2012–13 Top League

{{Short description|Japanese rugby union season}}

{{Infobox rugby union season

| image = Shinya Makabe 2013.jpg

| imagesize = 180px

| caption = Captain Shinya Makabe of Suntory, winner
of the Top League and All Japan double.

| countries = {{flagicon|Japan}} Japan

| date = {{nowrap|31 August 2012 – 27 January 2013}}

| champions = Suntory Sungoliath (3rd title)

| runnersup = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| relegated =

| matches =

| attendance =

| top point scorer = {{flagicon|JPN}} Ayumu Goromaru (149 pts)
{{pad|2.5em}}Yamaha Júbilo

| top try scorer = {{flagicon|JPN}} Akihito Yamada (18 tries)
{{pad|2.5em}}Panasonic Wild Knights

| prevseason = 2011–12

| nextseason = 2013–14

}}

The 2012–13 Top League was the tenth season of Japan's domestic rugby union competition, the Top League. It kicked off on 31 August 2012. The final was held on 27 January 2013 and won by Suntory Sungoliath to claim their third Top League title.

{{TOC limit|3}}

Teams

class = "wikitable"
Team

!Region

!Coach

!Captain

Canon Eagles

|Machida, Tokyo, Kantō

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yoji Nagatomo

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Taku Wada

Fukuoka Sanix Blues

|Munakata, Fukuoka, Kyūshū

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuichiro Fujii

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yasutake Nagashita

Kintetsu Liners

|Higashiosaka, Osaka, Kansai

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ryusuke Maeda

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Tadanobu Ko

Kobelco Steelers

|Kobe, Kansai

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Seiji Hirao

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Daiki Hashimoto

Kyuden Voltex

|Fukuoka, Kyūshū

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji Hirata

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Makoto Matsumoto

NEC Green Rockets

|Abiko, Chiba, Kantō

|{{flagicon|NZL}} Greg Cooper

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ryota Asano

NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

|Osaka, Kansai

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kazunari Takano

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Takeshi Hirase

NTT Com Shining Arcs

|Chiba, Chiba, Kantō

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Masato Hayashi

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiraku Tomoigawa

Panasonic Wild Knights

|Ota, Gunma, Kantō

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Norifumi Nakajima

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Seiichi Shimomura

Ricoh Black Rams

|Tokyo, Kantō

|{{flagicon|NZL}} Leon Holden

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Daisuke Komatsu

Suntory Sungoliath

|Fuchū, Tokyo, Kantō

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Naoya Okubo

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinya Makabe

Toshiba Brave Lupus

|Fuchū, Tokyo, Kantō

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Kenichi Wada

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Masato Toyoda

Toyota Verblitz

|Toyota, Aichi, Tokai

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Keiji Hirose

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Ryuta Ueno

Yamaha Júbilo

|Iwata, Shizuoka, Tokai

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Katsuyuki Kiyomiya

|{{flagicon|JPN}} Yuta Kasahara

Regular season

The 14 teams played a round-robin tournament for the 2012–13 Top League regular season.

The top 4 qualified for the title play-offs to fight for the Microsoft Cup and the Top League title. The top 4 also qualified directly into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

Teams ranked 5th to 10th went through to the wildcard play-offs for qualification into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship. Teams ranked 13th and 14th went to the promotion and relegation play-offs against regional challengers to fight to remain in the Top League.

=Table=

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
colspan="15" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"|Top League Table
bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="195"|Club

