2014–15 Top League

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2014–15 Top League
Topleague04-15final.JPG
Panasonic win the Lixil Cup for season 2014–15.
CountriesJapan Japan
Date22 August 2014 – 1 February 2015
ChampionsPanasonic Wild Knights
(3rd title)
Runners-upYamaha Júbilo
Matches played115
Top point scorerAustralia Berrick Barnes
(156 pts)

 Panasonic Wild Knights
Top try scorerFiji Nemani Nadolo
(11 tries)

 NEC Green Rockets
Japan
(11 tries)

 Kobelco Steelers
Japan 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 Australia Zane Hilton Japan
Coca-Cola Red Sparks Fukuoka, Kyūshū Japan Japan
Fukuoka Sanix Blues Fukuoka, Kyūshū Japan Japan
Kintetsu Liners Higashiosaka, Osaka, Kansai Japan Japan
Kobelco Steelers Kobe, Kansai South Africa Gary Gold Japan Daiki Hashimoto
Kubota Spears Funabashi, Chiba, Kantō Australia Toutai Kefu Japan
NEC Green Rockets Abiko, Chiba, Kantō Japan Masao Amino Japan
NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka, Kansai Japan Japan
NTT Com Shining Arcs Chiba, Chiba, Kantō New Zealand Rob Penney Japan
Panasonic Wild Knights Ota, Gunma, Kantō New Zealand Robbie Deans Japan Shota Horie
Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, Kantō Australia Damien Hill Japan
Suntory Sungoliath Fuchū, Tokyo, Kantō Australia Andy Friend Japan Shinya Makabe
Toshiba Brave Lupus Fuchū, Tokyo, Kantō Japan Teppei Tomioka Japan
Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, Mizuho Australia Tai McIsaac Japan
Toyota Verblitz Toyota, Aichi, Tokai New Zealand Filo Tiatia Japan
Yamaha Júbilo Iwata, Shizuoka, Tokai Japan Katsuyuki Kiyomiya Japan 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[]

Pool stage[]

Round 1[]


22 August 2014 Panasonic Wild Knights 26–39 Toshiba Brave Lupus Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: Pietersen 11' c
80' c
Con: Barnes (2) 11', 80'
Pen: Barnes (4) 2', 23', 33', 64'
Try: 19' c
Asahara 35' c
Bates 55'
Ogawa 60' c, 64' c
Con: Ogawa (3) 19', 35', 60'
Futoshi Mori (1) 64'
Pen: Ogawa (2) 15', 66'

22 August 2014 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 17–21 Kintetsu Liners Kincho Stadium  
Try: 71' c
79' c
Con: (1) 71',
(1) 80'
Pen: (1) 41'
Try: 24' c
32' c
48' c
Con: (3) 24', 32', 48'

23 August 2014 NTT Com Shining Arcs 25–11 Fukuoka Sanix Blues Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: 27' c
55' c
Mafi 68'
Con: Jantjies (2) 27', 55'
Pen: Jantjies (2) 5', 74'
Try: Sweeney 48'
Pen: (2) 8', 43'

23 August 2014 NEC Green Rockets 24–3 Kubota Spears Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: 14' c
Murata 26' c
38' c
Con: Tamura (3) 14', 26', 38'
Pen: Tamura (1) 65'
Pen: Tatekawa (1) 51'

23 August 2014 Yamaha Júbilo 38–9 Toyota Industries Shuttles Yamaha Stadium  
Try: 48' c
52', 71' c
Yatomi 80' c
Con: Goromaru (3) 48', 71', 80'
Pen: Goromaru (4) 4', 15', 18', 34'
Pen: Onishi (3) 7', 21', 38'

23 August 2014 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 13–17 Suntory Sungoliath Umakana Yokana Stadium  
Try: King 41' c
Con: (1) 41'
Pen: (2) 9', 53'
Try: Sasaki 49'
Nakazuru 65'
80' c
Con: Pisi (1) 80'

24 August 2014 Toyota Verblitz 23–16 Canon Eagles Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium  
Try: Carpenter 1' c
Takeda 43' c
Con: (2) 1', 43'
Pen: (3) 10', 18', 62'
Try: Yamamoto 27' c
Con: (1) 27'
Pen: (3) 35', 59', 80'

24 August 2014 Kobelco Steelers 19–17 Ricoh Black Rams Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium  
Try: Taniguchi 59' c
Con: (1) 59'
Pen: (4) 13', 18', 64', 78'
Try: 36' c
74' c
Con: (2) 36', 74'
Pen: (1) 2'

Round 2[]


29 August 2014 Toshiba Brave Lupus 23–16 NTT Com Shining Arcs Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: Penalty Try 31' c
Hirose 63' c
Con: Ogawa (2) 31', 63'
Pen: Ogawa (3) 12', 19', 43'
Try: 66'
Karauria-Henry 76'
Pen: Jantjies (2) 14', 45'

