Countries Japan Runners-up Kobelco Steelers | Champions Suntory Sungoliath | |
The 2013 The All-Japan Rugby Football Championship (日本ラグビーフットボール選手権大会 Nihon Ragubi-Futtobo-ru Senshuken Taikai) took place from Feb 2nd up to the final on Feb 24th.
Contents
Top League
The top four teams (Suntory Sungoliath, Toshiba Brave Lupus, Panasonic Wild Knights, Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers) in the 2012–13 Top League automatically qualified for the competition, and competed in a playoff competition.
Toshiba Brave Lupus and Suntory Sungoliath eventually played in the Final, with Suntory Sungoliath winning 19–3. As Top League finalists they gained automatic entry to the Championship Semi-finals.
The Top League Wildcard Tournament was contested by the fifth to tenth teams in the final table for the last two places for this league in the Championship. This was competed by Toyota Verblitz, Yamaha Júbilo, Kintetsu Liners, NEC Green Rockets, NTT Shining Arcs and Ricoh Black Rams and eventually taken by Toyota Verblitz and Yamaha Júbilo.
Top Challenge One
In the 2012–13 Challenge series, the teams from Top Challenge One (Kubota Spears, Toyota Industries Shuttles, Coca-Cola West Red Sparks) and Mitsubishi Dynaboars (Top Challenge Two Winner) competed over 3 rounds to gain the first place (as Top Challenger One) for qualification to the Championship. This was eventually won by the Coca-Cola West Red Sparks.
University
In the 49th Japan National University Rugby Championship final Teikyo University defeated Tsukuba University 39-22. Both teams gained entry to the Championship as finalists.
Club
In the 20th All Japan Rugby Club Championship, Rokko Fighting Bull gained the Top Club side entry to the Championship.
Qualifying Teams
Semi Final
Suntory Sungoliath and Toshiba Brave Lupus bypassed the first two rounds into the semi-finals by reaching the final of the Top League playoffs in 2013.