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Played

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Won

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Drawn

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Lost

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points For

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points Against

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points Difference

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Try Bonus

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Losing Bonus

!bgcolor="#efefef" width="20"|Points

bgcolor=#d8ffeb align=center

| 1

align=left| Suntory Sungoliath131300481258+22311063
bgcolor=#d8ffeb align=center

| 2

align=left| Toshiba Brave Lupus131003478266+2128250
bgcolor=#d8ffeb align=center

| 3

align=left| Panasonic Wild Knights131003509275+2348149
bgcolor=#d8ffeb align=center

| 4

align=left| Kobelco Steelers13913468255+2139249
bgcolor=#ccccff align=center

| 5

align=left| Toyota Verblitz13913343291+524143
bgcolor=#ccccff align=center

| 6

align=left| Yamaha Júbilo13805430311+1197342
bgcolor=#ccccff align=center

| 7

align=left| Kintetsu Liners13607356308+486333
bgcolor=#ccccff align=center

| 8

align=left| NEC Green Rockets13607399375+247132
bgcolor=#ccccff align=center

| 9

align=left| NTT Com Shining Arcs13706240313–731231
bgcolor=#ccccff align=center

| 10

align=left| Ricoh Black Rams13508322360–385328
bgcolor=#ffffff align=center

| 11

align=left| Canon Eagles133010287382–955219
bgcolor=#ffffff align=center

| 12

align=left| Kyuden Voltex132011238593–3555316
bgcolor=#fffccc align=center

| 13

align=left| NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes131012217524–307228
bgcolor=#fffccc align=center

| 14

align=left| Fukuoka Sanix Blues131012256513–257217
align=center

|colspan="15" style="border:0px"|

{{bull}} The top 4 teams qualified to the title play-offs.

{{bull}}The top 4 teams also qualified for entry into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

{{bull}} Teams 5 to 10 qualified to the wildcard play-offs for entry into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

{{bull}} Teams 11 and 12 remain in the Top League for 2013–14.

{{bull}} Teams 13 and 14 went through to the promotion and relegation play-offs against regional challengers.

bgcolor=#ffffff align=center

|colspan="15"|

Source:[http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=96&Stagione=2012/13 The Rugby Archive]{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=96&Stagione=2012/13 |title=2012/13 Top League |publisher= The Rugby Archive}} Updated: 6 Jan 2013

Four points for a win, two for a draw, one bonus point for four tries or more (BP1) and one bonus point for losing by seven or less (BP2).

If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:

{{bull}} Difference between points for and against

{{bull}} Total number of points for

{{bull}} Number of matches won

{{bull}} Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams

{{bull}} Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled

align=left|

=Fixtures and results=

==Round 1==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 31 Aug 2012

| time = 19:30

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 39–15

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6641.html Report]

| away = NEC Green Rockets

| try1 = Shinya Makabe {{try|5}}
Go Aruga {{try|44}}
Hirotoki Onozawa {{try|53}}
Kosei Ono {{try|61}}
Tusi Pisi {{try|77}}

| con1 = Ryan Nicholas (4/5)

| pen1 = Ryan Nicholas (2/3) 29', 38'

| drop1 =

| try2 = Nemani Nadolo {{try|16|80}}

| con2 = Yuu Tamura (1/2)

| pen2 = Yuu Tamura 34' (1/1)

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance = 8,447

| referee = {{flagicon|JPN}} Taku Otsuki

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Sep 2012

| time = 17:00

| home = Ricoh Black Rams

| score = 13–44

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6642.html Report]

| away = Panasonic Wild Knights

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Sep 2012

| time = 18:00

| home = Kobelco Steelers

| score = 19–6

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6644.html Report]

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| try1 =

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| stadium = Kobe U, Hyogo

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Sep 2012

| time = 18:00

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 31–13

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6645.html Report]

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| try1 =

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| stadium = Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| score = 26–16

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6643.html Report]

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = Toyota Verblitz

| score = 12–26

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6646.html Report]

| away = Yamaha Júbilo

| try1 =

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| stadium = Mizuho Stadium, Aichi

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 14–38

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6647.html Report]

| away = Canon Eagles

| try1 =

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| stadium = Nagai 2nd, Osaka

| attendance =

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}}

==Round 2==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 7 Sep 2012

| time = 19:30

| home = Canon Eagles

| score = 15–21

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6648.html Report]

