The former Japanese national rugby team was also shocked.

In an unprecedented incident in Rugby League One, the goal post of Chugoku RR (Chugoku Electric Power) broke due to the “pressure” of the players at the NTT League One 3rd Division match between Chugoku RR (Chugoku Electric Power) and Akishima WG (Kurita Water Industries) at the Balcom BMW Stadium in Hiroshima City on January 15. The goal post of Chugoku RR was broken by a player’s “pressure”.

Eighteen minutes into the second half, Akishima WG (blue jersey), trailing by nine points, came from a lineout on the left side of the field and mauled Chugoku RR (red jersey) in front of their own goal. Nearly 15 players from both teams combined touched the goal post in a mass. It broke with a sound. It is believed that the goal posts, which were used in accordance with the competition rules, could not withstand the weight of the players and broke. According to the competition rules, although the goal posts must be at least 3.4 m high and the crossbar must be 3 m high and 5.6 m wide, the length and material of the pole’s diameter are not specifically determined.

I heard a cracking sound and saw it for the first time in my life.

Masahiro Nakano, right WTB of China RR, who saw the collapsing pole up close, commented on the official website of League One. Fortunately, no players or stadium personnel were injured.

The match would have resumed with a replacement post, but there was no replacement post, and the post at the adjacent rugby field was not up to standard, so the match commissioner, referee, and others discussed how to deal with the situation. The match was resumed after a 20-minute stoppage to check the status of the post and the rules, and to explain the situation to both teams.

The broken goalposts were removed, and only the Akishima side’s goalposts were used. Neither team scored a dropped goal, and Akishima WG’s goal kick used the Akishima side’s goal post.

After the resumption, Akishima SG had two goal kicks, one in the 18th minute of the second half for a try taken on a broken goal post, and the other in the 43rd minute near the end of the match, both of which were kicked toward the Akishima goal posts and were successful. China RR beat Akishima SG 36-24 in the match.

SA Hiroshima (Mazda) – Kyushu KV (Kyushu Electric Power) is scheduled for January 22 at the same Balcom BMW Stadium. Kyushu KV will be playing away from home and will be led by WTB Akihito Yamada, a member of Japan’s 2015 Rugby World Cup squad that scored a historic victory over South Africa. Yamada also watched the “footage of the collapse” in preparation for the match on March 22.

I was surprised. I’ve been playing rugby for more than 30 years since I was five years old, but this is the first time I’ve seen a goal post break. I was glad to see that no one seemed to be injured. Normally I don’t worry too much about where to try, but I might hesitate to go for a try near the middle (of the area where the goalposts are set up) (laughs).

League One will have a new post for the game on the 22nd, and the game will likely be held as scheduled.