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Japanese rugby's bizarre take on trophies

Michael Hooper lifts the spoils

Japan has always done things a little differently, and it is no different when it comes to handing out the winners’ hardware in rugby.

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Australian captain Michael Hooper was presented with a large energy drink bottle following his side’s 63-30 victory over Japan in Yokohama on Saturday. The bottle was provided by sponsor Taisho Pharmaceutical, an official sponsor of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

We are not sure if the bottle was full of energy drink but Hooper will probably need to purchase excess luggage to haul it home. The good news is it is large enough to fill the Australian trophy cabinet.

This is a continuing trend in Japanese Rugby as last season the Top League’s best performances were rewarded with a Godzilla toy as a man of the match award, complete with an accompanying medallion.

The man of the match award for the Japan Top League

It will be interesting to see what Japan has in mind when it comes to the Rugby World Cup, although they probably won’t be able to replace the William Webb Ellis trophy.

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Another 8 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

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