30 August 2014 Panasonic Wild Knights 47–22 Kubota Spears Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: 11' c
Tanaka 20'
Sasakura 26' c
Heenan 36'
Uchida 49'
Kawamata 64'
80' c
Con: Barnes (1) 11'
(1) 26'
(1) 80'
Pen: Barnes (2) 3', 8'
Try: Toeava 45'
53' c
80' c
Con: Tatekawa (2) 53', 80'
Pen: Tatekawa (1) 5'

30 August 2014 Canon Eagles 33–21 Ricoh Black Rams Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: Thomson 10' c, 23' c, 27'
36' c
Bennetts 46' c
Con: (4) 10', 23', 36', 46'
Try: 18' c
69'
Con: (1) 18'
Pen: (3) 3', 7', 21'

30 August 2014 Toyota Industries Shuttles 31–14 Fukuoka Sanix Blues Toyota Stadium  
Try: Gerrard 6' c
Sakai 13' c, 57' c
Penalty Try 77' c
Con: Barnes (4) 6', 13', 57', 77'
Pen: Barnes (1) 34'
Try: 25'
35' c
Con: (2) 25', 35'

30 August 2014 Toyota Verblitz 10–13 Suntory Sungoliath Toyota Stadium  
Try: 29' c
Con: (1) 29'
Pen: (1) 4'
Try: Nakazuru 55' c
Con: Pisi (1) 55'
Pen: Ono (2) 9', 40'

30 August 2014 Kobelco Steelers 26–3 Kintetsu Liners Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium  
Try: 38' c
Taniguchi 49' c
Con: (2) 38', 49'
Pen: (4) 21', 32', 41', 76'
Pen: (1) 18'

30 August 2014 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 15–9 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Level-5 Stadium  
Try: 5'
53' c
Con: (1) 53'
Pen: (1) 40'
Pen: Viljoen (3) 18', 25', 28'

31 August 2014 NEC Green Rockets 7–55 Yamaha Júbilo Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium  
Try: Goto 19' c
Con: Tamura (1) 19'
Try: Hino 4', 59' c
10',
Piutau 42' c, 49' c, 66' c, 73' c
71' c
Con: Goromaru (6) 42', 49', 59', 66', 71', 73'
Drop: (1) 79'

Round 3[]


5 September 2014 Suntory Sungoliath 20–17 Canon Eagles Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: Hatakeyama 31' c
Burger 72' c
Con: Pisi (2) 31', 72'
Pen: Pisi (2) 6', 21'
Try: 38' c
Thomson 44' c
Con: (2) 38', 44'
Pen: (1) 12'

6 September 2014 NTT Com Shining Arcs 30–6 Toyota Industries Shuttles Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: 10'
33' c,
58'
71' c
Con: Jantjies (1) 33'
(1) 71'
Pen: Jantjies (2) 4', 26'
Pen: Goodman (2) 8', 32'

6 September 2014 Toshiba Brave Lupus 18–23 Kubota Spears Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
Try: 2', 20' c
Con: Ogawa (1) 2'
Pen: Ogawa (2) 50', 77'
Try: Tanaka 29' c
Toeava 53' c
Con: Tatekawa (2) 29', 53'
Pen: Tatekawa (3) 8', 47', 72'

6 September 2014 Kintetsu Liners 28–23 Ricoh Black Rams Kincho Stadium  
Try: Fairbanks 32' c
53' c
60'
Con: (2) 32', 53'
Pen: Taylor (1) 15'
(2) 24', 30'
Try: 19' c
47' c
Con: (2) 19', 47'
Pen: (3) 3', 27', 75'

6 September 2014 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 19–31 Toyota Verblitz Kincho Stadium  
Try: Brüssow 14' c
29'
36' c
Con: Viljoen (2) 14', 36'
Try: 1' c
19' c
39' c
49' c
Con: (4) 1', 19', 39', 49'
Pen: (1) 59'

6 September 2014 Fukuoka Sanix Blues 36–31 NEC Green Rockets Level-5 Stadium  
Try: Potgieter 17' c, 49' c
34', 47' c
Lemalu 69' c
Con: 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'

6 September 2014 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 0–31 Kobelco Steelers Level-5 Stadium  
Try: Kizu 23', 64' c
68' c
Bekker 73' c
78'
Con: Yamanaka (3) 64', 68', 73'

6 September 2014 Yamaha Júbilo 9–14 Panasonic Wild Knights Yamaha Stadium  
Pen: Goromaru (3) 14', 40', 72'
Try: 29'
Pen: Barnes (2) 1', 10'
(1) 69'

Round 4[]


12 September 2014 Toshiba Brave Lupus 30–26 NEC Green Rockets Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
19:30 Try: 2'
Toyosima 18' c, 66'
Kahui 48' c
Con: Ogawa (2) 18', 48'
Pen: Ogawa (2) 14', 27'
Try: Brew 35' c
Nadolo 75' c
Con: 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  
16:40 Try: 24'
Hesketh 74' c
Con: (1) 74'
Try: Tuiali'i 4' c, 31'
Horie 15' c, 39' c
45' c,
54' c, 67'
80' c
Con: Goromaru (5) 4', 15', 39', 45', 80'
(1) 54'

