Fixtures
| Japan Rugby League One | 04/27 05:30 | 15 |
Kubota Spears
vs
Honda Heat
|
- | View | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 05/04 03:10 | 16 |
Honda Heat
vs
Kobelco Steelers
|
- | View |
Results
| Japan Rugby League One | 04/21 03:10 | 14 |
Honda Heat
v
Toshiba Brave Lupus
|
L | 7-8 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 04/13 05:30 | 13 |
Suntory Sungoliath
v
Honda Heat
|
L | 60-10 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 04/06 05:00 | 12 |
Shizuoka Blue Revs
v
Honda Heat
|
L | 43-14 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 03/24 05:30 | 11 |
Honda Heat
v
Mitsubishi Dynaboars
|
L | 26-31 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 03/17 03:00 | 10 |
Kintetsu Liners
v
Honda Heat
|
W | 19-20 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 03/10 03:00 | 9 |
Honda Heat
v
Black Rams
|
L | 14-24 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 03/01 10:00 | 8 |
Honda Heat
v
Canon Eagles
|
L | 21-50 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 02/17 05:00 | 7 |
Toyota Verblitz
v
Honda Heat
|
L | 54-7 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 01/20 05:30 | 6 |
Wild Knights
v
Honda Heat
|
L | 70-12 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 01/14 05:35 | 5 |
Toshiba Brave Lupus
v
Honda Heat
|
L | 40-12 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 01/07 03:00 | 4 |
Honda Heat
v
Shizuoka Blue Revs
|
L | 13-62 | |
| Japan Rugby League One | 12/24 03:10 | 3 |
Honda Heat
v
Suntory Sungoliath
|
L | 16-34 |
Wikipedia - Mie Honda Heat
Mie Honda Heat is a Japanese rugby union team based in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The owner of the club is Honda Motor. (Suzuka is known for the Suzuka Circuit and the presence of car companies. Conveniently, the team uses Suzuka to jog on as part of their training programme.)
They play in the Japan Rugby League One, the top tier of Japan's rugby union hierarchy.
In 2011–12, Honda Heat were relegated to regional events for 2012–13. Winning 2 and drawing 1 of their 13 games in the regular season.
The team rebranded as Mie Honda Heat ahead of the rebranding of the Top League as the Japan Rugby League One in 2022.
History
Honda Motor Co. established its rugby club in 1960 at the Suzuka Factory. The team gained promotion to the Kansai A-League for the 1978 season, and then finished sixth in the seven-team competition for that year. Honda remained a fixture in the Kansai A-League, being demoted only once (for the 1985 season) before it was renamed the Top West A-League in 2003-04 with the introduction of Japan's Top League.[]
Honda did not qualify for inclusion in the Top League for inaugural season—that had to wait for another six years—but the team continued to play in the Top West A-League. After winning the league in 2008-09 under New Zealander John Sherratt, Honda Heat was promoted. The team played one Top League season in 2009–10 before being demoted and another in 2011–12 before being demoted again to Top West A, where they remained for three seasons.[]
Honda won the Top West A-League in 2014–15, and was promoted once again for the 2015–16 season of Top League, finishing at 11th place. So the team stayed for another term, this time ending the tournament at place 16th of 16 and being relegated to the newly introduced second-tier Top Challenge League.
The season 2017–18 was played as a round-robin tournament, the Heats managing to win and become promoted automatically for the 2018–19 Top League season, back to first tier status.
The team's home ground is the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, which has a capacity of 24,000 spectators. The team's colors are red and black, which are the colors of Honda's logo.
Honda Heat has a strong reputation in the Top League, having won the championship twice in 2003 and 2011. The team has also produced several notable players, including Japanese internationals Keisuke Sawaki and Ryu Koliniasi Holani.
The team's playing style is characterized by a strong emphasis on physicality and speed. The forwards are known for their powerful scrummaging and lineout play, while the backs are skilled at running and passing the ball.
Off the field, Honda Heat is known for its commitment to community service and environmental sustainability. The team has participated in various charity events and initiatives, and has implemented eco-friendly practices in its operations.
Overall, Honda Heat is a respected and successful rugby union team in Japan, known for its strong performance on the field and its positive impact off the field.