Beginning February 14, the top four company and college rugby teams will fight it out for the All-Japan Rugby Championship, culminating with the final on February 28. The Kobe Steel fifteen, known as the Steelers, are raring to recover the championship title they last won in 1995. Here, we share their views on the games that lead up to becoming Japan's Number One. First, let us look back on the Steelers' performances in the company cham- pionship games.
Rules call for games ending in a draw to be decided by the number of tries scored.
As the Steelers had fewer, Suntory was awarded the match and progressed to the final. The anguish of not losing, but not being able to play in the final lingered into the following week. In one week's time, the All-Japan Championship matches begin. The Steelers have regained their composure, and are filled with the conviction that this time around they will definitely win. Hanazono Ground Looking at the scores over the past several years, the common view is that there will be a big gap between the company and college teams.