2019 Top League Cup

The 2019 Top League Cup was the second edition of the Top League Cup, a rugby union cup competition for Japan's Top League and Top Challenge League teams. This was the first time Top Challenge League teams played in the competition, after the 2018–19 featured Top League teams only.[1]

2019 Top League Cup
CountriesJapan
Date22 June – 10 August 2019
ChampionsKobelco Steelers
Runners-upKubota Spears

Competition rules

The 24 Top League and Top Challenge League teams were divided into four pools for the first stage of the competition, seeded as per their final positions in the 2018–19 season. Each pool consisted of a top seed that finished in the top four of the 2018–19 Top League, a second seed that finished between 5th and 8th, a third seed that finished between 9th and 12th, a fourth seed that finished between 13th and 16th, a fifth seed that finished in the top four of the 2018 Top Challenge League and a sixth seed that either finished between 5th and 8th, or was newly-promoted to the Top Challenge League. Each team played the five other teams in their pool once.

The four group winners qualified to the finals tournament semifinals, with the two semifinal winners progressing to the final.

Teams

The following teams took part in the 2019 Top League Cup competition:

Team Name Pool 2018–19 placing Region
Canon EaglesC12th (Top League) Machida, Tokyo, Kanto
Coca-Cola Red SparksC16th (Top League) Fukuoka, Kyushu
Hino Red DolphinsA14th (Top League) Hino, Tokyo Metropolis
Honda HeatA9th (Top League) Suzuka, Mie Prefecture
Kamaishi SeawavesC7th (Top Challenge League) Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture
Kintetsu LinersD3rd (Top Challenge League) Higashiosaka, Osaka, Kansai
Kobelco SteelersD1st (Top League) Kobe, Kansai
Kubota SpearsC7th (Top League) Abiko, Chiba, Kanto
Kurita Water GushA4th (Top Challenge League) Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Kyuden VoltexB5th (Top Challenge League) Fukuoka, Kyushu
Mazda Blue ZoomersD6th (Top Challenge League) Fuchu, Hiroshima Prefecture
Mitsubishi DynaBoarsC2nd (Top Challenge League) Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture
Munakata Sanix BluesB14th (Top League) Munakata, Fukuoka, Kyushu
NEC Green RocketsD10th (Top League) Abiko, Chiba, Kanto
NTT Red HurricanesB1st (Top Challenge League) Osaka, Kansai
NTT Shining ArcsB5th (Top League) Chiba, Chiba, Kanto
Panasonic Wild KnightsA6th (Top League) Ota, Gunma, Kanto
Ricoh Black RamsD8th (Top League) Tokyo, Kanto
Shimizu Blue SharksAPromoted to Top Challenge League Chūō, Tokyo Metropolis
Suntory SungoliathA2nd (Top League) Fuchu, Tokyo, Kanto
Toshiba Brave LupusB11th (Top League) Fuchu, Tokyo, Kanto
Toyota Industries ShuttlesD15th (Top League) Aichi, Mizuho
Toyota VerblitzC4th (Top League) Toyota, Aichi, Tokai
Yamaha JúbiloB3rd (Top League) Iwata, Shizuoka, Tokai

Pool phase

Pool A
2019–20 Top League Cup Pool A
# Team P W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Notes
1 Suntory Sungoliath 55002453720824 Advance to final tournament
2 Panasonic Wild Knights 54011848310120
3 Honda Heat 5302109116−714
4 Hino Red Dolphins 52031671184912
5 Kurita Water Gush 510453177−1244
6 Shimizu Blue Sharks 500555282−2270
22 June 2019 Kurita Water Gush 3–33 Honda Heat Kumagaya Rugby Stadium  
11:45 Report[2]
22 June 2019 Suntory Sungoliath 88–5 Shimizu Blue Sharks Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
14:00 Report[3]
22 June 2019 Panasonic Wild Knights 31–29 Hino Red Dolphins Kumagaya Rugby Stadium  
14:00 Report[4]
29 June 2019 Panasonic Wild Knights 55–14 Shimizu Blue Sharks Ashikaga Athletic stadium  
13:00 Report[5]
29 June 2019 Hino Red Dolphins 40–12 Kurita Water Gush Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
14:00 Report[6]
30 June 2019 Honda Heat 3–40 Suntory Sungoliath Suzuka Sports Garden Rugby Ground (Mie)  
14:00 Report[7]
6 July 2019 Shimizu Blue Sharks 12–76 Hino Red Dolphins Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground  
14:00 Report[8]
6 July 2019 Suntory Sungoliath 55–7 Kurita Water Gush Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground  
16:30 Report[9]
6 July 2019 Panasonic Wild Knights 40–7 Honda Heat Kumagaya Rugby Stadium  
19:00 Report[10]
12 July 2019 Hino Red Dolphins 3–39 Suntory Sungoliath Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
19:30 Report[11]
13 July 2019 Honda Heat 42–14 Shimizu Blue Sharks Suzuka Sports Garden Rugby Ground (Mie)  
19:00 Report[12]
13 July 2019 Kurita Water Gush 10–39 Panasonic Wild Knights Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium  
19:00 Report[13]
19 July 2019 Suntory Sungoliath 23–19 Panasonic Wild Knights Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
19:30 Report[14]
20 July 2019 Shimizu Blue Sharks 10–21 Kurita Water Gush Sagamihara Gion Stadium  
16:30 Report[15]
20 July 2019 Honda Heat 24–19 Hino Red Dolphins Suzuka Sports Garden Rugby Ground (Mie)  
19:00 Report[16]

