Latest news with #BraveLupus
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Rugby: Bond between Mo'unga, Leitch underpinned Brave Lupus triumph
By Sean Miyaguchi, KYODO NEWS - 17 hours ago - 16:51 | Sports, Rugby, All As the final siren signaled an end to this year's Japan Rugby League One final, victorious man-of-the-match Richie Mo'unga immediately looked for one Brave Lupus Tokyo teammate. The former All Black wanted to share the moment at Tokyo's National Stadium with captain Michael Leitch, who Mo'unga credited with helping him find his way in Japan over the past two seasons, culminating in back-to-back titles with Sunday's 18-13 win over the Kubota Spears. Mo'unga, who was visibly emotional at the end of the match in front of 51,009, likened the Brave Lupus No. 8 and Japan's 2019 Rugby World Cup skipper to a "big brother" whose influence was felt throughout the Toshiba-owned club, based in the western Tokyo city of Fuchu. "The first person I sort of looked for was Leitchy," said the 31-year-old Mo'unga, after playing through a broken hand in the final. "I'm so proud of him and just in awe of what he does for this club and the man that he is, and what he stands for." While foreign stars have tended to play in Japan on short-term contracts toward the ends of their careers, Mo'unga arrived during his prime on a three-year deal at the start of last season, giving up the opportunity to play internationally for New Zealand during that time. He described New Zealand-born Leitch, who moved to Japan in high school, as both an inspirational leader and the glue that held together the home-grown and overseas-born players comprising the Brave Lupus squad. "I sort of speak on behalf of a lot of foreign players that come to Toshiba (Brave Lupus), where he just makes life so much easier for us," he said. "He's like a big brother and to see him have the success, for him to captain and lead the side, I'm proud to be a follower of someone like him." The pair had one-on-one time in the week leading up to the final as they undertook injury recovery therapy in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. "I tried to have a conversation with him, but as soon as he gets in there he just sleeps," Mo'unga laughed. Head coach Todd Blackadder said the joint leadership provided by Mo'unga and the 36-year-old Leitch had been the bedrock for Brave Lupus as they became the first two-time champions in the League One era. "Him and Leitchy together are a great combination," Blackadder said. "Together they really lead our team and in different areas -- one could be tactically, once could be mindset, they feed off each other really, really well." Lauding Mo'unga as an "incredible player," Leitch said the star playmaker had embraced life in Fuchu among his new Brave Lupus teammates. "He loves where we live. He loves the club. He showed that through his performance," Leitch said. Related coverage: Rugby: Brave Lupus outlast Spears for back-to-back League One titles Rugby: Brave Lupus aim to retain League One title in trademark style Rugby: Spears hold off Sungoliath to reach League One semis
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Rugby: Back-to-back League One champion Richie Mo'unga repeats as MVP
KYODO NEWS - 9 hours ago - 23:18 | Sports, Rugby, All Brave Lupus Tokyo flyhalf Richie Mo'unga collected his second straight Japan Rugby League One most valuable player award Monday, a day after leading the club to back-to-back championships. The 31-year-old former All Black excelled throughout a 2024-2025 season, culminating in a man-of-the-match performance Sunday as Brave Lupus secured the title with an 18-13 win against the Kubota Spears at Tokyo's National Stadium. He was among a league-best six Brave Lupus players who earned selection to the League One team of the season, joining the likes of No. 8 Michael Leitch and fullback Takuro Matsunaga. South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx and Tongan-born prop Opeti Helu were selected from runners-up Kubota. Shizuoka BlueRevs scrumhalf Shuntaro Kitamura received the rookie of the year award. Related coverage: Rugby: Bond between Mo'unga, Leitch underpinned Brave Lupus triumph Rugby: Brave Lupus outlast Spears for back-to-back League One titles Rugby: Brave Lupus aim to retain League One title in trademark style
Japan Forward
3 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Forward
Toshiba Defends Japan Rugby League One Title
Reporting on the Japan Rugby League One final, golfer Rio Takeda's runner-up finish in the US Women's Open, F1 driver Yuki Tsunoda's struggles and more. Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo players celebrate after winning the Japan Rugby League One playoff final on June 1, 2025, at National Stadium in Tokyo. (©SANKEI) New Zealander Richie Mo'unga scored a tone-setting try in the eighth minute, and Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo collected their second consecutive Japan Rugby League One title on Sunday, June 1. Star flyhalf Mo'unga's squad, which led 8-6 at halftime, held on for an 18-13 triumph over the Kubota Spears in the championship match at Tokyo's National Stadium. In the second half, Toshiba took a commanding 15-6 advantage in the 48th minute on a Yuto Mori try and Mo'unga's conversion. Brave Lupus flyhalf Richie Mo'unga played a starring role in his team's title-clinching victory. (©SANKEI) Mo'unga was the catalyst for Mori's score, initiating the scoring chance after a scrum. His burst of