Top League

The Top League is a rugby union competition in Japan. It is the highest level of professional rugby competition in the country. The Japan Rugby Football Union created the competition in 2003, by absorbing the Japan Company Rugby Football Championship, to drive up the overall standard and popularity of the sport and improve the results of the Japan national rugby union team. The chief architect of the league was Hiroaki Shukuzawa who strongly felt the urgency of improving Japanese domestic company rugby to a professional level which would allow Japan to compete more convincingly at Rugby World Cups.

This article is about the Japanese professional rugby union. For the Soviet Union association football league, see Soviet Top League.

Top League
Current season or competition:
2019–20 Top League
SportRugby union
Instituted2003
Inaugural season2003–04
Number of teams16
CountryJapan
ChampionsKobelco Steelers (2nd title)
(2018–19)
Most titlesToshiba Brave Lupus & Suntory Sungoliath (5 titles)
Websitewww.top-league.jp
Broadcast partnerDAZN
Related competitionTop Challenge League

It is an industrial league, where many players are employees of their company and the teams are all owned by major companies. The competition is known for paying high salaries, however, only the world class foreign players and a small number of Japanese players play fully professional, which means most of the players still play in an amateur level.

The first season in 2003–04 featured 12 teams. The league was expanded to 14 teams in 2006–07 and 16 teams in 2013–14. The Top League is played during the off-season of the Super Rugby, Therefore, many full-time foreign professionals from Southern Hemisphere countries have played in the Top League, notably Tony Brown, George Gregan and Dan Carter. In the 2010s, salaries in the Top League have risen to become some of the highest in the rugby world; in 2012, South Africa's Jaque Fourie, now with Kobelco Steelers, was widely reported to be the world's highest-paid player.[1]

Developments
  • 2014–15: Playoff tournament sponsored as the Lixil Cup.[2]
  • 2014–15: Video referee (TMO) decisions introduced for all league games.[2]
  • 2013–14: The league was expanded from 14 to 16 teams.
  • 2009–10: One of the three foreign players allowed on the field must have played, or be eligible, for Japan.[3]
  • 2008–09: Three foreign players per team are allowed on the field at one time, one more than previously. Additionally, one member of an Asian union (such as South Korean Kim Kwang Mo for Sanyo Wild Knights) is permitted to take the field for each team.
  • 2008–09: Video referee (TMO) decisions were introduced for the Microsoft Cup play-off tournament.
  • 2007–08: A timekeeping system independent of the referee was introduced.
  • 2006–07: The league was expanded from 12 to 14 teams.
Main article: Top Challenge League

A second tier Top League Challenge Series was also introduced in 2003. Between 2003–04 and 2016–17, teams from three regional leagues would qualify to this post-season competition, in which they could either win promotion to the next season's Top League, or qualify to promotion play-off matches.

In 2017, a second-tier Top Challenge League was introduced, to operate in a league format above the regional leagues.[4]

The regional leagues are:

Seasons

Sixteen teams: 2012 onwards

Fourteen teams: 2006 to 2012

Ninth season (2011–12)
Main article: 2011–12 Top League

NTT Shining Arcs and Yamaha Jubilo which won their 2005 promotion/relegation play-offs (Irekaesen) against Canon Eagles and Kyuden Voltex to retain their places for the 2011–12 season. The following teams were in the league:

The top 4 sides of the regular season (Suntory, Toshiba, Sanyo, and NEC) competed in the 2012 Top League Champions Cup knock-out tournament for the Top League title at Chichibu, Tokyo. Suntory defeated Sanyo 47–28 in the final to win the title. Both teams met again a few weeks later in the final of the 49th All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

Additionally, in the Wildcard play-offs, the Top League teams ranked 5th and 8th (Kintetsu Liners and Yamaha Jubilo) played each other at Hanazono, Osaka, as did the teams ranked 6th and 7th (Kobe Steelers and Ricoh Black Rams), with the winners (Kobe and Yamaha) also qualifying for the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

Eighth season (2010–11)
Main article: 2010–11 Top League

Honda Heat and Kyuden Voltex were automatically relegated at the completion of the 2009–10 season for finishing 13th and 14th. Toyota Industries Shuttles and NTT Communications Shining Arcs won promotion through the Top Challenge series. The following teams were in the league:

The top 4 sides (Toshiba, Sanyo, Toyota and Suntory) from the regular season competed in a knock out tournament to fight for the Top League title. In the final, Sanyo defeated Suntory 28–23.

