View source for Saitama Wild Knights

{{Short description|Japanese rugby union club, based in Kumagaya}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Wild Knights|Wild Nights!|Wild Night}}
{{Infobox rugby team
| teamname    = Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights<BR>埼玉パナソニックワイルドナイツ
| image       = Panasonic Wild Knights logo.gif
| image_size  = 280px
| fullname    = Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights
| nickname    = Wild Knights
| founded     = {{start date and age|1960}}
| union       = [[Japan Rugby Football Union]]
| ground      = [[Kumagaya Rugby Ground]]<br>
| capacity    = 25,600
| location    = [[Kumagaya, Saitama|Kumagaya]], [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]]
| rugby director = [[Robbie Deans]]
| coach       = [[Kanazawa Atsushi]]
| chairman    =
| league      = [[Japan Rugby League One#Japan Rugby League One structure|Japan Rugby League One]]{{efn|The Japan Rugby League One is the name given to the three divisions of [[Rugby union in Japan|Japanese]] domestic rugby union. The Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights competed in Division 1 since its inception in [[2022 Japan Rugby League One – Division 1|2022]].}}
| season      = [[2024–25 Japan Rugby League One – Division 1|2024–25]]
| position    = 2nd of 12, [[2024–25 Japan Rugby League One – Division 1#Semi-finals|Semi-finals]]

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| leftarm1    = 0066cc
| body1       = 0066cc
| rightarm1   = 0066cc
| shorts1     = 000000
| socks1      = 0058A6

| pattern_b2  = _Panasonickitb
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| url            = https://panasonic.co.jp/sports/wildknights/
}}
The '''Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights'''{{efn|Formerly known as the '''[[Sanyo]] Wild Knights''' and the '''[[Panasonic]] Wild Knights''' between 2012 and 2021.}} is a professional Japanese [[rugby union]] team located in [[Kumagaya, Saitama|Kumagaya]], [[Saitama prefecture]]. The team was created in 1960 by students and [[Sanyo]] workers. The team compete annually in the [[Japan Rugby League One#Japan Rugby League One structure|top-flight]] (Division 1) [[Japan Rugby League One]]. Originally located in [[Ōta, Gunma|Ōta]], [[Gunma Prefecture]], the team was relocated 13 kilometres south to [[Kumagaya, Saitama|Kumagaya]], [[Saitama Prefecture]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.asierugby.com/post/la-nouvelle-ligue-japonaise-s-appelle-la-japan-rugby-league-one |title=La nouvelle ligue japonaise s'appelle la Japan Rugby League One |trans-title=The new Japanese league is called Japan Rugby League One |work=Asie Rugby |date=16 July 2021 |access-date=16 July 2021 |language=French }}</ref>

The Wild Knights, in the [[2007–08 Top League|fifth season]] (2007–08) of the top-flight Japanese rugby union, was the first team to go unbeaten throughout a Top League season. They won their first Japanese title, the [[Japan Rugby League One|Top League]], in [[2010–11 Top League|2011]]. They became the first team from [[Gunma Prefecture]] to win a Top League title, and in [[2022 Japan Rugby League One – Division 1|2022]], the first team from [[Saitama prefecture]] to win a [[Japan Rugby League One]] title.

==History==
===Early years (1960–1975)===
The Wild Knights were founded in 1960 by alumni of the Kumagai Industrial School and workers of the Tokyo Sanyo corporation. Initially an amateur company team, they competed in the [[Kantō]] Leagues during the 1960s, rising gradually through the ranks of the prefecture's rugby pyramid.

In 1968 they undertook the first tour in their history when they travelled to [[South Korea]] to face a number of university and company teams there. In 1971 they won their first ever [[Kantō Rugby Championship]], after arising from the fourth division only nine years earlier. This success was followed the next season with a successive championship title, a testament to the increasing fortunes of the [[Gunma]] club.

===Growth and success (1975–2002)===
After a few runners-up places, the club won seven back-to-back titles between 1976 and 1982, becoming the dominant rugby force in Kantō-chihō. Further titles were added in 1986 and 1987, before the Wild Knights were entered into the new [[East Japan Rugby Championship]] against other top clubs from Kantō and Tōhoku. Rugby in Japan was a growing sport, gradually gaining popularity and competitiveness outside of its normal strongholds in company break-rooms and college campuses. Although still nominally amateur, the Wild Knights nonetheless used their position in the Tokyo Sanyo corporation to hire talented foreigners to 'work' for the company with the real intention of playing for the rugby team. Known as "[[shamateurism]]", it became rampant in rugby union, as well as football and baseball.

Due to the merger of Tokyo Sanyo Electric with Sanyo Electric in 1986, the team name was changed to Sanyo Electric Rugby Team. The maiden season of the new East Japan league was captured in 1988, with further crowns captured in 1990 and 1991. Further titles were nabbed during the 1990s and in May 1997 the club's new ground at Ryumai-cho was officially unveiled.