speed in the open field led to a well-timed pass to Mori. The former All Blacks player kicked a penalty goal near the midway point of the second half to make it 18-6. Kubota's Harumichi Tatekawa scored the team's lone try in the 73rd minute. The conversion cut the lead to 18-13. Brave Lupus captain Michael Leitch in action during the second half of the title match. (©SANKEI) After their determined effort over the Spears, Brave Lupus players reacted to their title-clinching performance. Mo'unga, who was named Player of the Match, spoke of the challenge of competing while playing injured. "I broke my right hand in the semifinal (against the Koelco Kobe Steelers on May 24) and was unable to practice for the past week and was still in pain," Mo'unga was quoted as saying by NHK. "But I wanted to win so I chose to play." The popular veteran player added, "For the first try, there was space and I judged that I could use my footwork, so I sensibly chose to dive in. I am happy to win again, and I think it is the result of a solid effort and a [match] that we should have won." Toshiba captain Michael Leitch, a naturalized Japanese citizen, reflected on his club's successful quest to repeat as champs. "It has been a season of learning with each game," Leitch told the media after the match, NHK reported. "I would like to thank the coaches and the support of the non-playing members of the team for helping us win back-to-back championships." The Brave Lupus had a 15-1-2 record in the regular season. Toshiba's Yuto Mori scores a second-half try against Kubota. (©SANKEI) As expressed by Leitch, teamwork was a critical element of Toshiba's success. Mori shared similar sentiments after Toshiba won the match before an announced crowd of 51,009. "At the end, even in the final, we felt like we won as a team," Mori was quoted as saying by Sankei Sports . Rio Takeda tees off the first hole during the final round of the US Women's Open in Erin, Wisconsin, on June 1. (Benny Sieu/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS) LPGA Tour rookie Rio Takeda shot an even-par 72 in the final round of the 80th US Women's Open and finished tied for second with world No 1 Nelly Korda on Sunday, June 1. Takeda completed the tournament with a 5-under 283 at Erin Hills Golf Course in Erin, Wisconsin. Sweden's Maja Stark, who entered the final round with a one-stroke lead, won her first women's golf major with a 7-under 281. Japan's Mao Saigo carded a 73 on Sunday and ended up in a three-way tie for fourth at 4-under 284. Saigo's best 18-hole effort of the tourney was in the second round, when she shot a 66. Compatriot Hinako Shibuno finished at 3-under 285 and tied for seventh. She began the event with a 70, followed by a 69 and a 72 before shooting a 2-over 74 on the final day. Heading into the fourth round, Takeda, Saigo and Shibuno were two strokes off the pace. Takeda made three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey in the final round. She shot a 1-over 37 on the front nine. "If I had made a few more putts down the stretch, I think I could have tied for the lead," Takeda said, according to Kyodo News. Asked about the overall experience of competing at the US Women's Open, the 22-year-old described it in positive terms. "I was a contender for that last day of this major, so it was a very good experience for me," Takeda told a news conference. "Of course I wanted to win and I couldn't. So I'll come back next year and try hard again." [ODDS and EVENS] Rio Takeda Showcases Talent at Blue Bay LPGA in China Haas' Esteban Ocon (left) and Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda in action during the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona. (Juan Medina/REUTERS) Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda placed 13th in Formula One's Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday, June 1 in Barcelona. The Kanagawa Prefecture native had the worst performance in qualifying, placing last among 20 drivers on Saturday, May 31. So, not surprisingly, he looked ahead to the next day's race with more negative vibes than positive feelings. "It just isn't a good feeling, so far what I feel is the car is eating its tires a lot, and every lap, whatever I do, I have the degradation," Tsunoda said, according to F1's official website. But, anyway, hopefully the setup change made a step forward. I'm hoping it will be better, but realistically, I'm a little bit less hopeful." The Spanish Grand Prix was the ninth race on the 2025 F1 calendar. Up next: the Canadian GP on June 15 in Montreal. Max Verstappen Returns to Winning Ways at the Japanese Grand Prix Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches against the New York Yankees on June 1 at Dodger Stadium. (KYODO) Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto had his shortest outing of the Major League Baseball season in a 7-3 home loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday. Yamamoto (6-4, 2.39 ERA) lasted just 3⅔ innings. He allowed seven hits and four runs before being pulled from the game by Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts. Yamamoto had pitched at least five innings in each of his previous 11 starts. Brazilian forward Leo Ceara of the Kashima Antlers leads the with 11 goals in the 2025 season. The soccer standout has appeared in 12 matches for the first-place squad. Author: Ed Odeven Find Ed on JAPAN Forward' s dedicated website, SportsLook . Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven .
