World rankings

[saulan]

I've always considered Japan a 'Southern Hemisphere' team. They spent four or five years in the Pacific Nations Cup with Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, NZ and Australia.

2013-2015 editions have also featured Canada and the USA, does that make them SH as well? The last New Zealand or Australian team to play in the tournament was 2009. Yes, I accept that Japan has been in this tournament since 2006, but they have also been in the Asia Rugby Championship (NH only) since 1969.

 

[Larksea]

If you ain't first, you're last.
~ Reese Bobby

Just FYi

 

[smartcooky]

You mean the only thing that actually defines if a country is NH or SH?

I know some people lump NH and SH based on where they play, but I don't like it. Japan is nowhere near being in the SH.

Also last year it was counted as a NH win when Japan beat us. Why do they change to SH now? Because of the Sunwolves? They haven't played more international matches against SH teams this year and have their internal league still running. In fact they haven't played any SH nations this year and have played six NH nations. Their main international tournament is in the NH (Asian Rugby Championship). Yes, they have played in the Pacific Nations Cup, but at the same time so did Canada and USA and they aren't considered SH.

Maybe at a point when Japan is actually in a SH only tournament then yes I think we can start talking about them being a part of some 'SH' group. But right now they simply aren't. One Super Rugby team doesn't make them SH.

And also, the Pacific Islands have similar latitudes of Australia, whereas Japan has almost the same, but in the other hemisphere (25.27 south vs 36.20 north)

Whatever method you use to determine whether a team is NH or SH, the first criteria involves a line that runs around the middle of the planet... its called "The Equator"