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

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}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Sep 2012

| time = 17:00

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 26–27

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6649.html Report]

| away = Toyota Verblitz

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Sep 2012

| time = 18:00

| home = Ricoh Black Rams

| score = 15–26

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6651.html Report]

| away = Kobelco Steelers

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Sep 2012

| time = 18:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 34–13

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6652.html Report]

| away = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| try1 =

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| stadium = Nagai 2nd, Osaka

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 34–29

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6650.html Report]

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 9–41

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6653.html Report]

| away = Yamaha Júbilo

| try1 =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 Sep 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 22–25

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6654.html Report]

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

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==Round 3==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 14 Sep 2012

| time = 19:30

| home = Ricoh Black Rams

| score = 19–37

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6655.html Report]

| away = Suntory Sungoliath

| try1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 Sep 2012

| time = 17:00

| home = Canon Eagles

| score = 22–32

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6656.html Report]

| away = Kobelco Steelers

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 Sep 2012

| time = 17:00

| home = Yamaha Júbilo

| score = 25–19

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6658.html Report]

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| stadium = Yamaha, Shizuoka

| attendance =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| score = 64–12

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6657.html Report]

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 Sep 2012

| time = 15:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 55–15

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6659.html Report]

| away = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| try1 =

| con1 =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 Sep 2012

| time = 17:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 17–21

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6660.html Report]

| away = NEC Green Rockets

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

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| stadium = Mizuho Stadium, Aichi

| attendance =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = Toyota Verblitz

| score = 19–15

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6661.html Report]

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

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| stadium = Mizuho Stadium, Aichi

| attendance =

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==Round 4==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 21 Sep 2012

| time = 19:30

| home = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| score = 14–9

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6662.html Report]

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 22 Sep 2012

| time = 17:00

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 42–17

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6663.html Report]

| away = Canon Eagles

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

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| con2 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 22 Sep 2012

| time = 17:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 48–11

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6665.html Report]

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

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| stadium = Toyota Stadium, Aichi

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 22 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| score = 32–22

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6664.html Report]

| away = Panasonic Wild Knights

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 = Sonny Bill Williams {{try|25}}

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 22 Sep 2012

| time = 19:00

| home = Toyota Verblitz

| score = 23–23

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6666.html Report]

| away = Kobelco Steelers

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

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| con2 =

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| stadium = Toyota Stadium, Aichi

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 Sep 2012

| time = 15:00

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 42–13

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6667.html Report]

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

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| stadium = ND Stadium, Tendō, Yamagata

| attendance =

| referee =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 Sep 2012

| time = 15:00

| home = Yamaha Júbilo

| score = 53–27

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6668.html Report]

| away = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| try1 =

| con1 =

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==Round 5==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 5 Oct 2012

| time = 19:30

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 21–38

| report =

| away = Panasonic Wild Knights

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

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| try2 =

| con2 =

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| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Canon Eagles

| score = 34–5

| report =

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Morioka, Iwate

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Ricoh Black Rams

| score = 50–17

| report =

| away = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Yamaha Júbilo

| score = 13–33

| report =

| away = Kobelco Steelers

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| score = 21–29

| report =

| away = Toyota Verblitz

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

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| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Morioka, Iwate

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| score = 23–15

| report =

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 24–49

| report =

| away = Suntory Sungoliath

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 6==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 35–18

| report =

| away = Yamaha Júbilo

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Kobelco Steelers

| score = 70–24

| report =

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Ricoh Black Rams

| score = 36–19

| report =

| away = NEC Green Rockets

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 7–59

| report =

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 13 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Toyota Verblitz

| score = 22–25

| report =

| away = Suntory Sungoliath

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Mizuho Stadium, Aichi

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 14 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Canon Eagles

| score = 17–31

| report =

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Yurtec Stadium, Miyagi

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 14 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 20–29

| report =

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Global Arena, Fukuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 7==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 33–48

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6688.html report]

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 29–37

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6690.html report]

| away = Kobelco Steelers

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| score = 30–23

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6692.html report]

| away = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Niigata Stadium, Niigata

