2013–14 Top League#Promotion and relegation play-offs

The Top League expanded from 14 to 16 teams for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web |year=2013 |title=Japan Rugby Top League 16 Team Captains |publisher=Japan Rugby |accessdate=21 November 2013 |url=http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/top-league-2013-14/item/116-japan-rugby-top-league-16-team-captains |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121015230/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/top-league-2013-14/item/116-japan-rugby-top-league-16-team-captains |archivedate=21 November 2013 }} The Sanix Blues team was relegated, and Coca-Cola West Red Sparks, Kubota Spears, Toyota Industries were promoted to the Top League for 2013–14.

For the Pool stage, the 16 teams were placed into 2 pools of 8 teams each and a round-robin tournament was played within each of the pools.

Then, for the Group stage, the top 4 teams from each pool went through to Group 1, and the bottom 4 teams from each pool went through to Group 2. The teams were given starting points based on where they finished in their pool.

- i.e. starting points of 4, 3, 2, and 1, for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively; and starting points of 4, 3, 2, and 1, for 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively.

Another round-robin was played for each of the groups. The Top League teams in Group 1 ranked 1st to 4th 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.

The teams in Group 1 ranked 5th to 8th, and teams in Group 2 ranked 1st to 4th went through to the wildcard play-offs for qualification into the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

The teams in Group 2 ranked 5th to 7th went through to the promotion and relegation play-offs against regional challengers to fight to remain in the Top League. The team in Group 2 ranked 8th was automatically relegated to the regional leagues for 2014–15.

{{Expand section|1=Results (Source: [http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=96&Stagione=2013/14 The Rugby Archive]|date=January 2015}}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 30/11/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks | score = 32–17 | report = | away = Ricoh Black Rams | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 30/11/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kyuden Voltex | score = 38–36 | report = | away = NTT Com Shining Arcs | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 30/11/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = NEC Green Rockets | score = 19–22 | report = | away = Canon Eagles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 30/11/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Panasonic Wild Knights | score = 24–20 | report = | away = Yamaha Jubilo | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 01/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kintetsu Liners | score = 21–20 | report = | away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 01/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kobelco Steelers | score = 23–37 | report = | away = Suntory Sungoliath | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 01/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kubota Spears | score = 30–7 | report = | away = Toyota Industries Shuttles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 01/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Verblitz | score = 12–27 | report = | away = Toshiba Brave Lupus | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 07/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = NEC Green Rockets | score = 24–52 | report = | away = Suntory Sungoliath | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 07/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = NTT Com Shining Arcs | score = 16–47 | report = | away = Ricoh Black Rams | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 07/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Industries Shuttles | score = 50–29 | report = | away = Kintetsu Liners | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 07/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Verblitz | score = 11–32 | report = | away = Panasonic Wild Knights | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 07/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Yamaha Jubilo | score = 35–16 | report = | away = Kobelco Steelers | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 08/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kyuden Voltex | score = 14–25 | report = | away = Kubota Spears | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 08/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes | score = 17–18 | report = | away = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 08/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Toshiba Brave Lupus | score = 26–24 | report = | away = Canon Eagles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 14/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Suntory Sungoliath | score = 13–42| report = | away = Panasonic Wild Knights | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 14/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Toshiba Brave Lupus | score = 22–18| report = | away = NEC Green Rockets | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 14/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Yamaha Jubilo | score = 23–19| report = | away = Canon Eagles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 15/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks | score = 24–29| report = | away = Toyota Industries Shuttles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 15/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kintetsu Liners | score = 31–15| report = | away = Kyuden Voltex | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 15/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kobelco Steelers | score = 34–18| report = | away = Toyota Verblitz | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 15/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kubota Spears | score = 18–20| report = | away = NTT Com Shining Arcs | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 15/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Ricoh Black Rams | score = 36–20| report = | away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 21/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kubota Spears | score = 32–5| report = | away = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 21/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = NTT Com Shining Arcs | score = 24–14| report = | away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 21/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Industries Shuttles | score = 44–12| report = | away = Kyuden Voltex | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 21/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Yamaha Jubilo | score = 40–26| report = | away = NEC Green Rockets | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 22/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Kobelco Steelers | score = 48–19| report = | away = Canon Eagles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 22/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Panasonic Wild Knights | score = 14–12| report = | away = Toshiba Brave Lupus | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 22/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Ricoh Black Rams | score = 19–24| report = | away = Kintetsu Liners | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 22/12/2013 | time = 14:00 | home = Suntory Sungoliath | score = 49–7| report = | away = Toyota Verblitz | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 04/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Canon Eagles | score = 3–53| report = | away = Panasonic Wild Knights | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 04/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = NEC Green Rockets | score = 17–33| report = | away = Kobelco Steelers | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 04/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes | score = 12–28| report = | away = Kubota Spears | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 05/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks | score = 20–27| report = | away = Kintetsu Liners | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 05/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Kyuden Voltex | score = 31–29| report = | away = Ricoh Black Rams | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 05/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Toshiba Brave Lupus | score = 29–30| report = | away = Suntory Sungoliath | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 05/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Industries Shuttles | score = 34–21| report = | away = NTT Com Shining Arcs | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 05/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Verblitz | score = 41–16| report = | away = Yamaha Jubilo | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Canon Eagles | score = 25–58| report = | away = Suntory Sungoliath | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Kintetsu Liners | score = 17–20| report = | away = Kubota Spears | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Kyuden Voltex | score = 21–31| report = | away = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = NTT Com Shining Arcs | score = 27–21| report = | away = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Panasonic Wild Knights | score = 32–31| report = | away = Kobelco Steelers | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Industries Shuttles | score = 14–41| report = | away = Ricoh Black Rams | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Toyota Verblitz | score = 14–11| report = | away = NEC Green Rockets | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 11/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Yamaha Jubilo | score = 15–29| report = | away = Toshiba Brave Lupus | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 18/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Kintetsu Liners | score = 38–14 | report = | away = NTT Com Shining Arcs | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 18/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes | score = 38–12 | report = | away = Toyota Industries Shuttles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 18/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Ricoh Black Rams | score = 28–13 | report = | away = Kubota Spears | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 18/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Suntory Sungoliath | score = 22–19 | report = | away = Yamaha Jubilo | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 19/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Canon Eagles | score = 19–24 | report = | away = Toyota Verblitz | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 19/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks | score = 37–26 | report = | away = Kyuden Voltex | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 19/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Kobelco Steelers | score = 38–36 | report = | away = Toshiba Brave Lupus | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 19/01/2014 | time = 14:00 | home = Panasonic Wild Knights | score = 27–15 | report = | away = NEC Green Rockets | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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Top 4 sides of the regular season competed in the Microsoft Cup (2014) knock out tournament to fight for the Top League title. The top 4 teams of 2013–14 were Panasonic Wild Knights, Suntory Sungoliath, Kobelco Steelers, and Toshiba Brave Lupus.