===Early Top League Era (2003–2012)===
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In 2003 the [[Japan Rugby Football Union]] (JRFU) launched the [[Top League]], Japan's first nationwide domestic rugby competition. Held annually between September and February, the Top League would mark a new future for the sport in Japan and a fully professional structure would help clubs like the Wild Knights to attract better players.

Immediately prior to the launch of the Top League in 2003, the club renamed the name to "Sanyo Wild Knights". In the maiden season of the Top League, the club finished in 7th but did manage to win the Fair Play Award for 2003–04. The league that year was won by the [[Kobe Kobelco Steelers]]. The Wild Knights fans were also awarded the Japan Special Award for their support and atmosphere. The club's starting scrum-half [[Wataru Ikeda]] was also chosen for the league Best XV that year.

The following season seemed to mirror the first, as the Wild Knights fans were again awarded the Special Award and the club finished in 7th. They exited the [[Microsoft Cup]] in the first round. 2006 saw them finish runners-up in the league and see team-members [[Tony Brown (rugby union)|Tony Brown]] and [[Yamauchi Tomokazu]] selected for the league's Best XV.

In 2008, the club was crowned Top League champions, managing to go on a 13-game unbeaten record on their way to the title. The club won their second Top League crown in 2010 only to lose out in the playoffs. However, the club's success was mirrored in the fact that [[Naoki Kawamata]], [[Shota Horie]], [[Seiichi Shimomura]], [[Tomoki Kitagawa]] and [[Atsushi Tatanabe]] selected in the league's Best XV. Fullback [[Atsushi Tatanabe]] was also crowned the league's top scorer and best kicker for 2009.

In 2011, despite finishing in 3rd during the regular league season, the club won the Championship play-offs by beating [[Suntory Sungoliath]] 28–23 in the final. [[Akihito Yamada]] was named MVP for the entire season. The club were runners-up in the play-offs in 2012.

===Panasonic Wild Knights (2012–2021)===
Prior to the start of the 2012–13 season, the club was sold to [[Panasonic]] corporation and renamed the Panasonic Wild Knights, the name they currently bear. The team colours were switched from red and black to predominantly blue and black.

In 2014, Head Coach [[Norifumi Nakajima]] left the club on the back of a historic double championship [[Top League]] and [[All-Japan Rugby Football Championship]] during the 2013–14 season. On 21 April 2014, it was confirmed that former [[Australia national rugby union team|Wallabies]] and [[Crusaders (rugby union)|Crusaders]] Head Coach [[Robbie Deans]] would become the new coach of Panasonic Wild Knights.<ref>[http://www.japonrugby.net/robie-deans-nouveau-manager-de-panasonic-wild-knights-.php Robbie Deans nouveau manager de Panasonic Wild Knights!]</ref>

In August 2021, it relocated from the [[Ōta No. 2 Soccer-Rugby Ground]] (太田市第2サッカー・ラグビー場) in [[Ōta, Gunma|Ōta city]], [[Gunma prefecture]] to [[Kumagaya Rugby Ground]], [[Kumagaya, Saitama|Kumagaya]], [[Saitama prefecture]], 13 kilometers south of the original site.

==Personnel==
===Coaching staff===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position
! Name
! Nationality
|-
| Head Coach
| [[Robbie Deans]]
| {{flag|New Zealand}}
|-
| Backs Coach
| [[Kanazawa Atsushi]]
| {{flag|Japan}}
|-
| Forwards & Defence Coach
| [[Koliniasi Holani]]
| {{flag|Japan}}
|- 
| Scrum Coach
| [[Kikawa Jungo]]
| {{flag|Tonga}}
|- 
| Strength & Conditioning Coach
| [[Cain Yoshiura]]
| {{flag|Australia}}
|-
| Contact Coach
| [[Aoyagi Katsuhiko]]
| {{flag|Japan}}
|-
| General Manager
| [[Hitoshi Iijima]]
|{{flag|Japan}}
|}

===Current squad===
The Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights squad for the 2025-26 season is:<ref name="Panasonic Wild Knights: The Team">{{cite web | url=http://panasonic.co.jp/sports/rugby/member/ | title=Panasonic Wild Knights: The Team | publisher=Panasonic Rugby | language= ja | access-date=29 November 2018}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; font-size:90%; width:70%"
|-
! colspan="100%" | Saitama Wild Knights squad
|- valign="top"
|
'''Props'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Keita Inagaki]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Craig Millar (rugby union)|Craig Millar]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Tonga}} [[Daniel Perez (rugby union)|Daniel Perez]]*
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Yusaku Kihara]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Sho Furuhata]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Taiki Fujii]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Makito Ishikawa]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Asaeli Ai Valu]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Tonga}} [[Lisala Finau]]*
* {{Flagicon|Tonga}} [[Taniela Vea]]*