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Yamaha Júbilo

| score = 52–8

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6693.html report]

| away = Kyuden Voltex

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Yamaha, Shizuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 34–20

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6689.html report]

| away = Panasonic Wild Knights

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 10–18

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6691.html report]

| away = Toyota Verblitz

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 21 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Canon Eagles

| score = 17–35

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6694.html report]

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Nippatsu, Kanagawa

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 8==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Canon Eagles

| score = 25–36

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6695.html report]

| away = Yamaha Júbilo

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 Oct 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| score = 19–17

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6697.html report]

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| score = 26–28

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6699.html report]

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = K's denki Stadium, Ibaraki

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 23–20

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6700.html report]

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| try1 = Sonny Bill Williams {{try|1}}

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Ota Athletic Stadium, Gunma

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 Oct 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Kobelco Steelers

| score = 48–14

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6701.html report]

| away = NEC Green Rockets

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Kochi Athletic Stadium, Kochi

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| score = 23–24

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6696.html report]

| away = Toyota Verblitz

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 27 Oct 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 19–42

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6698.html report]

| away = Suntory Sungoliath

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 9==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| score = 17–14

| report =

| away = Yamaha Júbilo

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium =

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 1 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 48–14

| report =

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Chuo Bank Stadium, Yamanashi

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 Dec 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| score = 5–48

| report =

| away = Kobelco Steelers

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 40–17

| report =

| away = Toyota Verblitz

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Ota Athletic Stadium, Gunma

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 10–23

| report =

| away = Canon Eagles

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Global Arena, Fukuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 Dec 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 19–17

| report =

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 2 Dec 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| score = 18–55

| report =

| away = NEC Green Rockets

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = KKWing Stadium, Kumamoto

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 10==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 29–6

| report =

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Fukuda Denshi Arena, Chiba

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 15–14

| report =

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 8 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Yamaha Júbilo

| score = 28–35

| report =

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Yamaha, Shizuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 65–7

| report =

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Ota Athletic Stadium, Gunma

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Kobelco Steelers

| score = 52–7

| report =

| away = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Kanko Stadium, Okayama

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Canon Eagles

| score = 26–34

| report =

| away = Toyota Verblitz

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Pocarisweat Stadium, Tokushima

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| score = 29–28

| report =

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Best Amenity Stadium, Saga

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 11==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 Dec 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| score = 35–76

| report =

| away = Panasonic Wild Knights

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 38–7

| report =

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 14–44

| report =

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Ojiyama Stadium, Shiga

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15 Dec 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 44–39

| report =

| away = Canon Eagles

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Hanazono, Osaka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 35–49

| report =

| away = Yamaha Júbilo

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Nagaragawa Stadium, Gifu

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Kobelco Steelers

| score = 27–29

| report =

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Home's Stadium, Hyogo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 16 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 25–35

| report =

| away = Toyota Verblitz

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Okinawa Athletic Stadium, Okinawa

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 12==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 22 Dec 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| score = 13–10

| report =

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 22 Dec 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 34–0

| report =

| away = Canon Eagles

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 Dec 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Toyota Verblitz

| score = 52–7

| report =

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Home's Stadium, Hyogo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 Dec 2012

| time = 12:00

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 13–42

| report =

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Kamoike Stadium, Kagoshima

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 Dec 2012

| time = 13:00

| home = Yamaha Júbilo

| score = 29–35

| report =

| away = Suntory Sungoliath

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Yamaha, Shizuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 Dec 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Kobelco Steelers

| score = 24–25

| report =

| away = Panasonic Wild Knights

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Home's Stadium, Hyogo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 23 Dec 2012

| time = 14:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| score = 5–101

| report = [http://www.top-league.jp/game/2012/score6728.html Report]

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 = Masami 32' m

| con1 = Saito (0/1)

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 = Tachikawa 1' c
Ito 6' c
Senba 18' c
Nakai 23' c
Hirose 29' m
Fujiya (2) 38' c, 46' c
Leitch (2) 42' c, 52' c
Kubo 57' c
Kajikawa (2) 60' c, 76' c
Mikami 66' m
Bates 70' c
Asahama 74' c

| con2 = Hill (10/11)
Yoshida (3/4)