{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 01/02/2014 | time = 14:00| home = Panasonic Wild Knights | score = 55–15 | away = Toshiba Brave Lupus

| stadium = Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20140315014117/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/201-panasonic-to-play-toshiba-in-season-finale Report]{{cite web

|date=2 February 2014

|title=Panasonic to play Toshiba in season finale

|publisher=Japan Rugby

|accessdate=14 January 2015

|url=http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/201-panasonic-to-play-toshiba-in-season-finale

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315014117/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/201-panasonic-to-play-toshiba-in-season-finale

|archivedate=15 March 2014

}}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20150114070617/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-toshiba-brave-lupus-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-1st-feb-2014/2654/commentary Summary]{{cite web

|date=2 February 2014

|title=Suntory Sungoliath vs. Kobelco Steelers

|publisher=Ultimate Rugby

|accessdate=14 January 2015

|url=http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-toshiba-brave-lupus-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-1st-feb-2014/2654/commentary

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114070617/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-toshiba-brave-lupus-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-1st-feb-2014/2654/commentary

|archivedate=14 January 2015

}}

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| drop1 =

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| pen2 =

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 02/02/2014 | time = 14:00| home = Suntory Sungoliath | score = 27–19 | away = Kobelco Steelers

| stadium = Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

| attendance =

| referee =

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20140315013131/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/200-kobe-toshiba-win-in-front-of-emperor Report]{{cite web

|date=2 February 2014

|title=Toshiba win in front of Emperor

|publisher=Japan Rugby

|accessdate=14 January 2015

|url=http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/200-kobe-toshiba-win-in-front-of-emperor

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140315013131/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/200-kobe-toshiba-win-in-front-of-emperor

|archivedate=15 March 2014

}}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20150114070429/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/kobelco-steelers-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-2nd-feb-2014/2655/commentary Summary]{{cite web

|date=2 February 2014

|title=Suntory Sungoliath vs. Kobelco Steelers

|publisher=Ultimate Rugby

|accessdate=14 January 2015

|url=http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/kobelco-steelers-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-2nd-feb-2014/2655/commentary

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114070429/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/kobelco-steelers-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-2nd-feb-2014/2655/commentary

|archivedate=14 January 2015

}}

| try1 =

| con1 =

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}}

{{rugbybox collapsible |class =collapsible expanded

| date = 09/02/2014

| time = 14:00

| home = Panasonic Wild Knights | score = 45–22 | away = Suntory Sungoliath

| stadium = Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo

| attendance = 10,217

| referee =

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20150114064519/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/195-panasonic-crowned-top-league-champions Report]{{cite web

|date=9 February 2014

|title=Panasonic crowned Top League champions

|publisher=Japan Rugby

|accessdate=16 February 2014

|url=http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/195-panasonic-crowned-top-league-champions

