Black Rams Tokyo is a Japanese rugby union team in the Japan Rugby League One. Being ranked tenth meant that, in order to continue in the league, it had to defeat one of the top regional clubs in a play-off, which it achieved.
Stephen Larkham is a retired Australian rugby union professional player, currently in the role of head coach for Brumbies. He spent his career with the Brumbies in Super Rugby, for whom he played from the inception of the professional Super 12 in 1996 through 2007. He is best known for his long tenure with the Wallabies at international level, for whom he played 102 times. After initial selection at fullback from 1996 to 1997, Larkham was the first-choice Australian fly-half from 1997 to 2007, playing in the 1999, 2003, and 2007 Rugby World Cups.
Jerry Collins was a professional rugby union player. Although he was born in Apia, Samoa, he grew up in New Zealand and played for the New Zealand national team, earning 48 caps. At club level, he played for the Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise in New Zealand, Toulon and Narbonne in the Rugby Pro D2, Ospreys in Wales, and Yamaha Júbilo in Japan. He played as a flanker and number eight, and was considered to be one of the hardest tacklers in the sport.
Rugby union has been played in New Zealand since 1870 and is the most popular sport in the country as well as being its national sport. In a 2023 survey, 75% of respondents said they followed the sport.
Tamati Edward Ellison is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.
Hosea Emiliano Gear is a former New Zealand rugby union player who played as a wing. He has also played 14 international matches for New Zealand.
Tevita Hale Nai Tu'uhoko, often known simply as Hale T-Pole or Hale T Pole, is a Tongan rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker or number eight for the Ricoh Black Rams in the Top League in Japan. He has also played internationally for Tonga and the Pacific Islanders.
Adam Thomson is a New Zealand rugby union player. He represented the New Zealand All Blacks between 2008 and 2012, playing a total of 29 tests including two during the victorious 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign. He played for the Melbourne Rebels in 2016, having also played Super Rugby with the Queensland Reds (2015) and Highlanders (2006-2012). He has also represented the Canon Eagles in Japan's Top League and New Zealand province Otago.
Kieran James Crowley is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player, who is the former head coach of Italy. He has also coached the New Zealand Under-19s in the 2007 World Championships as well as coaching provincial side Taranaki. He previously served as head coach of Canada. He also spent five seasons coaching Benetton Rugby.
Campion College, Gisborne is a Catholic, State-integrated, co-educational college located in Gisborne, New Zealand, including students from Year 7 to Year 13. The college received its name from its patron saint, St Edmund Campion whose feast day is 1 December. Religious Education is provided for all classes.
Samuel Lawrence Whitelock is a former New Zealand rugby union player.
James Broadhurst is a former New Zealand rugby union lock who played provincial rugby for Taranaki, Super Rugby for the Hurricanes, and for the All Blacks. He was also a national representative at the under-19 and under-21 levels.
Benjamin Camden John Funnell is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a hooker for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and the Western Force in Super Rugby. He previously played for the Crusaders.
Charlie James Ngatai is a New Zealand professional rugby union player who plays as a centre, although he can also cover other backline positions. Ngatai last played for Leinster Rugby in Ireland, having previously been Captain of the Chiefs, Taranaki Rugby Football Union and of the Māori All Blacks internationally.
Franco John Mostert is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for Honda Heat and the South Africa national team. His usual position is lock. He was one of the members of the winning Springboks in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan as well as the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
Jamison Ratu Gibson-Park is a professional rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Leinster. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds. Gibson-Park received Irish citizenship in December 2023.
Peni Ravai Kovekalou is a Fijian rugby union player, who currently plays at hooker and prop for the Flying Fijians and the Reds in Super Rugby. He previously played for Southland in the Mitre 10 Cup in New Zealand, Aurillac in the Pro D2, and Bordeaux Bègles and Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14. He has also played at centre and on the wings.
Samuel Puni Kaleta, known as Sam Kaleta is a former New-Zealand born Samoan rugby union player who played also for Japan. He played as a flanker.
Isaia Walker-Leawere is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a lock for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.
Hiroyuki Tanuma is a former Japanese rugby union player. He played as lock.
