lupus , and Yamaha Júbilo .
Semi-finals [ ]
24 January 2015
Kobelco Steelers
12–41
Yamaha Júbilo
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:00
Try: 32' 57' cCon: (1) 57'
Try: Yatomi 12' c 19' c Hino 41' 60' c Mimura 74' c 76'Con: Goromaru (4) 12', 19' 60', 74'Pen: Goromaru (1) 36'
Final [ ]
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 [ ]
25 January 2015
Canon Eagles
10–14
NEC Green Rockets
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
12:00
Try: Bond 53' Bruce 79'
Try: 20'Pen: Tamura (3) 8', 14', 62'
25 January 2015
Toyota Verblitz
27–36
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: Ando 33' c, 61', 69' c Yates 78'Con: McIntyre (1) 34' (1) 69'Pen: McIntyre (1) 12'
Try: Paea 5' c 7' c 35', 42' c 40' cCon: (4) 5', 7', 40', 42'Pen: Viljoen (1) 74'
Second round [ ]
31 January 2015
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes
10–33
NEC Green Rockets
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
12:00
Try: 70' cCon: (1) 70'Pen: (1) 29'
Try: 19' c Tamura 26' c 33' c Brew 67' c 77'Con: Tamura (4) 19', 26', 33', 67'
31 January 2015
Suntory Sungoliath
42–14
Ricoh Black Rams
Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium
show
14:05
Try: Aruga 3' c Pisi 11' c, 16' c, 59' c du Preez 39' c 52' cCon: Pisi (6) 4', 12', 17', 40', 53', 61'
Try: 50' c 74' cCon: (2) 50', 74'
So NEC Green Rockets and Suntory Sungoliath advanced to the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.
Top League Challenge Series [ ]
Honda Heat won promotion to the 2015–16 Top League via the 2014–15 Top League Challenge Series, while Kamaishi Seawaves , Kyuden Voltex and Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars 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.
So Kubota Spears , Coca-Cola Red Sparks and Toyota Industries Shuttles remained in the Top League for the next season.
End-of-season awards [ ]
Team awards [ ]
Award
Winner
Top League winners:
Panasonic Wild Knights
Fair Play award:
Panasonic Wild Knights
Best fans:
Kobelco Steelers Toshiba Brave Lupus Panasonic Wild Knights
Individual awards [ ]
Team of the season [ ]
References [ ]
show Japan Rugby League One
2022 teams
Division One Division Two Division Three
Former teams Seasons
show Governing body
Japan Rugby Football Union
National teams
Competitions
International National Amateur Hosted events Defunct
Major figures Related articles