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Rugby: Back-to-back League One champion Richie Mo'unga repeats as MVP
KYODO NEWS - 10 minutes ago - 23:18 | Sports, Rugby, All Brave Lupus Tokyo flyhalf Richie Mo'unga collected his second straight Japan Rugby League One most valuable player award Monday, a day after leading the club to back-to-back championships. The 31-year-old former All Black excelled throughout a 2024-2025 season, culminating in a man-of-the-match performance Sunday as Brave Lupus secured the title with an 18-13 win against the Kubota Spears at Tokyo's National Stadium. He was among a league-best six Brave Lupus players who earned selection to the League One team of the season, joining the likes of No. 8 Michael Leitch and fullback Takuro Matsunaga. South Africa hooker Malcolm Marx and Tongan-born prop Opeti Helu were selected from runners-up Kubota. Shizuoka BlueRevs scrumhalf Shuntaro Kitamura received the rookie of the year award. Related coverage: Rugby: Bond between Mo'unga, Leitch underpinned Brave Lupus triumph Rugby: Brave Lupus outlast Spears for back-to-back League One titles Rugby: Brave Lupus aim to retain League One title in trademark style
Kyodo News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Kyodo News
Rugby: Bond between Mo'unga, Leitch underpinned Brave Lupus triumph
By Sean Miyaguchi, KYODO NEWS - 8 minutes ago - 16:51 | Sports, Rugby, All As the final siren signaled an end to this year's Japan Rugby League One final, victorious man-of-the-match Richie Mo'unga immediately looked for one Brave Lupus Tokyo teammate. The former All Black wanted to share the moment at Tokyo's National Stadium with captain Michael Leitch, who Mo'unga credited with helping him find his way in Japan over the past two seasons, culminating in back-to-back titles with Sunday's 18-13 win over the Kubota Spears. Mo'unga, who was visibly emotional at the end of the match in front of 51,009, likened the Brave Lupus No. 8 and Japan's 2019 Rugby World Cup skipper to a "big brother" whose influence was felt throughout the Toshiba-owned club, based in the western Tokyo city of Fuchu. "The first person I sort of looked for was Leitchy," said the 31-year-old Mo'unga, after playing through a broken hand in the final. "I'm so proud of him and just in awe of what he does for this club and the man that he is, and what he stands for." While foreign stars have tended to play in Japan on short-term contracts toward the ends of their careers, Mo'unga arrived during his prime on a three-year deal at the start of last season, giving up the opportunity to play internationally for New Zealand during that time. He described New Zealand-born Leitch, who moved to Japan in high school, as both an inspirational leader and the glue that held together the home-grown and overseas-born players comprising the Brave Lupus squad. "I sort of speak on behalf of a lot of foreign players that come to Toshiba (Brave Lupus), where he just makes life so much easier for us," he said. "He's like a big brother and to see him have the success, for him to captain and lead the side, I'm proud to be a follower of someone like him." The pair had one-on-one time in the week leading up to the final as they undertook injury recovery therapy in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. "I tried to have a conversation with him, but as soon as he gets in there he just sleeps," Mo'unga laughed. Head coach Todd Blackadder said the joint leadership provided by Mo'unga and the 36-year-old Leitch had been the bedrock for Brave Lupus as they became the first two-time champions in the League One era. "Him and Leitchy together are a great combination," Blackadder said. "Together they really lead our team and in different areas -- one could be tactically, once could be mindset, they feed off each other really, really well." Lauding Mo'unga as an "incredible player," Leitch said the star playmaker had embraced life in Fuchu among his new Brave Lupus teammates. "He loves where we live. He loves the club. He showed that through his performance," Leitch said. Related coverage: Rugby: Brave Lupus outlast Spears for back-to-back League One titles Rugby: Brave Lupus aim to retain League One title in trademark style Rugby: Spears hold off Sungoliath to reach League One semis
