 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (July 2016) |
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| Team information | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Samurais | |||||
| Governing body | Japanese Rugby League Association | |||||
| Region | Asia-Pacific | |||||
| Head coach | Willie Lux | |||||
| Captain | Kai Mountney | |||||
| IRL ranking | 39th | |||||
| Uniforms | ||||||
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| Team results | ||||||
| First international | ||||||
 Lebanon 52–28 Japan  (Tokyo, Japan; 1998) | ||||||
| Biggest win | ||||||
Japan 52–16 Thailand  (29 April 2015) | ||||||
| Biggest defeat | ||||||
 Malta 82–0 Japan (Coffs Harbour, Australia; 25 January 2007) | ||||||
| World Cup | ||||||
| Appearances | 0 | |||||
The Japan national rugby league team, nicknamed the Samurais, represents Japan in rugby league football. Japan have played some international competition since 1994.[1] The Japanese National Cup, the JRL domestic club competition, was founded in 1998. In 2021 the season was restarted after a break for COVID with five teams in two divisions, three clubs in East Japan, the Abiko Ducks, Mitaka Spartans and South Ikebukuro Rabbitohs; and two clubs in West Japan, the Kamisenryu Sea Turtles and The Kansai Kaminari. [2]
- ^ Freeman, Rich. "Samurais are in a league of their own". The Japan Times. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
- ^ "Kamisenryu Sea Turtles defeat Kansai Kaminari in Japan National Cup : West opener". 19 July 2021.