Pool B
2019–20 Top League Cup Pool B
# Team P W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Notes
1 Toshiba Brave Lupus 55001948211223 Advance to final tournament
2 NTT Com Shining Arcs 54012157613920
3 Yamaha Jubilo 53021908610416
4 NTT Red Hurricanes 5203111117−610
5 Munakata Sanix Blues 510450206−1564
6 Kyuden Voltex 500570263−1931
22 June 2019 NTT Red Hurricanes 33–5 Munakata Sanix Blues Higashiomi Nobiki Sports Park Stadium  
12:00 Report[17]
22 June 2019 Yamaha Jubilo 62–12 Kyuden Voltex Tsukisamu (Hokkaido)  
13:00 Report[18]
23 June 2019 NTT Com Shining Arcs 24–31 Toshiba Brave Lupus Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
13:00 Report[19]
29 June 2019 Kyuden Voltex 5–45 NTT Red Hurricanes Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu  
11:30 Report[20]
29 June 2019 Munakata Sanix Blues 6–57 NTT Com Shining Arcs Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu  
14:00 Report[21]
29 June 2019 Yamaha Jubilo 21–24 Toshiba Brave Lupus Shizuoka Stadium ECOPA  
14:30 Report[22]
5 July 2019 NTT Red Hurricanes 12–36 Yamaha Jubilo Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium  
19:30 Report[23]
6 July 2019 NTT Com Shining Arcs 67–14 Kyuden Voltex Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium  
11:30 Report[24]
6 July 2019 Toshiba Brave Lupus 42–5 Munakata Sanix Blues National Training Center J-Village  
16:00 Report[25]
13 July 2019 Munakata Sanix Blues 27–22 Kyuden Voltex Global Arena  
17:00 Report[26]
13 July 2019 Yamaha Jubilo 19–31 NTT Com Shining Arcs Yamaha Stadium  
17:00 Report[27]
13 July 2019 Toshiba Brave Lupus 35–15 NTT Red Hurricanes Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
19:00 Report[28]
19 July 2019 NTT Red Hurricanes 6–36 NTT Com Shining Arcs Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium  
19:30 Report[29]
20 July 2019 Kyuden Voltex 17–62 Toshiba Brave Lupus Level 5 Stadium  
16:30 Report[30]
20 July 2019 Munakata Sanix Blues 7–52 Yamaha Jubilo Level 5 Stadium  
19:00 Report[31]

Pool C
2019–20 Top League Cup Pool C
# Team P W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Notes
1 Kubota Spears 5500121427923 Advance to final tournament
2 Canon Eagles 5401131597220
3 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 5302101112−1114
4 Kamaishi Seawaves 520354160−1069
5 Mitsubishi DynaBoars 51045387−347
6 Toyota Verblitz 50050000 Withdrew from competition
22 June 2019 Kubota Spears 43–7 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Edogawa Stadium  
13:00 Report[32]
23 June 2019 Kamaishi Seawaves 7–55 Canon Eagles Morioka Minami  
14:00 Report[33]
29 June 2019 Kamaishi Seawaves 7–39 Kubota Spears Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
11:30 Report[34]
30 June 2019 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 25–24 Mitsubishi DynaBoars Honjo Athletic Stadium  
13:00 Report[35]
6 July 2019 Canon Eagles 33–17 Coca-Cola Red Sparks Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
16:30 Report[36]
6 July 2019 Mitsubishi DynaBoars 7–12 Kubota Spears Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
19:00 Report[37]
13 July 2019 Canon Eagles 21–27 Kubota Spears Expo '70 Commemorative Stadium  
16:30 Report[38]
13 July 2019 Mitsubishi DynaBoars 14–28 Kamaishi Seawaves Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
16:30 Report[39]
20 July 2019 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 52–12 Kamaishi Seawaves EGAO Kenko Stadium  
18:30 Report[40]
20 July 2019 Mitsubishi DynaBoars 8–22 Canon Eagles Sagamihara Gion Stadium  
19:00 Report[41]