13 September 2014 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 23–25 Toyota Verblitz Tosu Stadium  
19:00 Try: Bateman 35' c
59' c
Con: (2) 35', 59'
Pen: (3) 4', 13', 40'
Try: 8'
47' c
52' c
Con: (2) 47', 52'
Pen: (2) 33', 57'

13 September 2014 Suntory Sungoliath 38–26 Ricoh Black Rams Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium  
18:00 Try: Nakazuru 17' c
Nishikawa 27' c
33' c
Tui 46' c,
Burger 61' c
Con: Pisi (3) 17', 27', 33'
Ono 46', 61'
Pen: Pisi (1) 20'
Try: 41', 67' c
Bourke 71' c
77' c
Con: (3) 67', 71', 77'

13 September 2014 Toyota Industries Shuttles 5–54 Panasonic Wild Knights Suzuka Sports Garden  
19:05 Try: Vaka 25'
Try: Heenan 2' c
33' c
Yamada 39' c, 58' c
Tanaka 54' c
Yatabe 80' c
Con: (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  
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' c
Con: 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  
16:00 Try: 8' c
19' c
45' c
Thomson 58'
Bond 73' c
Con: (4) 8', 19', 45', 73'
Pen: (1) 43'
Try: Fairbanks 41' c, 52' c
Samo 66' c
80' c
Con: (4) 41', 52', 66', 80'
Pen: (1) 22'

14 September 2014 Kubota Spears 29–27 NTT Com Shining Arcs K's denki Stadium Mito  
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' c
Con: Jantjies (3) 17', 34', 66'
Pen: Jantjies (2) 14', 58'

Round 5[]


19 September 2014 Suntory Sungoliath 22–29 Kobelco Steelers Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
19:30 Try: Nakazuru 38' c
Sasaki 32' c
Kakinaga 80'
Con: Pisi (2) 38', 62'
Pen: Pisi (1) 44'
Try: 41' c
52' c
Yamashita 58'
77' c
Con: Yamanaka (3) 41', 52', 77'
Pen: Yamanaka (1) 30'

20 September 2014 Ricoh Black Rams 53–5 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
16:40 Try: 2' c
9' c, 74' c
15'
34'
46' c, 77'
53' c
Con: (4) 2', 9', 46', 53'
(1) 74'
Pen: (1) 40'
Try: Kuwazuru 49'

20 September 2014 Canon Eagles 24–10 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
19:00 Try: Thomson 40' c
Penalty Try 50' c
61'
Bond 78'
Con: (2) 40', 50'
Try: 36'
59'

20 September 2014 Toyota Industries Shuttles 10–35 Toshiba Brave Lupus Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
16:40 Try: Fifita 63'
75'
Try: Bates 26', 41' c, 54' c
80' c
Con: 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  
19:00 Try: 12' c
25' c, 55' c
77' c
Con: (4) 12', 25', 55', 77'
Pen: (1) 33'
Try: 17' c
38' c
Taylor 49'
Penalty Try 69' c
Con: (3) 17', 38', 69'
Pen: (4) 7', 44', 58', 80'

21 September 2014 NTT Com Shining Arcs 32–31 NEC Green Rockets Ishinomaki Stadium  
13:00 Try: 31'
52' c
Penalty Try 58' c
61' c
Con: Jantjies (3) 52', 58', 61'
Pen: Jantjies (1) 37'
Drop: Jantjies (1) 75'
Try: 10' c
Nadolo 28', 67'
Latu 65' c
69' c
Con: Nadolo (1) 10'
Tamura (2) 65', 69'

21 September 2014 Panasonic Wild Knights 80–7 Fukuoka Sanix Blues Ashikaga City Sports Park Stadium  
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' c
Con: (6) 15', 19', 23', 30', 45', 48'
Barnes (4) 62', 66', 73', 80'
Try: Robins 9' c
Con: (1) 9'

21 September 2014 Kubota Spears 28–28 Yamaha Júbilo Denka Big Swan Stadium  
15:00 Try: Tanaka 27' c
33' c
46' c
Toeava 64' c
Con: Tatekawa (4) 27', 33', 46', 64'
Try: Horie 4' c, 71' c
12' c
Tuiali'i 37' c
Con: Goromaru (4) 4', 12', 37', 41'

Round 6[]


11 October 2014 Ricoh Black Rams 31–24 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Morioka Minami Stadium  
12:00 Try: 6' c
41' c
46', 59'
Bourke 62' c
Con: (3) 6', 41', 62'
Try: Brüssow 15'
54'
65' c
68' c
Con: (2) 65', 68'

11 October 2014 Kubota Spears 24–29 Toyota Industries Shuttles Morioka Minami Stadium  
14:05 Try: 26' c
Tatekawa 61' c
65'
Tanaka 75'
Con: Tatekawa (2) 26', 61'
Try: 50' c
Gerrard 56' c
Con: Onishi (2) 50', 56'
Pen: Onishi (2) 12', 16'
Gerrard (3) 44', 64', 79'

