JRLO Replacement Battle 2023

The JRLO ‘Replacement Battle’ (promotion/relegation series) between the bottom three Division One sides against the top three from Division Two commences with the two-legged series being played across the weekends of May 5-7 and May 13-14 2023.

JRLO Replacement Battle 2023 – Division One

Six JRLO clubs will do battle over two legs for places in next year’s Division One.

Friday 5th May 2023

All times shown are Japan Time

Mie Honda Heat v NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu at Mie, 12pm (For Division One)

The action starts this weekend with Mie Honda Heat taking on NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu – a repeat of one of last year’s contests in the series.

The hosts lost just three matches this term, all to unbeaten Urayasu D-Rocks. They enter the series in a confident mood and look to avenge last year’s defeat, where the matches were split, but Green Rockets were promoted due to a 21-point win on differentials.

Honda lost its final outing in Division Two’s Finalisation series to D-Rocks, Heat but were without ex-Argentine skipper Pablo Matera, and he is back this week. The 29-year-old has been a formidable force for the Heat this season, especially in the breakdown. Matera would add another achievement to an already impressive CV if his side gain promotion to JRLO Division One.

Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks v Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex at Tokyo, 2.30pm (For Division Two)

The Blue Sharks won promotion in the battle last year, although they can expect a sterner test from Kyushu Electric
Power Kyuden Voltex – who finished fourth in the maiden edition of Japan Rugby League One, and improved to second this season.

Saturday 6th May 2023

Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi v Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars at Aichi, 2.30pm (For Division One)

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars head to Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi – and the visitors are seeking to emulate last year’s success which earned them a promotion, but they aren’t in the greatest of shape.

The side won just one of the last 12 but will still fancy their chances of taking down Division Two’s third-ranked team.

Kamaishi Seawaves v Kurita Water Gush Akishima at Iwate, 12pm (For Division Two)

The Relegation Battle between Divisions Two and Three sees Kamaishi Seawaves, host ex-Wallaby Wycliff Palu’s Kurita Water Gush Akishima at the Reconstruction Stadium in Iwate.

The Seawaves only won twice in the regular season but did win their final game so Water Gush of Division Three may have their hands full by the seaside on their trip north.

Sunday 7th May 2023

Urayasu D-Rocks v Hanazono Kintetsu Liners at Myagi, 12pm (For Division One)

Probably the highest-profile clash of the weekend D-Rocks takes on Hanazono Kintetsu Liners on Sunday,

Kintetsu finished with the wooden spoon in Division One, in which somewhat controversially, Quade Cooper started for a minute to allow him to b eeligible for the series. Having won just once this season, Kintetsu Liners face an ambitious host that cruised through Division Two unbeaten.

D-Rocks boast former Wallaby star Israel Folau – who played his first match since mid-January against Honda in the last game of the Finalisation series for the Division Two teams. He has scored 10 tries for the Shining Arcs on debut, and five from three outings for D-Rocks at the start of the league’s second edition.

Scottish halfback Greig Laidlaw will also be hanging up the playing boots after this season for the D-Rocks.

The return legs of the Replacement Battle will be held on May 13-14. For brief highlights from all matches, see the JRLO highlights here.

Japanese Rugby News 2022-2023

• JRLO –  Round 16 Preview.
• Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights – How JLRO Is Impacting Japanese Rugby
• Nathan Hughes & Jake Ball Reflect on the JRLO.
• European Rugby Stars Playing in The Japan Rugby League One.