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Kamoike Stadium, Kagoshima

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

==Round 13==

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Jan 2013

| time = 12:00

| home = Ricoh Black Rams

| score = 21–46

| report =

| away = Yamaha Júbilo

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Jan 2013

| time = 12:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 44–14

| report =

| away = Canon Eagles

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium, Kyoto

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Jan 2013

| time = 12:00

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 36–55

| report =

| away = NEC Green Rockets

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Jan 2013

| time = 13:00

| home = Kobelco Steelers

| score = 29–43

| report =

| away = Suntory Sungoliath

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Home's Stadium, Hyogo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Jan 2013

| time = 14:00

| home = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| score = 50–30

| report =

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Jan 2013

| time = 14:00

| home = Toyota Verblitz

| score = 31–24

| report =

| away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium, Kyoto

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 6 Jan 2013

| time = 14:00

| home = Kyuden Voltex

| score = 27–28

| report =

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| drop1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| drop2 =

| stadium = Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{anchor|Cup}} Title play-offs

Top 4 sides of the regular season competed in the Microsoft Cup (2013) knock out tournament to fight for the Top League title. The top 4 teams of 2012–13 were Suntory Sungoliath, Toshiba Brave Lupus, Panasonic Wild Knights, and Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers.

=Semi-finals=

{{rugbybox

| date = 19 January 2013

| time =

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 38–19

| report =

| away = Kobelco Steelers

| try1 = Hatakeyama 49'
Pisi (2) 57', 78'
Murata 60'

| con1 = Nicholas (3) 49', 57', 78'

| pen1 = Nicholas (3) 12', 25', 39'

| drop1 = Pisi 70'

| try2 = Yasui 18'
Maekawa 27'
Ohashi 32'

| con2 = Morita (2) 18', 27'

| pen2 =

| stadium =

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

{{rugbybox

| date = 20 January 2013

| time =

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights

| score = 8–20

| report =

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 = Sasakura 51'

| con1 =

| pen1 = Delany 24'

| try2 = T Yoshida 69'
Shin Ito 79'

| con2 = Hill 69'
R Yoshida 79'

| pen2 = Hill 14, 55'

| stadium =

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

=Final=

{{rugbybox

| date = 27 January 2013

| time = 14:00

| home = Suntory Sungoliath

| score = 19–3

| report =

| away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| try1 = Murata (2) 8', 34'
Pisi 75'

| con1 = Nicholas (2) 34', 75'

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 = Hill 18'

| stadium = Prince Chichibu, Tokyo

| attendance = 13,858

| referee = {{flagicon|JPN}} Taizo Hirabayashi}}

width="100%"

|valign="top" width="50%"|

{| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"

width="25"|width="25"|
FB15{{flagicon|JPN}} Go Aruga{{suboff|76}}
RW14{{flagicon|JPN}} Daichi Murata{{sin bin|42|52}}
OC13{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji Taira
IC12{{flagicon|JPN}} Ryan Nicholas
LW11{{flagicon|JPN}} Hirotoki Onozawa
FH10{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosei Ono{{suboff|72}}
SH9{{flagicon|RSA}} Fourie du Preez{{sin bin|61|71}} {{suboff|72}}
N88{{flagicon|JPN}} Masakatsu Nishikawa{{suboff|76}}
OF7{{flagicon|JPN}} Takamichi Sasaki{{suboff|52}}
BF6{{flagicon|AUS}} George Smith
RL5{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinya Makabe (c)
LL4{{flagicon|JPN}} Koji Shinozuka
TP3{{flagicon|JPN}} Kensuke Hatakeyama{{suboff|31}}
HK2{{flagicon|JPN}} Yusuke Aoki{{suboff|54}}
LP1{{flagicon|JPN}} Akira Ozaki{{suboff|76}}
colspan=3|Replacements:
PR16{{flagicon|JPN}} Tateo Kanai{{subon|76}}
PR17{{flagicon|JPN}} Yosuke Ikegaya{{subon|31}}
LK18
FL19{{flagicon|CHN}} Shinji Gen{{subon|76}}
SH20{{flagicon|JPN}} Atsushi Hiwasa{{subon|72}}
FH21{{flagicon|SAM}} Tusi Pisi{{subon|72}}
FB22{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Miyamoto{{subon|76}}
|colspan=3|Coach: {{flagicon|JPN}} Naoya Okubo
colspan="4"|