11 October 2014 Kobelco Steelers 24–24 Toyota Verblitz Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
12:00 Try: Imamura 46' c, 62' c
Yamashita 52' c
Con: Morita (1) 46'
Yamanaka (2) 52', 62'
Pen: Morita (1) 14'
Try: 11' c
Takeda 25' c
65' c
Con: (3) 11', 25', 65'
Pen: (1) 72'

11 October 2014 Kintetsu Liners 30–31 Suntory Sungoliath Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
14:05 Try: 34' c, 61'
55'
77' c
Con: (2) 34', 77'
Pen: (2) 25', 42'
Try: Ozawa 12' c, 57' c
50' c
Hiwasa 70' c
Con: 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  
13:00 Try: Goto 34' c, 65' c
Nadolo 76' c
Con: Tamura (3) 34', 65', 76'
Try: Kitagawa 5' c
16' c
Barnes 28' c
Yamada 56' c,
Kawamata 79' c
Con: Barnes (4) 5', 16', 28', 56'
(1) 79'
Pen: Barnes (3) 25', 38', 70'

12 October 2014 Canon Eagles 44–20 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Ōita Bank Dome  
13:00 Try: 7'
Thomson 14' c, 20', 33' c
Bruce 27'
Kikutani 67' c
Con: (4) 14', 27', 33', 67'
Pen: (2) 40', 59'
Try: 23' c
55' c
Con: (2) 23', 55'
Pen: (2) 5', 12'

12 October 2014 Fukuoka Sanix Blues 21–59 Toshiba Brave Lupus Coca-Cola West Hiroshima Stadium  
14:05 Try: 47' c
Thomson 68' c
Everingham 78' c
Con: Sweeney (2) 47', 78'
(1) 68'
Try: Kahui 1' c, 60' c
Hirose 13' c
20' c, 39'
34', 44' c, 52' c, 80' c
Con: Ogawa (6) 1', 13', 20', 44', 52', 60'
(1) 80'

12 October 2014 NTT Com Shining Arcs 29–26 Yamaha Júbilo Toyama Athletic Stadium  
13:00 Try: 32' c
37'
47' c
67' c
Con: 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 Ricoh Black Rams 12–13 Toyota Verblitz Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: 2'
78' c
Con: (1) 78'
Try: 72' c
Con: (1) 72'
Pen: (2) 39', 49'

19 October 2014 Suntory Sungoliath 61–12 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Pisi 32' c, 42' c, 50' c
38' c
53' c, 72' c
Nakazuru 61', 78' c
67' c
Con: Pisi (5) 32', 38', 42', 50', 53'
Ono (3) 67', 72', 78'
Try: Paea 3', 22' c
Con: Viljoen (1) 22'

19 October 2014 Kintetsu Liners 31–14 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
12:00 Try: 12' c
37' c
41' c
56' c
Con: (4) 12', 37', 41', 56'
Pen: (1) 50'
Try: Kuwazuru 30' c
80' c
Con: (1) 30'
(1) 80'

19 October 2014 Yamaha Júbilo 19–14 Toshiba Brave Lupus Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
14:05 Try: 35' c
Con: 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  
13:00 Try: Murata 16' c,
26' c
49' c, 78' c
Nadolo 56' c, 59', 72' c
76' c
Con: Tamura (7) 16', 26', 49', 56', 72', 76', 78'
Try: Vaka 22' c, 65' c
Kankowski 69' c
Con: 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  
13:00 Try: 2' c, 60' c
72' c
75' c
Con: Barnes (2) 2', 60'
(2) 72', 75'
Pen: Barnes (4) 8', 10', 44', 51'
(1) 79'
Try: 4' c
Con: (1) 4'
Pen: (2) 23', 40'

19 October 2014 Kobelco Steelers 17–14 Canon Eagles Ningineer Stadium  
13:00 Try: Bekker 1'
20'
Yamanaka 39' c
Con: Wing (1) 39'
Try: Bennetts 29' c
59'
Con: (2) 29', 59'

19 October 2014 Kubota Spears 42–28 Fukuoka Sanix Blues Tenri Shinsato Stadium  
13:00 Try: Daniel 1', 48' c
Toeava 37' c
44'
Poki 53'
Tanaka 56' c
Con: Tatekawa (3) 37', 48', 56'
Pen: Tatekawa (2) 5', 77'
Try: Everingham 9' c
11' c
Hesketh 67' c,
Robins 73' c
Con: Robins (2) 9', 11'
Sweeney (2) 67', 73'

Group stage[]

Round 1[]


28 November 2014 NTT Com Shining Arcs 11–35 Canon Eagles Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
19:30 Try: 6'
Pen: Jantjies (2) 20', 47'
Try: Penalty Try 37' c
77' c
Con: (2) 37', 77'
Pen: (7) 17', 26', 34', 44', 52', 67', 73'

29 November 2014 Kubota Spears 18–8 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: Tatekawa 46' c
73'
Con: Tatekawa (1) 46'
Pen: Tatekawa (2) 55', 64'
Try: 79'
Pen: Lafaele (1) 39'

29 November 2014 Suntory Sungoliath 16–12 Yamaha Júbilo Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Matsushima 11' c
Con: Pisi (1) 11'
Pen: Pisi (3) 21', 40', 67'
Pen: Goromaru (4) 8', 17', 26', 48'

