Japan Rugby League One plans to change the rules for player registration to give Japanese players more time on the pitch, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.
In a plan likely to stir controversy, at least eight of the 15 players per team will have to be those meeting certain conditions, such as being Japanese-born, and on the pitch at the same time during a match, starting from the 2026-27 season.
Brave Lupus Tokyo players (facing camera), led by Michael Leitch (2nd from R), celebrate their win over the Saitama Wild Knights at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on March 22, 2025. (Kyodo)
Under the current rules, there are three categories for players — A, B and C — and each side must have at least 11 Category A players who are eligible to be selected for the Japanese national team on the pitch at the same time.
Those include players from other countries.
The planned new system divides Category A players into “A1” and “A2,” according to the sources.
A1 players are from Japan. Players from other countries might be categorized as A2 even if they have played for the Brave Blossoms. Those who have played a certain number of matches for Japan will be classified as A1 by exception.
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AloJapan.com