The 2024 All-Japan University Rugby Championship has reached its thrilling quarterfinal stage, with heavily favored teams asserting their dominance on December 21 at the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium. Two of Japan's top universities — Teikyo University and Waseda University — showcased stellar performances, securing comfortable victories to push on to the semifinals.
Facing off against Keio University, Teikyo emerged victorious with an impressive score of 73-24. This match marked Teikyo’s fourth consecutive victory toward their goal of claiming the championship title once more. The former champions proved their mettle by scoring 11 tries against Keio, demonstrating depth and agility throughout the game.
Teikyo’s coach, Tomokazu Soma, expressed satisfaction with the team's execution. He mentioned, "Today’s match was about showing the evolution of our game and the hard work we've put in during the last few weeks. We kept our focus throughout the match, and it showed on the scoreboard."
Meanwhile, Waseda University, aiming for their first championship since 2020, faced off against Kindai University, dominating the match with a score of 53-10. With the win, Waseda secured their place among the top four teams, showcasing their relentless attack and cohesive defense.
Waseda's head coach, Ryuhiko Ota, praised the team's determination, stating, "Our boys understood the importance of executing our strategies today. Even though we faced strong resistance, we managed to play our game and focus on what we set out to achieve this season. This is just the beginning as we look forward to the semifinals."
The matches were characterized by fierce competition, where the athletes showcased not only their technical skills but also their sportsmanship. Both teams recognized the significance of their performance going forward as they achieved their immediate objectives but also set their eyes on upcoming challenges.
Keio's captain, Taiki Nakayama, reflected on the match, saying, "Despite the loss, we maintained our identity and spirit. We’ll take this experience to grow as we prepare for next year. Losing against such strong opponents teaches us what we need to improve on."
The defensive setups of each team were put to the test, especially against Waseda's attack. Waseda captain, Kenji Sato, highlighted the team's intent: "We came out strong from the start, maintaining our defensive structure, and attacking at the right moments. Moving forward, we need to build on this performance as we chase the championship."
The atmosphere at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium was electric, with fans cheering passionately for their respective teams. Both matches allowed the players to showcase their skills, with Waseda standout Ryota Hattori successfully converting multiple kicks, boosting his team’s scoreline significantly.
Looking to the future, the semifinals are set for January 2, 2025. Teikyo and Waseda will continue their quest for supremacy against their upcoming opponents determined by the results of the remaining quarterfinal matches. The anticipation is high among rugby enthusiasts as each of these top universities aims for glory.
With the stakes at an all-time high, players and coaches alike are gearing up for the intense preparation required as they prepare for the next round of this prestigious tournament. This season’s championship embodies the spirit of college rugby — resilience, teamwork, and the will to win.
This year's All-Japan University Rugby Championship promises to deliver even more excitement as it nears its conclusion. How will the top teams fare as they vie for the coveted championship title with only two matches standing between them and victory?