29 November 2014 Toyota Industries Shuttles 17–38 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: Vatuvei 56' c, 80' c
Con: Onishi (2) 56', 80'
Pen: Onishi (1) 21'
Try: 7' c
13'
36'
Viljoen 49'
64' c
Con: (1) 7'
Viljoen (1) 64'
Pen: (3) 43', 48', 76'

29 November 2014 Toyota Verblitz 10–30 Panasonic Wild Knights Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: 66' c
Con: McIntyre (1) 66'
Pen: (1) 18'
Try: Kitagawa 2', 58'
21' c
Holani 29' c
Con: Barnes (2) 21', 29'
Pen: Barnes (1) 45'
(1) 71'

29 November 2014 Kintetsu Liners 12–8 NEC Green Rockets Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
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  
14:05 Try: 15'
Kizu 54' c
65'
Con: Yamanaka (1) 54'
Pen: (1) 48'
Try: Penalty Try 24' c
69' c
Bates 74' c
Con: 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  
13:00 Try: Everingham 78' c
Con: (1) 78'
Pen: Sweeney (3) 5', 14', 48'
Try: 21'
Bourke 67' c
Con: (1) 67'
Pen: (3) 12', 34', 51'

Round 2[]


6 December 2014 Canon Eagles 13–36 Yamaha Júbilo Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium  
12:00 Try: 17' c
Con: (1) 17'
Pen: (2) 6', 28'
Try: 2'
Tuiali'i 41' c
Horie 54', 75'
78'
Con: Goromaru (1) 41'
Pen: Goromaru (3) 25', 47', 63'

6 December 2014 Toshiba Brave Lupus 33–13 Panasonic Wild Knights Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium  
14:05 Try: Hirose 34' c
57' c
Yuhara 63' c
Con: Steyn (1) 34'
(2) 57', 63'
Pen: Steyn (4) 11', 15', 41', 44'
Try: Whitelock 74'
Con: (1) 74'
Pen: Barnes (2) 1', 50'

7 December 2014 Kubota Spears 17–6 Toyota Industries Shuttles Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: 7' c, 62' c
Con: Tatekawa (2) 7', 62'
Pen: Tatekawa (1) 53'
Pen: Gerrard (2) 4', 31'

7 December 2014 Toyota Verblitz 37–15 NTT Com Shining Arcs Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Hikosaka 15' c, 74' c
Takeda 20' c
78' c
Con: McIntyre (2) 15', 20'
(2) 74', 78'
Pen: McIntyre (3) 6', 11', 50'
Try: 29'
70'
Con: Jantjies (1) 29'
Pen: Jantjies (1) 54'

7 December 2014 Kintetsu Liners 8–34 Ricoh Black Rams Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
12:00 Try: 80'
Pen: (1) 30'
Try: 25' c, 34' c
51' c
57' c
Con: (4) 25', 34', 51', 57'
Pen: (2) 5', 16'

7 December 2014 Kobelco Steelers 20–10 Suntory Sungoliath Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
14:05 Try: Bekker 68' c
Wing 77' c
Con: Yamanaka (2) 68', 77'
Pen: Yamanaka (1) 40'
Drop: (1) 26'
Try: Sasaki 54' c
Con: Ono (1) 54'
Pen: Ono (1) 22'

7 December 2014 NEC Green Rockets 34–17 Fukuoka Sanix Blues City Park Stadium  
12:00 Try: Nadolo 18' c, 55' c
46' c
49' c
Con: Tamura (4) 18', 46', 49', 55'
(2) 74', 78'
Pen: Tamura (2) 3', 15'
Try: 22' c
68' c
Con: Sweeney (1) 22'
(1) 68'
Pen: Sweeney (1) 10'

7 December 2014 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 41–5 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Ojiyama Stadium  
13:00 Try: 15' c, 74' c
20', 26'
Viljoen 30' c
Paea 55' c
64' c
Con: (4) 15', 30', 55', 64'
Pen: (1) 38'
Try: Bateman 5'

Round 3[]


13 December 2014 Suntory Sungoliath 32–16 Toshiba Brave Lupus Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: 32' c
Nakazuru 34', 59', 65'
Hatakeyama 67' c
Con: Nicholas (1) 32'
Ono (1) 67'
Pen: Nicholas (1) 52'
Try: Kahui 73' c
Con: Ogawa (1) 73'
Pen: Steyn (2) 3', 8'
Drop: Steyn (1) 31'

13 December 2014 Panasonic Wild Knights 29–27 Kobelco Steelers Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Yamada 54'
Horie 58' c
Pietersen 62' c
Inagaki 70' c
Con: Barnes (3) 58', 62', 70'
Pen: Barnes (1) 20'
Try: 13' c
Bekker 14' c
34' c
Con: Yamanaka (3) 13', 14', 34'
Pen: Yamanaka (2) 23', 33'