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114064519/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/latest/item/195-panasonic-crowned-top-league-champions

|archivedate=14 January 2015

}}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20140216210117/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-11th-feb-2014/2672/commentary Summary]{{cite web

|date=9 February 2014

|title=Panasonic Wild Knights vs. Suntory Sungoliath

|publisher=Ultimate Rugby

|accessdate=16 February 2014

|url=http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-11th-feb-2014/2672/commentary

|url-status=dead

|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216210117/http://www.ultimaterugby.com/match/panasonic-wild-knights-vs-suntory-sungoliath-at-chichibunomiya-rugby-stadium-11th-feb-2014/2672/commentary

|archivedate=16 February 2014

}}

| try1 = Yamada 5', 49' Miyake 77'

| con1 = Barnes (2/3) 50', 78'

| pen1 = Barnes (8/9) 21', 24', 31',
46', 53', 69', 72', 80'

| drop1 =

| try2 = Shinya 9', Du Preez 14', Aruga 36'

| con2 = Tsukamoto (1/1) 15'
Nicholas (1/2) 38'

| pen2 = Nicholas (1/2) 60'

| drop2 =

}}

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

|}

|}

The Top League Group 1 teams ranked 5–8 and Group 2 teams ranked 1–4 played off over two rounds, with the second round winners qualifying for the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 01/02/2014 | time = | home = NEC Green Rockets | score = 47–10 | report = | away = Kubota Spears | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 01/02/2014 | time = | home = Yamaha Jubilo | score = 46–0 | report = | away = Toyota Industries Shuttles | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 02/02/2014 | time = | home = Canon Eagles | score = 25–41 | report = | away = Kintetsu Liners | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 02/02/2014 | time = | home = Toyota Verblitz | score = 32–17 | report = | away = Ricoh Black Rams | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 08/02/2014 | time = | home = NEC Green Rockets | score = 12–13 | report = | away = Yamaha Jubilo | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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{{rugbybox collapsible | date = 08/02/2014 | time = | home = Kintetsu Liners | score = 3–18 | report = | away = Toyota Verblitz | stadium = | attendance = | referee = }}

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

{{main|2013–14 Top League Challenge Series}}

Fukuoka Sanix Blues won promotion to the 2014–15 Top League via the 2013–14 Top League Challenge Series, while Honda Heat, Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars and Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars progressed to the promotion play-offs.

The Top League teams in Group 2 ranked 5th, 6th, and 7th, played-off against the Challenge 1 teams ranked 4th, 3rd, and 2nd, respectively, for the right to be included in the Top League for the following season.

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 08/02/2014

| time =

| home = Coca-Cola West Red Sparks

| score = 22–17

| report =

| away = Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars

| try1 =

| con1 =

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| con2 =

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}}

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 15/02/2014

| time =

| home = NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes

| score = 41–29

| report =

| away = Honda Heat

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium =

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| referee =

}}

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{{rugbybox collapsible

| date = 22/02/2014

| time =

| home = NTT Com Shining Arcs

| score = 29–7

| report =

| away = Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars

| try1 =

| con1 =

| pen1 =

| try2 =

| con2 =

| pen2 =

| stadium =

| attendance =

| referee =

}}

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So Coca-Cola West Red Sparks, NTT Docomo, and NTT remained in the Top League for the next season.

{{Expand section|1=Results|date=November 2013}}

At the end of season awards, Panasonic Wild Knights flyhalf Berrick Barnes was named Top League MVP, a day after helping his side to the league title. He was handed his trophy by Japan coach Eddie Jones.{{cite web

|date= 12 February 2014

|title= Barnes named Top League MVP

|publisher= Japan Rugby

|accessdate= 16 February 2014

|url= http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/component/k2/item/196-barnes-named-top-league-mvp

|url-status= dead

|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20140216221908/http://jrfu.org/jrfu/index.php/component/k2/item/196-barnes-named-top-league-mvp

|archivedate= 16 February 2014

}}

{{reflist|colwidth=25em|refs=

{{cite web

|url=http://www.rugbyarchive.net/Pagine/StagioneCompetizioni.aspx?ID=96&Stagione=2013/14

|title=2013/14 Top League

|publisher=The Rugby Archive

|url-status=live

|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240527051221/https://www.webcitation.org/6VYL3iStW?url=http://www.peeep.us/d0906abd

|archivedate=27 May 2024

}}

}}

{{Japan Rugby Top League}}

{{Rugby union in Japan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2013-14 Top League}}

Category:Japan Rugby League One

Category:2013–14 in Japanese rugby union

Japan top