Shizuoka Blue Revs

Shizuoka Blue Revs (formerly the Yamaha Júbilo) are a rugby union team based in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan. The team came second behind Toshiba Brave Lupus in the second season of Japanese rugby's Top League (2004–05). They were coached by former All Black Grant Batty and Fijian player-coach Tabai Matson. Founded in 1984, its name was "Yamaha Motors Rugby Football Club". The team rebranded as the Shizuoka Blue Revs ahead of the rebranding of the Top League to the Japan Rugby League One in 2022.^[1]

The team name Júbilo means 'joy' in Portuguese, which has had a notable influence on the Japanese language. The name was also shared with the also Yamaha-owned Júbilo Iwata from J2 League.^[2]

Current squad

The Shizuoka Blue Revs squad for the 2023-24 season is:^[3]

* denotes players qualified to play for the Japan on dual nationality or residency grounds.

Notable former players

Wataru Murata (2001-08, 68 games) Scrum-half, Japanese International (2001-08, 41 caps)
Leon MacDonald (2004–05, 12 games) Fly-half, Allblack (2000–08, 56 caps)
Ryō Yamamura (2004-21, 211 games) Prop, Japanese international (2002-07, 39 caps)
Brendan Laney (2005-07, 23 games) Utility back, Scottish international (2001-04, 20 caps)
Ayumu Goromaru (2008-16, 2017-21, 150 games) Fullback, Japanese international (2005-15, 57 caps)
Male Sa'u (2008-18, 118 games) Centre, Japanese international (2013-16, 27 caps)
Mose Tuiali'i (2009-19, 125 games) Loose forward, Allblack (2004-06, 9 caps)
Jerry Collins (2011–13, 13 games) Loose forward, Allblack (2001–07, 48 caps)
Siale Piutau (2012-17, 45 games) Centre, Tongan international (2011–19, 43 caps)
Koki Yamamoto (2013-21, 105 games) Prop, Japanese international (2016-, 7 caps)

Coaches

Kevin Schuler - Director of Rugby
Tabai Matson - Player and Head Coach
Takanobu Horikawa - coach
Waisake Sotutu - backs coach, player
Simon Kerr - forwards coach

References

^ "La nouvelle ligue japonaise s'appelle la Japan Rugby League One". Asie Rugby (in French). 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
^ Nomikos Vaporis, Constantine (Jan 6, 2012). Voices of Early Modern Japan: Contemporary Accounts of Daily Life during the Age of the Shoguns. ABC-CLIO. p. 99. ISBN 978-0313392016. Retrieved June 12, 2015. The Portuguese and their culture had some influence on Japanese clothing, accessories, food and language.
^ "Players Staff". Shizuoka Blue Revs (in Japanese). Retrieved 11 October 2021.

External links

Toshiba, Yamaha set to do battle in Microsoft Cup final - Japan Times, January 31, 2005
Yamaha rugby home page (in Japanese)