|valign="top" width="50%"|

style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"
width="25"|width="25"|
FB15{{flagicon|JPN}} Gochi Tachikawa{{suboff|76}}
RW14{{flagicon|JPN}} Toshiaki Hirose
OC13{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Yoshida
IC12{{flagicon|JPN}} Tomohiro Senba
LW11{{flagicon|JPN}} Shin Ito
FH10{{flagicon|NZL}} David Hill{{suboff|40}}
SH9{{flagicon|JPN}} Jun Fujii{{suboff|47}}
N88{{flagicon|JPN}} Masato Toyoda (c)
OF7{{flagicon|JPN}} Tomoaki Nakai
BF6{{flagicon|NZL}} Steven Bates{{suboff|53}}
RL5{{flagicon|JPN}} Hitoshi Ono
LL4{{flagicon|JPN}} Yota Mochizuki{{suboff|72}}
TP3{{flagicon|JPN}} Takuma Asahara
HK2{{flagicon|JPN}} Hiroki Yuhara{{suboff|72}}
LP1{{flagicon|JPN}} Tomohiro Kubo{{suboff|58}}
colspan=3|Replacements:
HK16{{flagicon|JPN}} Taku Inokuchi{{subon|72}}
PR17{{flagicon|JPN}} Masataka Mikami{{subon|58}}
LK18{{flagicon|JPN}} Kyosuke Kajikawa{{subon|72}}
FL19{{flagicon|JPN}} Michael Leitch{{subon|53}}
SH20{{flagicon|JPN}} Tomoki Yoshida{{subon|47}}
CE21{{flagicon|NZL}} Neil Brew{{subon|40}}
WG22{{flagicon|JPN}} Takehisa Usuzuki{{subon|76}}
|colspan=3|Coach: {{flagicon|JPN}} Kenichi Wada
colspan="4"|

|}

Wildcard play-offs

The two second round winners qualified for the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

=First round=

The Top League teams ranked 7th and 10th played-off for the right to meet the Top League team ranked 5th in the second round. The Top League teams ranked 8th and 9th played-off for the right to meet the Top League team ranked 6th in the second round.

----

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 January 2013

| time =

| home = Kintetsu Liners

| score = 43–21

| report =

| away = Ricoh Black Rams

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium = Hanazono Stadium, Osaka

| attendance = 3,807

| referee = Kyosuke Toda

}}

----

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 20 January 2013

| time =

| home = NEC Green Rockets

| score = 38–14

| report =

| away = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium = Hanazono Stadium, Osaka

| attendance = 3,161

| referee = Takashi Harada

}}

----

So Kintetsu and NEC progressed to the second round.

=Second round=

The Top League team ranked 5th played-off against the winner of the teams ranked 7th and 10th, and the Top League team ranked 6th played-off against the winner of the teams ranked 8th and 9th. The two winning second round teams advanced to the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

----

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 26 January 2013

| time =

| home = Toyota Verblitz

| score = 41–23

| report =

| away = NEC Green Rockets

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium = Hanazono Stadium, Osaka

| attendance = 3,958

| referee = Shuhei Kubo

}}

----

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 26 January 2013

| time =

| home = Yamaha Júbilo

| score = 70–12

| report =

| away = Kintetsu Liners

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium = Hanazono Stadium, Osaka

| attendance = 3,464

| referee = Tatsuya Matsuoka

}}

----

So Toyota and Yamaha advanced to the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

Top League Challenge Series

{{main|2012–13 Top League Challenge Series}}

Coca-Cola West Red Sparks and Kubota Spears won promotion to the 2013–14 Top League via the 2012–13 Top League Challenge Series, while Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars and Toyota Industries Shuttles progressed to the promotion play-offs.