13 December 2014 Kubota Spears 36–11 Fukuoka Sanix Blues Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
12:00 Try: 6'
Toe'ava 18', 44'
Daniel 46' c, 48' c
67' c
Con: 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  
14:05 Try: 16'
49'
71' c
73' c
Con: (2) 71', 73'
Pen: (1) 24'
(1) 80'
Try: 20' c
Viljoen 35' c
55' c
Con: (3) 20', 35', 55'
Pen: (1) 52'
Drop: Paea (1) 59'

13 December 2014 Yamaha Júbilo 26–9 NTT Com Shining Arcs Yamaha Stadium  
13:00 Try: 35' c
Penalty Try 74' c
Con: 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  
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' c
Con: (1) 30'
(3) 60', 71' 73'

14 December 2014 Ricoh Black Rams 36–0 Toyota Industries Shuttles Kansuta Stadium  
14:00 Try: Bourke 27' c
69' c
71' c
74'
Kauhenga 78' c
Con: (4) 27', 69', 71', 78'
Pen: (1) 10'

14 December 2014 Canon Eagles 9–14 Toyota Verblitz Nagara Stadium  
13:00 Pen: (3) 21', 34', 80'
Try: Taniguchi 60' c
Pen: McIntyre (3) 13', 28', 74'

Round 4[]


20 December 2014 Ricoh Black Rams 26–27 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: Kauhenga 1' c
27' c
51'
Penalty Try 70' c
Con: (3) 1', 27', 70'
Try: 35' c
41' c
45' c
Con: (3) 35', 41', 45'
Pen: (2) 5', 73'

20 December 2014 NTT Com Shining Arcs 14–45 Panasonic Wild Knights Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: 29' c
80' c
Con: Jantjies (2) 29', 80'
Try: Yamada 4' c, 41' c
25' c
Penalty Try 34' c
Kawamata 40' c
Uchida 76' c
Con: Barnes (5) 4', 25', 34', 40', 41'
(1) 76'
Pen: (1) 58'

21 December 2014 Toyota Industries Shuttles 46–14 Fukuoka Sanix Blues Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
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' c
Con: (1) 46'
(1) 62'

21 December 2014 Toyota Verblitz 29–44 Toshiba Brave Lupus Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Hikosaka 13' c, 39' c
Takeda 30'
McIntyre 42' c
Con: McIntyre (3) 13', 39', 42'
Pen: McIntyre (1) 57'
Try: Penalty Try 20' c
49' c
Leitch 54' c, 69' c
73' c
Con: Ogawa (3) 20', 49', 54'
Steyn (2) 69', 73'
Pen: Ogawa (3) 10', 37', 62'

21 December 2014 Suntory Sungoliath 47–28 Canon Eagles Yamanashi Chuo Bank Stadium  
13:00 Try: Burger 1' c, 10'
Aruga 39' c
Sasaki 42' c
Tui 64' c
Matsushima 68' c
Pisi 77' c
Con: Ono (3) 1', 39', 42'
Pisi (3) 64', 68', 77'
Try: Bond 23' c
52' c
57' c
Lowe 74' c
Con: (3) 23', 52', 57'
(1) 74'

21 December 2014 Kubota Spears 20–22 NEC Green Rockets Fukuda Denshi Arena  
13:00 Try: Toe'ava 11'
52' c
62'
Con: Tatekawa (1) 52'
Pen: Tatekawa (1) 33'
Try: 13' c
Con: 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  
13:00 Try: Yamashita 22' c, 36'
Yamanaka 41'
50' c
65' c
Con: (3) 22', 50', 65'
Pen: (2) 10', 19'
Drop: (1) 63'
Try: 46' c
Con: Goromaru (1) 46'
Pen: Goromaru (1) 29'

21 December 2014 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 31–24 Kintetsu Liners Miyazaki Athletic Stadium  
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 Yamaha Júbilo 26–10 Toyota Verblitz Yamaha Stadium  
13:00 Try: Hino 13' c, 32'
Penalty Try 65' c
Piutau 69' c
Con: Goromaru (3) 13', 65', 69'
Try: Levave 80' c
Con: (1) 80'
Pen: McIntyre (1) 44'

27 December 2014 Kobelco Steelers 54–19 NTT Com Shining Arcs Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium  
13:00 Try: Yamashita 7' c
Bekker 13' c, 21' c
Yamanaka 36' c
48' c, 52'
72' c, 80' c
Con: (7) 7', 13', 21', 36', 48', 72', 80'
Try: Kazushi Hano 17' c
Ross 59' c
Clever 76' c
Con: Jantjies (2) 59', 76'

28 December 2014 NEC Green Rockets 40–14 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: Penalty Try 26' c
Latu 36', 39' c
Tamura 52', 75' c
Con: Webb (3) 26', 39', 65'
Pen: Webb (3) 22', 62', 72'
Try: 3' c
Paea 45' c
Con: (2) 3', 45'

28 December 2014 Kubota Spears 26–28 Ricoh Black Rams Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: 25' c
42' c
Tatekawa 66' c
71'
Con: Tatekawa (1) 25'
(2) 42', 66'
Try: 5' c
39'
61' c
Con: (2) 5', 61'
Pen: (3) 19', 49', 76'

