48th YCAC Japan Sevens

The cream of Japan’s rugby crop mix it up in Yokohama

Photos by Simon Ryan

There used to be a time in the not so distant past when sevens tournaments marked the change of seasons. It was a time for players to give the boots one last run-out before summer came, and it gave fans the opportunity to give the barbecue its first airing of the year.

The rugby may have been hard—the same size pitch as in a normal game but with only half the number of players—but the emphasis at tournaments such as the Melrose Sevens and the Middlesex Sevens was on the occasion and the off-field fun for players and fans alike.

The advent of professionalism in 1995 changed all that, with the International Rugby Board now running a worldwide sevens circuit. While the off-field shenanigans remain an important part of any tournament for the fans—one only has to go to Hong Kong to realize that—on the field, things are very, very serious. And on April 9, rugby fans in Japan will get the opportunity to experience it firsthand, when the Yokohama Country and Athletic Club hosts the 48th YCAC Japan Sevens at its ground in Yamate.

With Japan no longer a venue on the IRB world circuit, the Japan Rugby Football Union has run the Japan Sevens along with the YCAC for a number of years now, giving fans the opportunity to see some of the top players in the land and to be as close to the action as they can get.

“The YCAC Japan Sevens is a prestigious tournament and an important part of the Japanese rugby calendar,” YCAC rugby club president Simon Ryan says. “In fact, outside of the 15-a-side game, it’s the biggest rugby tournament in Japan.”

With plenty of food and beverage stores surrounding the field, it’s the ideal opportunity to say farewell to the season and greet a number of recently arrived foreigners, who often make their debut for their new clubs at the tournament.

One such player is Amasio Valence, a true superstar of the sevens circuit. The New Zealand playmaker, who has appeared in more IRB tournaments than any other player, will suit up for Fukuoka Sanix Blues next season.

The YCAC, one of the only teams to trouble eventual champions IBM last year, looks to claim some silverware in 2006

The Blues are one of four Top League teams taking part in the tournament, along with recently promoted Coca Cola West Japan, Secom Rugguts and Yamaha Jubilo, who could well arrive with their Fijian-born superstar, Marika Vunibaka, and Brendan “Chainsaw” Laney.

However, all four sides will be keeping a close eye on Waseda University. The Tokyo school has become the dominant force in university rugby in recent years, and their win over Toyota Verblitz in February’s All Japan Championship proved that they are more than capable of upsetting the big boys.

One other side that could spring a surprise is the host. While their regular team is full of expats working in Tokyo (and with varying degrees of fitness), the YCAC undergoes a radical transformation at sevens time thanks to sponsor Air New Zealand.

“The YCAC club team has yet to win the tournament since its inception 48 years ago, but with a bit of help from our three invited players and coach, we aim to change that,” Ryan says.
“Together with Air New Zealand, we are inviting playmaker Donovan Nepia, a standoff for Hawkes Bay and New Zealand Sevens representative, who is also the grandson of legendary All Blacks fullback George Nepia. The other two players are both current New Zealand Sevens squad members: super-quick winger Charles Baxter and Auckland forward Gary Saifoloi. Gary was awarded the player of the tournament trophy at the New Zealand National Sevens held in January. We’ll also have the services of coach Barry Gallagher, a former Junior All Black.”

YCAC, April 9. See sports listings for details.

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