Panasonic, Toshiba to face off in LIXIL Cup final

TOKYO (Jan. 16) – Panasonic Wild Knights will play Toshiba Brave Lupus in next week’s LIXIL Cup final – the playoff tournament to determine the 2015-16 Japan Rugby Top league champions – following Saturday’s semifinals.

In Tokyo, Panasonic beat Kobe Kobelco Steelers 42-10 thanks to another masterful performance from Hayden Parker, who kicked six penalties, three conversions and a drop goal from as many attempts.

Yasutaka Sasakura touched down twice and JP Pietersen also crossed for the two-time defending champions.

Meanwhile in Osaka, Richard Kahui bagged a hat trick of tries and Keisuke Masuda picked up a brace as Toshiba beat last year’s finalists Yamaha Jubilo 34-22.

Panasonic and Toshiba meet next Sunday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, straight after Yamaha and Kobe have battled it out for third place.

Tries from Justin Ives, Tim Bennetts and Adam Thomson helped Canon Eagles beat Kintetsu Liners 24-18, while Ruan Smith touched down twice for Toyota Verblitz as they beat NTT Communications Shining Arcs 32-21.

The Eagles and Verblitz will play next Saturday in Nagoya for fifth spot while the Liners and Shining Arcs battle it out for seventh.

Kosei Ono scored two tries, six conversions and a penalty goal as Suntory Sungoliath topped Honda Heat 45-14. They play Toyota Industries next week for ninth spot after the Shuttles beat Kubota Spears 30-19.

While there is no automatic relegation this season, there is still plenty to play for next week as the games among the bottom four sides will determine the seedings for the promotion/relegation playoffs against the top four regional sides.

Coca-Cola Red Sparks will take on Ricoh Black Rams for 13th spot, while NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes face NEC Green Rockets for 15th after Cola beat Docomo 39-21 and Ricoh defeated NEC 31-5.