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.

Munakata Sanix Blues
宗像サニックスブルース
Full nameMunakata Sanix Blues
UnionJapan Rugby Football Union
Nickname(s)Blues
Founded1994
Disbanded2022
LocationMunakata, Fukuoka, Japan
Ground(s)Various stadiums
League(s)Japan Rugby League One, Division Three
20223rd
1st kit
2nd kit

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

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Sanix v Kyuden at Global Arena, Top League Round 11, January 20, 2008.

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

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Home ground

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  • 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

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  • 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

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References

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  1. ^ "Rugby: Sanix Blues suspending operations due to business struggles". Kyodo News. 30 March 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  2. ^ "The Team". Munakata Sanix Blues. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
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