Promotion and relegation play-offs

The Top League teams ranked 14th and 13th played-off against the Challenge 1 teams ranked 3rd and 4th respectively, for the right to be included in the Top League for the following season.

----

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date =3 February 2013

| time =

| home = Fukuoka Sanix Blues

| score = 28–34

| report =

| away = Toyota Industries Shuttles

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium = Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka

| attendance = 1,385

| referee = Kazuhito Taniguchi

}}

----

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 9 February 2013

| time =

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 24–21

| report =

| away = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium = Hanazono Stadium, Osaka

| attendance = 4,958

| referee = Kyosuke Toda

}}

----

So Toyota Industries was promoted, Sanix was relegated, and NTT remained in the Top League for the next season.

End-of-season awards

Awards for the Top League season, including the Best XV, were chosen by a panel of members of the media, coaches and captains. The Best XV for the 2012-13 season was spread across six different clubs.

=Team awards=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:left;"
style="width:150px;"|Award

! style="width:300px;"|Winner

Top League winners:Suntory Sungoliath
Fair Play award:Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Best fans:Kobelco Steelers

=Individual awards=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:left;"
style="width:150px;"|Award

! style="width:300px;"|Winner

Top League MVP:{{flagicon|AUS}} George Smith (Suntory Sungoliath)
Rookie award:{{flagicon|JPN}} Kohei Yoshida (Toyota Verblitz)
Most tries:{{flagicon|JPN}} Akihito Yamada (Panasonic Wild Knights)
Top scorer:{{flagicon|JPN}} Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha Jubilo)
Best kicker:{{flagicon|JPN}} Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha Jubilo)
Best referee:{{flagicon|JPN}} Taizo Hirabayashi
Playoffs MVP:{{flagicon|SAM}} Tusi Pisi (Suntory Sungoliath)
Special prize:{{flagicon|JPN}} Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory Sungoliath)
First player to score 100 Top League tries

=Team of the season=

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:left;"
style="width:25px;"|#

! style="width:300px;"|Winner

1.{{flagicon|JPN}} Yoshimitsu Yasue (Kobelco Steelers)
2.{{flagicon|JPN}} Yusuke Aoki (Suntory Sungoliath)
3.{{flagicon|JPN}} Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory Sungoliath)
4.{{flagicon|JPN}} Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
5.{{flagicon|JPN}} Shinya Makabe (Suntory Sungoliath)
6.{{flagicon|AUS}} George Smith (Suntory Sungoliath)
7.{{flagicon|JPN}} Michael Leitch (Toshiba Brave Lupus)
8.{{flagicon|JPN}} Takashi Kikutani (Toyota Verblitz)
9.{{flagicon|JPN}} Atsushi Hiwasa (Suntory Sungoliath)
10.{{flagicon|JPN}} Kosei Ono (Suntory Sungoliath)
11.{{flagicon|JPN}} Akihito Yamada (Panasonic Wild Knights)
12.{{flagicon|SAM}} Male Sa'u (Yamaha Jubilo)
13.{{flagicon|RSA}} Jaque Fourie (Kobelco Steelers)
14.{{flagicon|JPN}} Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory Sungoliath)
15.{{flagicon|JPN}} Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha Jubilo)

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web

|date= 6 February 2013

|title= Rugby in Japan Newsletter Volume 10, No.5

|website= Rugby International

|accessdate= 27 July 2014

|url= http://rugby-international.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/rugby-in-japan-newsletter-volume-10-no5.html

|url-status= live

|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140727064332/http://rugby-international.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/rugby-in-japan-newsletter-volume-10-no5.html

|archivedate= 27 July 2014}}

}}