28 December 2014 Fukuoka Sanix Blues 32–43 Kintetsu Liners Level-5 Stadium  
11:40 Try: 10' c
Potgieter 55' c
75' c
Lemalu 79' c
Con: (3) 10', 55', 75'
Pen: (2) 28', 59'
Try: 17' c
36' c
Taylor 38'
65' c, 69' c
Samo 77' c
Con: (5) 17', 36', 65', 69', 77'
Pen: (1) 45'

28 December 2014 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 39–17 Toyota Industries Shuttles Level-5 Stadium  
14:00 Try: 16'
21' c, 49'
24' c
Kuwazuru 35'
Fuimaono-Sapolu 43' c
Con: (3) 21', 24', 43'
Pen: (1) 40'
Try: 30'
67' c
77'
Con: (1) 67'

28 December 2014 Canon Eagles 10–31 Toshiba Brave Lupus Machida Athletic Stadium  
13:00 Try: Thomson 24' c
Con: (1) 24'
Pen: (1) 7'
Try: 20' c
Kahui 28' c
60' c
70' c
Con: Ogawa (4) 20', 28', 60', 70'
Pen: Ogawa (1) 5'

28 December 2014 Panasonic Wild Knights 45–8 Suntory Sungoliath Ota Athletic Stadium  
13:00 Try: Pietersen 20', 41' c, 58' c
Yamada 31' c, 53' c
Con: Barnes (4) 31', 41', 43', 58'
Pen: Barnes (4) 26', 35', 50', 64'
Try: Pisi 22'
Pen: Pisi (1) 13'

Round 6[]


3 January 2015 Toshiba Brave Lupus 28–29 Yamaha Júbilo Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: Leitch 26' c
Toyosima 65' c, 72' c
68' c
Con: Ogawa (1) 26'
Steyn (3) 65', 68', 72'
Try: Sa'u 8'
Horie 12' c, 32' c, 53' c
Con: Goromaru (3) 12', 32', 53'
Pen: Goromaru (1) 60'

3 January 2015 NTT Com Shining Arcs 17–18 Suntory Sungoliath Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: 13' c
40' c
Con: Jantjies (2) 13', 40'
Pen: Jantjies (1) 59'
Try: Ono 3'
Pisi 31'
66'
Pen: Pisi (1) 20'

4 January 2015 Ricoh Black Rams 16–3 NEC Green Rockets Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium  
12:00 Try: 34' c
Con: (1) 34'
Pen: (3) 13', 73', 79'
Pen: Webb (1) 2'

4 January 2015 Panasonic Wild Knights 38–13 Canon Eagles Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium  
14:05 Try: Barnes 14'
Yamada 37'
Heenan 42' c
Horie 56' c
Inagaki 63'
Con: Barnes (2) 42', 56'
Pen: Barnes (2) 8', 61'
(1) 71'
Try: 11' c
Con: (1) 11'
Pen: (2) 17', 32'

4 January 2015 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes 42–15 Kubota Spears Kincho Stadium  
11:40 Try: 11' c
Setephano 22' c
Viljoen 42'
68' c
72' c
Con: (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  
14:00 Try: Bekker 15' c, 45' c
63' c
75' c
Con: (4) 15', 45', 63', 75'
Pen: (2) 33', 80'
Try: Yates 24' c
Con: (1) 24'

4 January 2015 Toyota Industries Shuttles 17–40 Kintetsu Liners Suzuka Sports Garden  
13:00 Try: 40' c
73' c
Con: Gerrard (1) 40'
Sakai (1) 73'
Pen: Gerrard (1) 1'
Try: Taylor 9' c, 19', 56' c
46' c
54' c
80' c
Con: (5) 9', 46', 54', 56' 80'

4 January 2015 Fukuoka Sanix Blues 24–10 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Global Arena  
13:00 Try: 8' c
Sugiura 31' c
62' c
Con: (2) 8', 31'
Sweeney (1) 62'
Pen: (1) 21'
Try: Arita 39'
73'

Round 7[]


11 January 2015 Toshiba Brave Lupus 31–14 NTT Com Shining Arcs Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: Penalty Try 18' c, 21' c
Bates 34'
Kajikawa 43' c
Latimer 65'
Con: Steyn (3) 18', 21', 53'
Try: 69' c
Jantjies 80' c
Con: Jantjies (2) 69', 80'

11 January 2015 Canon Eagles 8–47 Kobelco Steelers Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Kikutani 48'
Pen: (1) 7'
Try: H. Yamashita 8' c
28' c
Anderson 63' c, 65' c, 74' c
Con: (5) 8', 28', 63', 65', 74'
Pen: (3) 34', 38', 70'
Drop: (1) 17'

11 January 2015 Toyota Industries Shuttles 7–9 NEC Green Rockets Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Try: 1' c
Con: Onishi (1) 1'
Pen: Tamura (3) 11', 68', 78'

11 January 2015 Toyota Verblitz 19–40 Suntory Sungoliath Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: 1' c, 29'
Kitagawa 7' c
Con: (2) 1', 7'
Try: Kakinaga 4' c
Nakazuru 16'
Matsushima 38' c, 63' c
Tui 55' c
Ono 80' c
Con: Ono (5) 4', 38', 55', 63', 80'