Pool D
2019–20 Top League Cup Pool D
# Team P W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Notes
1 Kobelco Steelers 55002117713423 Advance to final tournament
2 Kintetsu Liners 54012108912119
3 NEC Green Rockets 5302119125−614
4 Ricoh Black Rams 5203162788412
5 Toyota Industries Shuttles 510469174−1054
6 Mazda Blue Zoomers 500558286−2281
22 June 2019 NEC Green Rockets 43–12 Mazda Blue Zoomers Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
11:30 Report[42]
22 June 2019 Toyota Industries Shuttles 14–36 Ricoh Black Rams Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium  
13:00 Report[43]
22 June 2019 Kobelco Steelers 22–14 Kintetsu Liners Kimiidera Athletic Stadium  
17:00 Report[44]
28 June 2019 NEC Green Rockets 7–5 Ricoh Black Rams Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
19:30 Report[45]
29 June 2019 Kobelco Steelers 38–12 Toyota Industries Shuttles Naruto Otsuka Sports Park Pocarisweat Stadium  
13:00 Report[46]
30 June 2019 Kintetsu Liners 50–10 Mazda Blue Zoomers Suzuka Sports Garden Rugby Ground (Mie)  
11:30 Report[47]
5 July 2019 Ricoh Black Rams 13–19 Kobelco Steelers Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
19:30 Report[48]
6 July 2019 Mazda Blue Zoomers 24–26 Toyota Industries Shuttles Tawarayama Spa Stadium, Yamaguchi  
15:00 Report[49]
6 July 2019 NEC Green Rockets 19–56 Kintetsu Liners Kumagaya Rugby Stadium  
16:45 Report[50]
13 July 2019 Kintetsu Liners 38–26 Ricoh Black Rams Coca Cola Bottlers Japan Inc Hiroshima Stadium  
15:00 Report[51]
13 July 2019 Toyota Industries Shuttles 5–24 NEC Green Rockets Suzuka Sports Garden Rugby Ground (Mie)  
16:30 Report[52]
13 July 2019 Mazda Blue Zoomers 12–85 Kobelco Steelers Coca-Cola Stadium, Hiroshima  
17:30 Report[53]
19 July 2019 Kobelco Steelers 47–26 NEC Green Rockets Universiade Memorial Stadium (Kobe Sports Park)  
19:30 Report[54]
20 July 2019 Toyota Industries Shuttles 12–52 Kintetsu Liners Suzuka Sports Garden Rugby Ground (Mie)  
16:30 Report[55]
20 July 2019 Ricoh Black Rams 82–0 Mazda Blue Zoomers Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground (Tokyo)  
16:30 Report[56]

Cup playoffs

Semifinals
4 August 2019 Suntory Sungoliath 26–32 Kobelco Steelers Yanmar Field Nagai  
17:00 Report[57]
4 August 2019 Kubota Spears 31–24 Toshiba Brave Lupus NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium  
17:00 Report[58]

Final
10 August 2019 Kobelco Steelers 43–7 Kubota Spears Hanazono Rugby Stadium  
18:00 Report[59]

