Munakata Sanix Blues (宗像サニックスブルース, Munakata Sanikkusu Burūsu), formerly Fukuoka Sanix Blues and Fukuoka Sanix Bombs, was a Japanese rugby union team based in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Founded in April 1994 (Heisei 6), the team rose rapidly through the Kyūshū leagues and was in the Top League for the first season (2003-4) as Kyūshū's sole representative, but lost a relegation battle with Kintetsu Liners 42-45 and was demoted. But Sanix managed to return to the Top League for the 2005-6 season, beating Secom Rugguts and Toyota Jido Shokki in the Top League Challenge Series 2005.
 | |||
| Full name | Munakata Sanix Blues | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Union | Japan Rugby Football Union | ||
| Nickname(s) | Blues | ||
| Founded | 1994 | ||
| Disbanded | 2022 | ||
| Location | Munakata, Fukuoka, Japan | ||
| Ground(s) | Various stadiums | ||
| League(s) | Japan Rugby League One, Division Three | ||
| 2022 | 3rd | ||
| |||
In March 2022, Sanix Inc., the operators of the club, announced the disbandment of the team following the conclusion of the 2022 Japan Rugby League One season.[1]
Current squad
edit
The Munakata Sanix Blues squad for the 2022 season was:[2]
| Munakata Sanix Blues squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers Locks |
Loose forwards
Scrum-halves Fly-halves |
Centres
Wings Fullbacks |
| (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes player is internationally capped |
Former players
edit- Graeme Bachop
- Jamie Joseph
- John Leslie
- Matua Parkinson - blindside flanker
- Bad Luck Fale
- Damian Karauna - utility back
- Reuben Parkinson - centre
- Jacques Potgieter - flank
Home ground
edit- Global Arena (The Sanix company is involved in the running of the Global Arena in Munakata, which is also the venue for the annual Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament held in May between eight top Japanese and eight top foreign high school teams from various countries.)
- Sanix Genkai Ground, Kamiminato, Munakata, Fukuoka.
Mascot
edit- The former mascot's name was Bombee. He was a cartoon-style dog with floppy ears who wore the Sanix rugby kit and a scrum cap. He was no longer used when the team name changed from Bombs to Blues.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Rugby: Sanix Blues suspending operations due to business struggles". Kyodo News. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
- ^ "The Team". Munakata Sanix Blues. Retrieved 29 November 2018.