NEC, Yamaha advance in wild card tournament

TOKYO (Feb. 1) – The wild card tournament to determine which two Japan Rugby Top League sides from those finishing fifth to 12th in the regular season progress to the All-Japan Championship got underway Saturday with wins for NEC Green Rockets and Yamaha Jubilo.

NEC hammered Kubota Spears 47-10, while Yamaha downed Toyota Shokki Shuttles 46-0.

The two sides from the wild card tournament, which concludes next week, will join the top four sides from the Top League and the top four university sides in the season-ending tournament.

Both of Saturday’s games were played at Hanazono Stadium in Osaka and in the first, NEC never trailed after Shindo Kamaike touched down in the 14th minute.

The wing went on to add a second try and fullback Hiromasa Yoshihiro also crossed for a brace as the Green Rockets, who finished eighth in the regular season, proved too strong for the Spears, who finished ninth.

In the game between Yamaha (fifth) and Shokki (12th), Male Sa’u and Takeshi Hino both crossed twice for Jubilo, while Ayumu Goromaru weighed in with five conversions and two penalty goals.

On Sunday, Canon Eagles (seventh) take on Kintetsu Liners (10th) and Toyota Verblitz (sixth) play Ricoh Black Rams (11th).