If the Japan Rugby League One Round 8 is as unpredictable and high-scoring as the past couple of rounds, we are in for a treat this weekend in the JRLO.
If the Japan Rugby League One Round 8 is as unpredictable and high-scoring as the past couple of rounds, we are in for a treat this weekend in the JRLO.
There are fixtures in all three divisions, with the ‘Photocopy Derby’ taking place between Yokohama Canon Eagles and BlackRams Tokyo on Saturday in the top-flight, and Sunday’s match pitting fourth (Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo) against third (Kobelco Kobe Steelers).
Division 1
Saturday February 14
Yokohama Canon Eagles v BlackRams Tokyo; at Tokyo (Chichibu), 12pm
Yokohama Canon Eagles come into the so-called ‘Photocopy Derby’ against Ricoh BlackRams Tokyo on the back of their first win this season, while the visiting BlackRams narrowly lost to the division leaders last week.
There is once again a star cast of international and local talent on display. Both sides are captained by international backs - Springbok Jesse Kriel leads the hosts, while the armband for the BlackRams Tokyo is worn by All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara.
In this derby, Yokohama have only lost once since the advent of League One five years ago, but that was the last time these two sides met when the Eagles lost 27-20, playing much of the game with 14 men.
Tabai Matson’s BlackRams are currently in 7th on the log, and the Yokohama Canon Eagles are 10th - can Leon MacDonald get another win under his belt?
The BlackRams’ have markedly improved their discipline this season after being the most penalised team in the league before Matson arrived as Head Coach. Flyhalf Ichigo Nakakusu is also now second on the points ladder in the division and will punish teams with the boot.
Saitama Wild Knights v Toyota Verblitz; at Saitama, 2.30pm
It is difficult to foresee anything but a win for the table-topping Saitama Wild Knights this weekend as they face bottom-placed Toyota Verblitz in Saitama. Atsushi Kanazawa’s side will be looking for a complement of 5 points and extend their stay at the top.
The Wild Knights are without dangerous Dylan Riley for the second week, which is a concern, but they have talent throughout the squad. Captain Atsushi Sakate starts on the bench, and the odds are good he will extend his scoring run this season.
Steve Hansen’s Verblitz have lost all nine matches between the teams since rugby resumed in Japan post Covid, and have conceded 40 points or more on six occasions - so a big win is on the cards. Even with the talent of Aaron Smith at scrumhalf, Mark Talea on the wing, and led by Kazuki Himeno, it's a side that battles to get their act together.
Shizuoka BlueRevs v Kubota Spears; at Shizuoka, 2.30pm
6th-placed Shizuoka BlueRevs host second-ranked Kubota Spears in one of the more exciting games this weekend.
Shizuoka BlueRevs lost in a high-scoring 60-45 loss to Kobelco Kobe Steelers last week and face a team that put 62 points on them last season in an oddity of a match considering how good the season was for the BlueRevs
Kwagga Smith’s men will need to be on point at home as the visitors have a league-high 44 tries so far this season, and there are exciting matchups across the park. Smith will be battling his countryman and Springbok teammate Malcom Marx for rights to the ball in the rucks, which could be worth the value of a ticket alone.
Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars v Mie Honda Heat; at Kanagawa, 2.30pm
Mie Honda Heat travel to take on Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars and will be looking for a third straight win after last week’s big upset victory over the defending champions, which saw Kieran Crowley’s side climb to ninth on the table.
Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars have not played for three weeks, after their match last week at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo was blanketed in snow and called off.
The 11th-placed Dynaboars are in a slump and have just one win from their last nine outings, and they were defeated the last time they took on the Mie Honda Heat, losing in the 80th minute 37-38.
One of their stars that day was fly-half James Grayson, who scored 22 of Sagamihara’s points, and he starts on Saturday and will square up against South Africa-born Honda Heat Dawid Kellerman, who is a newly-qualified Japan player and could receive a 2026 call-up for the Brave Blossoms.
Urayasu D-Rocks v Tokyo Sungoliath; at Miyazaki, 2.35pm
Tokyo Sungoliath were denied a match last week due to the heavy snow in Tokyo, and this week travel to face Urayasu D-Rocks, who were defeated in Round 7 by Kubota Spears.
It was the third consecutive loss for the D-Rocks, but they might be able to take advantage of a side that could be rusty after a two-week break from action. The hosts can count on the international talent of Jasper Wiese, Samu Kerevi, and Israel Folau, all in the starting 15.
The visitors have talent to match that threat, as Cheslin Kolbe, Sam Cane, and Harry Hockings are all in the starting XV. Tokyo Sungoliath will want a win on the road to maintain a top-six placement.
Sunday February 15
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo v Kobelco Kobe Steelers; at Tokyo (Chichibu), 2.30pm
The only game in the Division on Sunday is another cracking prospect as fourth (Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo) hosts third (Kobelco Kobe Steelers).
Who would bet against leading try scorer and Kobe captain Brodie Rettalick dotting down again and reaching double figures in only 9 games? But their record against the defending champions last season was not a pretty one as Dave Rennie’s men lost all three encounters against the Kansai side.
Toshiba’s biggest win against Kobe was a 73-28 thrashing in the second of the regular season meetings, and in total, Brave Lupus scored 19 tries across the three matches. We don't see that happening again, but Blackadder’s men will be out for redemption after losing to the Mie Honda Heat last week.
The positive for Kobelco Kobe Steelers is that they come into the round off the back of a massive 60-45 win over Shizuoka BlueRevs.
Saturday February 14
Hanazono Kintetsu Liners v Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex; at Osaka, 12pm
Kintetsu host the Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex - the visitors lost narrowly 3-7 last week, and discipline was a big issue for them in that contest. They are 4th on the log.
The Division leaders, Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, left it late against the second-placed team last week, but did get the win and will look to extend that gap this weekend.
Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi v Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks; at Aichi, 2.30pm
Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks tasted their first defeat of the season, but it was after the hooter and against the top side in the Division.
They will be looking for points this weekend and travel to second-ranked Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, who are the Division champions from last season and who had a big win over Hino Red Dolphins the last time they played.
Wallaby Noah Lolesio starts at fly-half for Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, but former Wallaby Christian Leali'ifano has been de-registered, and James Gaskell has been registered (but doesn't feature this weekend).
Sunday February 15
SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTS v Kurita Water Gush Akishima; at Saitama, 2.30pm
Division Three leaders are SkyActivs Hiroshima, but they don't play this weekend.
Sayama Secom Rugguts will be out to close the gap on them (currently 9 points) as they host Kurita Water Gush Akishima in the Division’s one fixture this weekend. Chase Tiatia has 4 tries this season, and his side Secom Rugguts have lost just once, while theWycliff Palu-coached Kurita Water Gush Akishima have won just once from five attempts. Former England international Piers Francis is in the Kurita Water Gush squad.