Seventh season (2009–10)
Main article: 2009–10 Top League

IBM Big Blue and Yokogawa Atlastars were automatically relegated at the completion of the 2008–9 season for finishing 13th and 14th. Ricoh and Honda won promotion through the Top Challenge series. Kyuden and Sanix retained their places in Top League when they won their respective promotion and relegation play-offs. The following teams were in the league:

Sixth season (2008–9)
Main article: 2008–09 Top League

Kintetsu Liners returned to the league, and Yokogawa Denki were promoted for the first time (and renamed Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars in the off season). They replaced Ricoh Black Rams and Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars. The following teams were in the league:

Fifth season (2007–8)
Fukuoka Sanix Blues v Kyuden Voltex at Global Arena, Round 11, 20 January 2008
Main article: 2007–08 Top League

Kyuden Voltex and Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars joined the league for the first time. The following 14 teams were in the Top League in the 2007–08 season:

The top four teams (Sanyo, Suntory, Toyota and Toshiba) played in the fifth Microsoft Cup to decide the league champion. Suntory beat Sanyo 14–10 in the final to become the 2007–08 champions. Mitsubishi (14th) and Ricoh (13th) were automatically relegated.

Fourth season (2006–7)
Main article: 2006–07 Top League

The number of teams was increased from 12 to 14. Coca-Cola West Red Sparks became the second Kyushu-based team in the Top League. IBM returned to the league.

The top four teams in the league played in the Microsoft Cup which was officially integrated into the league from this season as the "Top League Play-off Tournament Microsoft Cup". Toshiba won the cup and also won the All-Japan Championship. Secom and World (13th and 14th) were automatically relegated, to be replaced by Kyuden Voltex, the third team from Kyushu to enter the league, and Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars from Kanto.

Twelve teams 2003 to 2006

Third season (2005–6)
Main article: 2005–06 Top League

After the pre-season 2005 Challenge series, Secom and Sanix returned after a year out of the league, replacing Kintetsu and IBM. The following 12 teams competed in the third season:

Toshiba again won both the league round-robin and the Microsoft Cup knockout competition contested by the top 8 teams after the regular season. Coca-Cola West Japan (now Coca-Cola West Red Sparks) gained promotion to the League at the end of the season. IBM also gained promotion to return to the league.

Second season (2004–5)
Main article: 2004–05 Top League

Following the 2004 Challenge series with IBM and Toyota being promoted, the following 12 teams competed in the second season:

Toshiba won both the league round-robin and the Microsoft Cup knockout competition contested by the top 8 teams after the regular season. The eleventh and twelfth teams (Kintetsu and IBM) were automatically relegated, and the ninth and tenth placed teams (World and Ricoh) had to win their 2005 promotion and relegation play-offs (Irekaesen) to stay in the Top League, which they did.

First season (2003–4)
Main article: 2003–04 Top League

The first season began with 12 teams:

Toshiba won the inaugural Top League title by finishing on top of the round-robin competition. The top eight teams qualified for the inaugural Microsoft Cup. Toshiba went on to lose the final of Microsoft Cup to NEC, but the cup was considered a separate competition to the Top League prior to 2007. Secom and Sanix were relegated at the end of the season. IBM and Toyota were promoted.

Champions
Season Top League champions
2003–04 Kobelco Steelers*
2004–05 Toshiba Brave Lupus
2005–06 Toshiba Brave Lupus
2006–07 Toshiba Brave Lupus
2007–08 Suntory Sungoliath
2008–09 Toshiba Brave Lupus
2009–10 Toshiba Brave Lupus
2010–11 Sanyo Wild Knights
2011–12 Suntory Sungoliath
2012–13 Suntory Sungoliath
2013–14 Panasonic Wild Knights
2014–15 Panasonic Wild Knights
2015–16 Panasonic Wild Knights
2016–17 Suntory Sungoliath
2017–18 Suntory Sungoliath
2018–19 Kobelco Steelers
Notes
* NEC Green Rockets won the Microsoft Cup in 2003–04. The Cup was considered a separate competition to the Top League prior to 2007.

Notable foreign players

The following foreign players that have played in the Top League have either won or been nominated for a major IRB award, played in a Rugby World Cup, played for a combined-nations touring side, or captained their national team.