References
  1. "「ジャパンラグビー トップリーグカップ2019（仮称）」大会概要／プール組分け" [Japan Rugby Top League Cup 2019 Competition overview / pool grouping] (Press release) (in Japanese). Top League. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  2. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Kurita Water Gush v Honda Heat". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  3. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Suntory Sungoliath v Shimizu Blue Sharks". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  4. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Panasonic Wild Knights v Hino Red Dolphins". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  5. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Panasonic Wild Knights v Shimizu Blue Sharks". Rugby Japan. 29 June 2019.
  6. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Hino Red Dolphins v Kurita Water Gush". Rugby Japan. 29 June 2019.
  7. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Honda Heat v Suntory Sungoliath". Rugby Japan. 30 June 2019.
  8. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Shimizu Blue Sharks v Hino Red Dolphins". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  9. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Suntory Sungoliath v Kurita Water Gush". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  10. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Panasonic Wild Knights v Honda Heat". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  11. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Hino Red Dolphins v Suntory Sungoliath". Rugby Japan. 12 July 2019.
  12. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Honda Heat v Shimizu Blue Sharks". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  13. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Kurita Water Gush v Panasonic Wild Knights". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  14. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Suntory Sungoliath v Panasonic Wild Knights". Rugby Japan. 19 July 2019.
  15. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Shimizu Blue Sharks v Kurita Water Gush". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  16. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Honda Heat v Hino Red Dolphins". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  17. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: NTT Red Hurricanes v Munakata Sanix Blues". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  18. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Yamaha Jubilo v Kyuden Voltex". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  19. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: NTT Com Shining Arcs v Toshiba Brave Lupus". Rugby Japan. 23 June 2019.
  20. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Kyuden Voltex v NTT Red Hurricanes". Rugby Japan. 29 June 2019.
  21. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Munakata Sanix Blues v NTT Com Shining Arcs". Rugby Japan. 29 June 2019.
  22. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Yamaha Jubilo v Toshiba Brave Lupus". Rugby Japan. 29 June 2019.
  23. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: NTT Red Hurricanes v Yamaha Jubilo". Rugby Japan. 5 July 2019.
  24. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: NTT Com Shining Arcs v Kyuden Voltex". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  25. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Toshiba Brave Lupus v Munakata Sanix Blues". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  26. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Munakata Sanix Blues v Kyuden Voltex". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  27. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Yamaha Jubilo v NTT Com Shining Arcs". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  28. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Toshiba Brave Lupus v NTT Red Hurricanes". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  29. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: NTT Red Hurricanes v NTT Com Shining Arcs". Rugby Japan. 19 July 2019.
  30. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Kyuden Voltex v Toshiba Brave Lupus". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  31. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Munakata Sanix Blues v Yamaha Jubilo". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  32. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Kubota Spears v Coca-Cola Red Sparks". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  33. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Kamaishi Seawaves v Canon Eagles". Rugby Japan. 23 June 2019.
  34. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Kamaishi Seawaves v Kubota Spears". Rugby Japan. 29 June 2019.
  35. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Coca-Cola Red Sparks v Mitsubishi DynaBoars". Rugby Japan. 30 June 2019.
  36. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Canon Eagles v Coca-Cola Red Sparks". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  37. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Mitsubishi DynaBoars v Kubota Spears". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  38. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Canon Eagles v Kubota Spears". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  39. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Mitsubishi DynaBoars v Kamaishi Seawaves". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  40. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Coca-Cola Red Sparks v Kamaishi Seawaves". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  41. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Mitsubishi DynaBoars v Canon Eagles". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  42. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: NEC Green Rockets v Mazda Blue Zoomers". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  43. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Toyota Industries Shuttles v Ricoh Black Rams". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  44. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 1: Kobelco Steelers v Kintetsu Liners". Rugby Japan. 22 June 2019.
  45. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: NEC Green Rockets v Ricoh Black Rams". Rugby Japan. 28 June 2019.
  46. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Kobelco Steelers v Toyota Industries Shuttles". Rugby Japan. 29 June 2019.
  47. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 2: Kintetsu Liners v Mazda Blue Zoomers". Rugby Japan. 30 June 2019.
  48. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Ricoh Black Rams v Kobelco Steelers". Rugby Japan. 5 July 2019.
  49. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: Mazda Blue Zoomers v Toyota Industries Shuttles". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  50. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 3: NEC Green Rockets v Kintetsu Liners". Rugby Japan. 6 July 2019.
  51. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Kintetsu Liners v Ricoh Black Rams". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  52. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Toyota Industries Shuttles v NEC Green Rockets". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  53. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 4: Mazda Blue Zoomers v Kobelco Steelers". Rugby Japan. 13 July 2019.
  54. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Kobelco Steelers v NEC Green Rockets". Rugby Japan. 19 July 2019.
  55. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Toyota Industries Shuttles v Kintetsu Liners". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  56. "Top League Cup 2019 Round 5: Ricoh Black Rams v Mazda Blue Zoomers". Rugby Japan. 20 July 2019.
  57. "Top League Cup 2019 Semifinal: Munakata Sanix Blues v NEC Green Rockets". Rugby Japan. 12 January 2020.
  58. "Top League Cup 2019 Semifinal: Munakata Sanix Blues v NEC Green Rockets". Rugby Japan. 12 January 2020.
  59. "Top League Cup 2019 Final: Munakata Sanix Blues v NEC Green Rockets". Rugby Japan. 12 January 2020.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.