Top League Promotion and Relegation Play-offs: Preview
The teams that finished thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth on the final Japan Rugby Top League title in 2017-18 play a one-off promotion and relegation play-off against the teams that finished fourth, third and second in the Top Challenge League to retain their places in Top League for the 2018-19 season.
Coca-Cola Red Sparks (Top League 14) v Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars(Top Challenge League 3)
Date: Saturday, 20 January 2018
Venue: Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu
Kick-off: 11.30
Preview
After 13 straight losses in the regular season, Coca-Cola Red Sparks finally came up with their first win of the season when they beat NTT Docomo 19-14 in the first round of the positional play-offs. The Red Sparks then lost 32-5 to Sanix in Osaka last weekend to finish in fourteenth place overall on the final Top League table. Coca-Cola now take on the challenge of Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars to stay in Top League for next season. The Dynaboars finished third in the Top Challenge League and they will be aiming for a place in Top League for the first time since 2007-08. Coca-Cola will be battle hardened after the long Top League season and this will give them an advantage against Mitsubishi. Captain Kota Yamashita at No8, New Zealand-born lock Mark Abbott and Japan international flyhalf Timothy Lafaele are key players for the Red Sparks while captain and lock Deryck Thomas, hooker Yoshimitsu Yasue and centre Michael Little must use their experience to inspire those around them in the Dynaboars.
Munakata Sanix Blues (Top League 13) v Kyuden Voltex (Top Challenge League 4)
Date: Saturday, 20 January 2018
Venue: Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu
Kick-off: 14.00
Preview
Munakata Sanix Blues finished the regular season with just the one win from 13 rounds. However, they then beat Kintetsu 29-8 in the play-off for thirteenth place before beating Coca-Cola 32-5 last Saturday to finish thirteenth overall. Kyuden finished fourth in the Top Challenge League and they are looking to reclaim their place in Top League for the first time since the 2013-14 season. Number eight Nobuyoshi Arai will lead from the front as the Sanix captain while wily playmaker Hiroshi Tashiro will have a crucial role in the running of the game. The Blues will have the edge in the backs with the likes of wing Andrew Everingham and centre Andre Esterhuizen attack weapons out wide. Kyuden are a good club side, but the lack of Top League experience and the dearth of foreign players will make their task all that much harder.
NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes (Top League 15) v Hino Motors Red Dolphins (Top Challenge League 2)
Date: Saturday, 20 January 2018
Venue: Yanmar Stadium, Osaka
Kick-off: 13.00
Preview
NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes gained promotion back into Top League for the 2017-18 season and finished the season with the very respectable six wins and seven losses. However, Docomo slipped up against Coca-Cola in the positional play-offs allowing Coca-Cola to come over the top 19-14. The Red Hurricanes then saved their season last weekend when they beat Kintetsu 21-13 to claim fifteenth place on the final table. Hino Motors Red Dolphins finished second in the Top Challenge League and they will take the game to Docomo for the full 80 minutes in order to gain a place in Top League for the very first time. The Red Hurricanes worked out how to win tight games this season and with the likes of No8 Warren Whitely, flyhalf Riaan Viljoen and fullback Shota Saiguchi in the ranks they will be hard to beat. The Red Dolphins have come this far and with nothing to lose will throw everything at Docomo. Former Japan and Suntory skipper Takamichi Sasaki leads Hino from the side of the scrum while veteran prop Yuichi Hisadomi and lock Tsuyoshi Murata also have international experience for Japan. Hino also have former Sunwolves playmaker Hayden Cripps on the bench as a game breaker.