'''Hookers'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Kazuma Shimane]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Yuji Shimogama]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Atsushi Sakate]]''' ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Kenji Sato (rugby union)|Kenji Sato]]'''

'''Locks'''
* {{Flagicon|South Africa}} '''[[Lood de Jager]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Kantaro Tajima]]
* {{Flagicon|South Africa}} [[Ockie Barnard]]
* {{Flagicon|South Africa}} [[Jayden Joubert]]
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Esei Ha'angana]]*
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Liam Mitchell (rugby union)|Liam Mitchell]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Tomohito Miyakawa]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Goro Hashimoto]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Jack Cornelsen]]'''

||

'''Flankers'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Orion Schmok]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Ryota Hasegawa]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Ben Gunter]]'''
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Lachlan Boshier]]*
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Shota Fukui]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Itsuki Onishi]]
* {{Flagicon|South Africa}} [[Juan Wilson]]*
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} [[Xavier Stowers]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Shunsuke Nunomaki]]'''

'''No8s'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Shuto Nobuhara]]
* {{Flagicon|Tonga}} [[Viliami Kaipouli|Viliami Afu Kaipouli]]*
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Hayata Taniyama]]

'''Scrum-halves'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Taiki Koyama]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Atora Hondo]]
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Shu Hagihara]]
* {{Flagicon|South Korea}} [[Lee Kum-su]]*

'''Fly-halves'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Takuya Yamasawa]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Kyohei Yamasawa]]

||

'''Centres'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Takaya Saito]]
* {{Flagicon|South Africa}} [[Tristan Joubert]]
* {{Flagicon|South Africa}} '''[[Damian de Allende]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Dylan Riley (rugby union)|Dylan Riley]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Tomoki Osada]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Tsubasa Arai]]
* {{Flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Vince Aso]]*

'''Wingers'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Koki Takeyama]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Australia}} '''[[Marika Koroibete]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Seijun Kawasaki]]
* {{Flagicon|South Africa}} [[Maurice Marks]]
* {{Flagicon|Lebanon}} '''[[Joshua Nohra]]'''*
* {{Flagicon|England}} [[Tom Parton]]

'''Fullbacks'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} '''[[Ryuji Noguchi]]'''
* {{Flagicon|Japan}} [[Yoshiaki Taniguchi]]

'''Utility Backs'''

|-
| colspan="100%" style="height: 10px;" | 
|-
| colspan="100%" style="text-align:center;" | <small> ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) Denotes team captain, '''Bold''' denotes player is internationally capped</small>
|}

* * denotes players qualified to play for [[Japan national rugby union team|Japan]] on dual nationality or residency grounds.

===Former players===
*[[Epi Taione]] - Tongan Centre/wing/Flanker who has played for [[Newcastle Falcons|Newcastle]], [[Sale Sharks|Sale]] and more recently [[Super Rugby]] side {{Rut|Sharks}}
*[[Semi Taupeaafe]] - former Wallabies sevens, [[New South Wales Waratahs]] and [[Tonga national rugby union team|Tongan]] international
*[[Sinali Latu]] - now coach of [[Daito Bunka University R.F.C.]]
*[[Murray Henderson (Rugby Coach)|Murray Henderson]] - former Sanyo Wild Knights coach, Portugal National team forwards coach, current Oxford Uni OURFC Head Coach
*[[Jaque Fourie]] - South African international centre
*[[Sonny Bill Williams]] - former utility New Zealand international.
*[[Tony Brown (rugby union)|Tony Brown]] - Fly-half, New Zealand international
*[[Daniel Heenan]] - Lock, Australian international
*[[Mitsugu Yamamoto]] (2004-11, 102 games) Hooker, Japanese international (2004-07, 10 caps)
*[[Koliniasi Holani]] (2006-19, 148 games) Loose forward, Japanese international (2008-16, 45 caps)
*[[Fumiaki Tanaka]] (2007-19, 157 games) Scrum-half, Japanese international (2008-, 75 caps)
*[[Naoki Kawamata]] (2008-17, 133 games) Prop, Japanese international (2008-11, 18 caps)
*[[Akihito Yamada]] (2010-19, 115 games) Winger, Japanese international (2013-18, 25 caps)

==Honours==
*[[Japan Rugby League One|Japanese Rugby Championship]] winners: 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022
*[[All-Japan Rugby Football Championship#45th All-Japan Championship|All-Japan Champions]]: 2008, 2011

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{official website}} (Japanese)
* [http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=326&Itemid=2 Sanyo Wild Knights win 45th All-Japan Championship] - JRFU English website

{{Saitama Wild Knights squad}}
{{Japan Rugby League One}}
{{Rugby union in Japan}}
{{Panasonic}}

[[Category:Japan Rugby League One teams]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1960]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Gunma Prefecture]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Saitama Prefecture]]
[[Category:Panasonic]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Japan]]