11 January 2015 Fukuoka Sanix Blues 33–46 NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Level-5 Stadium  
11:40 Try: Sweeney 39'
48' c
55' c
73' c
Everingham 75' c
Con: Sweeney (4) 48', 55', 73', 75'
Try: Setephano 4'
19' c
Paea 23' c, 34' c
45' c
64' c
Con: (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  
14:00 Try: King 10' c
18', 48'
40'
Con: (1) 10'
Try: 3'
Ellison 25' c
34' c, 78'
66' c
Kauhenga 72' c
Con: (4) 25', 34', 66', 72'

11 January 2015 Kintetsu Liners 10–19 Kubota Spears Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
12:00 Try: Penalty Try 18' c
Con: (1) 18'
Pen: (1) 35'
Try: 8'
46' c
K. Suzuki 50' c
Con: Tatekawa (2) 46', 50'

11 January 2015 Yamaha Júbilo 26–18 Panasonic Wild Knights Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
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  
14:00 Try: 32'
57' c
Con: (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'
25 January 2015 Toshiba Brave Lupus 15–50 Panasonic Wild Knights Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Yuhara 45'
Penalty Try 63' c
Con: Steyn (1) 64'
Pen: Steyn (1) 5'
Try: 1' c
Yamada 16' c
Kitagawa 28' c, 38' c
Heenan 73' c
Con: Barnes (5) 1', 16', 28', 38', 73'
Pen: Barnes (5) 11', 25', 37', 50', 69'

Final[]

1 February 2015 Yamaha Júbilo 12–30 Panasonic Wild Knights Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo hide 
14:00 Try: Horie 8' c
11'
Con: Goromaru (1/2) 9'
Try: Kitagawa 11', 76' c
Barnes 22'
Yamada 28' c
Con: Barnes (1/3) 29'
(1/1) 77'
Pen: Barnes (2/2) 3', 39'

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[]


24 January 2015 NTT Com Shining Arcs 12–16 Ricoh Black Rams Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
11:40 Pen: Jantjies (4) 2', 7', 17', 58'
Try: 26' c
Con: (1) 27'
Pen: (3) 11', 46', 69'

24 January 2015 Suntory Sungoliath 24–16 Kintetsu Liners Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Try: Tui 22'
Murata 51'
Aruga 66'
Pen: Nakamura (1) 18'
Pisi (2) 72', 80'
Try: 1'
Taylor 30'
Pen: (2) 27', 53'

25 January 2015 Canon Eagles 10–14 NEC Green Rockets Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
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  
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' c
Con: (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  
12:00 Try: 70' c
Con: (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  
14:05 Try: Aruga 3' c
Pisi 11' c, 16' c, 59' c
du Preez 39' c
52' c
Con: Pisi (6) 4', 12', 17', 40', 53', 61'
Try: 50' c
74' c
Con: (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.


14 February 2015 Kubota Spears 34–5 Kamaishi Seawaves Kumagaya Athletic Stadium  
13:00

14 February 2015 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 53–8 Kyuden Voltex Level-5 Stadium  
13:00

14 February 2015 Toyota Industries Shuttles 53–7 Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
13:00

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[]

Award Winner
Top League MVP: Berrick Barnes (Panasonic Wild Knights)
Rookie award: (Kobelco Steelers)
Most tries: Nemani Nadolo (NEC Green Rockets) 11
Kyosuke Horie (Yamaha Júbilo) 11
(Kobelco Steelers) 11
Top scorer: Berrick Barnes (Panasonic Wild Knights) 156
Best kicker: Berrick Barnes (Panasonic Wild Knights) 82.61%
Best referee: Akihisa Aso
Playoffs MVP: Akihito Yamada (Panasonic Wild Knights)

Team of the season[]

# Winner Team
1. Japan Keita Inagaki Panasonic Wild Knights
2. Japan Shota Horie Panasonic Wild Knights
3. Japan Hiroshi Yamashita Kobelco Steelers
4. South Africa Andries Bekker Kobelco Steelers
5. Japan Shoji Ito Kobelco Steelers
6. New Zealand Adam Thomson Canon Eagles
7. Japan Michael Leitch Toshiba Brave Lupus
8. Japan Kyosuke Horie Yamaha Júbilo
9. Japan Fumiaki Tanaka Panasonic Wild Knights
10. Australia Berrick Barnes Panasonic Wild Knights
11. Japan Kobelco Steelers
12. Japan Kotaro Matsushima Suntory Sungoliath
13. South Africa Jaque Fourie Kobelco Steelers
14. Japan Akihito Yamada Panasonic Wild Knights
15. Japan Ayumu Goromaru Yamaha Júbilo

References[]

  1. ^ "Draw made for 2014-15 opening stage after NTT Comms remain in Top League". jrfu.org. 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  2. ^ Hinato (21 April 2014). "Robbie Deans new manager of Panasonic Wild Knights!". Japon Rugby (in French). Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f "2014/15 Top League". The Rugby Archive. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015.
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