League One
Japan Rugby League One is the premier Rugby competition in Japan featuring 26 teams across 3 divisions. The Toshiba Brave Lupus won the 2025 season for the 2nd consecutive year. Toyota Shokki Shuttles won Division 2 while Mazda Skyactivs won Division 3.
Radradra joins Blue Revs
The Japanese League One has added another superstar of the game to their competition in Flying Fijians Centre and Olympic Gold Medallist Semi Radradra.
Its been known for the past few months he would be leaving Lyon for Japan and it was finally revealed today that he would be joining the Shizuoka Blue Revs.
Already on the Blue-Revs roster is Radradra's former Bristol teammate Charles Piutau and fellow Fijian Vueti Tupou.
Three Fijians in Japan XV forward pack
Japan XV have named their lineup to take on the Maori All-Blacks this Saturday. The lineup includes 3 Fijians in Dynaboars Lock Epeneri Uluiviti alongside Waisake Raratubua of the Steelers in his first representative match and at Flanker breakout player Vueti Tupou from the Blue Revs. It is also his first rep jersey at senior level.
It is just reward particularly for Raratubua and Tupou who both were exceptional this season. Both players only in their 2nd seasons have gone from strength to strength.
They both played 19 matches this season and coincidentally both scored 8 tries as well.
Player Updates
Ikanivere Captained the Flying Fijians in their first test match of the season against the Wallabies. Had issues with his throwing accuracy again, costing the side crucial field position. Played the first 50 minutes, making 3 metres from 5 carries.
He was replaced by veteran Sam Matavesi who shored up the lineout issues.
Aseri Masivou will return to the top division next season after he was revealed as one of the MI Honda Heat’s new signings for the 2025-2026 season.
“Looking forward to the new chapter and also excited to meet the Honda HEAT fans.
I will do my best to make team better.”
“I am very honored to have the opportunity to play for the Mie Honda Heat. I am looking forward to my new environment and meeting the fans. I promise to do my best and contribute to the team.”
Levi Aumua has signed with the Yokohama Canon Eagles, leaving the Crusaders after 2 years.
“Very excited to be joining Yokohama Canon Eagles. Heard great things about this club and also to be coached by Leon again. Looking forward to playing with some of the best players in the world at Eagles. I’ll be doing my best to prepare myself, so I play my best for the team. As of the moment, I will be playing for the Tasman Mako for the Tasman Mako of the year and then be remainder joining the Eagles shortly after.”
Shizuoka Blue Revs today announced their latest signing – former Lyon Centre Semi Radradra. Its been known for a while now he would be leaving France for Japan but his new club has been kept under wraps. He joins former Bristol teammate Charles Piutau at the club.
“It’s an honour to be joining the BLUEREVS next season. Playing in the Japan League One has been a goal of mine and I’m excited that I get to join a top club like BLUEREVS. I’m extremely motivated and will give my all to add to the team next season. I’m very much looking forward to my arrival in Japan and meeting my new teammates and coaches and getting stuck into pre-season training. See you all soon!”
“I am incredibly honoured to be joining the Shizuoka Blue Revs next season. Playing in Japan Rugby League One has always been my goal so I am delighted to be joining a top club like the Blue Revs. I am extremely motivated and will do my best to contribute to the team next season. I can’t wait to arrive in Japan, meet my new teammates and coaching staff and get started on pre-season training. See you all soon!”