Adam Ashley-Cooper (2017–2018) – 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cup
Berrick Barnes (2013–present) – 2007 and 2011 World Cup
Matt Cockbain (2004–2006) – 1999 (World Champions) and 2003 World Cup
Bernard Foley (2015–2016)– 2015 World Cup
Mark Gerrard (2010–2018)– 2003 and 2007 World Cup
Matt Giteau (2017–present)– 2003, 2007 and 2015 World Cup
George Gregan (2008–2011)– 1999 (World Champions), 2003 (Captain) and 2007 (Captain) World Cup
Nathan Grey (2003–2011)– 1999 (World Champions) and 2003 World Cup
Digby Ioane (2017–present)– 2011 World Cup
Toutai Kefu (2004–2010)– 1999 (World Champions) and 2003 World Cup
Stephen Larkham (2008–2011)– 1999 (World Champions), 2003 and 2007 World Cup
Ben McCalman (2015–2016)– 2011 and 2015 World Cup
Sean McMahon (2017–present) – 2015 World Cup
Wycliff Palu (2016–2017)– 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cup
David Pocock (2016–2018)– 2011 and 2015 World Cup, 2010 and 2011 IRB Player of the Year finalist
Joe Roff (2005–2006)– 1999 (World Champions) and 2003 World Cup
George Smith (2011–2018)– 2003 and 2007 World Cup and 2001 IRB Player of the Year nominee
Craig Wing (2010–2013)– Australian Rugby League international
Colin Yukes– 2003 and 2007 World Cup
James Haskell (2011–2012)– 2011 World Cup
Geoff Parling (2017–2018)– 2012 British and Irish Lions
Kele Leawere– 2003 and 2007 World Cups
Nemani Nadolo– 2015 World Cup
Marika Vunibaka– 1999 and 2003 World Cups
Tony Brown– 1999 World Cup
Dan Carter (2018–present) – 2003 and 2007 World Cups, 2011 and 2015 (World Champions)
Jerry Collins– 2003 and 2007 World Cups
Ryan Crotty– 2019 World Cup
Rico Gear– 20-capped New Zealand international
Jerome Kaino– 2011 and 2015 World Cups (World Champions)
Leon MacDonald– 2003 and 2007 World Cup
Ma'a Nonu (2011–2012)– 2003, 2007 and 2011 (World Champions)
Glen Osborne– 1995 and 1999 World Cup
Kieran Read– 2011, 2015 (World Champions) and 2019 World Cups
Brodie Retallick– 2015 (World Champions) and 2019 World Cups
Reuben Thorne– 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups
Matt Todd– 2019 World Cup
Sam Whitelock– 2011, 2015 (World Champions) and 2019 World Cups
Sonny Bill Williams (2012)– 2011 and 2015 World Cups (World Champions)
Seilala Mapusua– 2007 and 2011 World Cup and 2004, 2006, 2008 Pacific Islanders
Semo Sititi– 1999, 2003 and 2007 (Captain) World Cup and 2004, 2006, 2008 Pacific Islanders
Alesana Tuilagi– 2007 and 2011 World Cup and 2006 Pacific Islanders
Thinus Delport (2008–2010)– 2003 World Cup
Jacque Fourie– 2006 and 2009 IRB Player of the Year nominee
Fourie du Preez (2011–2016)– 2007 (World Champions) and 2011 World Cup
Danie Rossouw– 2003, 2007 (World Champions) and 2011 World Cup
Jaco van der Westhuyzen– 2003 (Captain) World Cup
Pierre Hola– 2003 and 2007 World Cup
Hale T-Pole– 2007 World Cup
Sione Tu'ipulotu– 1999 and 2007 World Cup
Todd Clever– 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cup; former USA captain
Mike Hercus (2008–2009)– 2003 and 2007 World Cup
Shane Williams– 2003, 2007, 2011 World Cup and 2005, 2009 and 2013 Lions
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See also

References
  1. "The 4.25 million pound question". ESPN Scrum. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2012.
  2. "Top League to introduce new officiating system this season". Japan Times. 21 August 2014. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015.
  3. Daily Yomiuri, 28 February 2008
  4. "Japan to add second-tier rugby league in 2017". Japan Times. 19 August 2016. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
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