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Mo'unga (7'), Mori (46')
Tries
Tatekawa (71')
Mo'unga (47')
Conversions
Foley (72')
Mo'unga (21', 60')
Penalties
Foley (16', 31')
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo defended their Japan Rugby League One Division 1 title as they edged out Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay in front of more than 51,000 fans at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday, 1st June, to bring the curtain down on another season.
It was that man, Richie Mo’anga, who ran the show with a 13-point haul to be named Player of the Match in the final (his 4th consecutive POTM award) and a second title for Todd Blackadder in his professional coaching career.
The Brave Lupus tend to go back-to-back when they have won national Japanese titles and have now added the 7th star to their jerseys for the 2025/2026 season. Blackadder said, “I want to thank Kubota, as that was a heck of a final and I'm happy we could come through that.
We knew their set piece would be massive, and they are a really strong defensive team, but we had to play our style, and we did that today. Winning back-to-back shows our growth, and we've stayed in the battle every game, and this season, the JRLO Division 1 has never been more competitive.”
It was the defence that really won the game, as clichéd as that is, and the Brave Lupus achieved their win without some key players due to injuries.
The black and white hooped jerseys of Kubota saw Bernard Foley kick the game off and the first of many thunderous collisions as captain smashed captain with Michael Leitch collecting the ball at the start. There was early pressure from Kubota and high fast line speed from Brave Lupus.
A huge hit on Mo'anga by right-wing Halatoa Vailea shook the ground. Moments later, the playmaker flyhalf bounced back and scored in the corner, running the ball with both hands, keeping the defence on the back foot and to take lead in the 8th minute but he missed the conversion.
Rucks were met with counter rucks blowing through, and the opening quarter was helter-skelter rugby peppered with quality. Foley and Mo'anga exchanged penalties for an 8-3 score by the 21st minute. The Brave Lupus looked more dangerous with the ball in hand and controlled the tempo in the opening half hour in what was generally a tense final in a high-pressure environment, and nerves forced errors.
Foley added another penalty in the half, but both defences were stubborn and snuffing out attacking threats; however, at the half-time whistle, the Spears had missed far more tackles.
Following an uncharacteristic dropped ball by Malcolm Marx, the Brave Lupus scored from the ensuing scrum, the try setup by Mo'anga and finished by left wing Yuto Mori in the 48th minute for a 15-6 lead. They were slowly taking control of the game, and a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on from Vailea didn't help Kubuta’s chances.
Spears Captain Faulua Makisi battled through the game, picking up a number of knocks.
The match was almost put to bed following a globetrotter's try with hot potato passes from Thompson to Collins and inside to Mo'anga, but the TMO ruled it out as Frans Ludeke’s side tried to hang in the match. Mo'anga knocked over another penalty as the fixture entered the final quarter.
Kubota came back strong and were held up over the line from a driving maul - the defending champions had not conceded a try in more than 3 halves of knockout rugby. They were under pressure and gave away several penalties. Eventually, the pressure buckled the defence as the veteran Harumichi Tatekawa made it 18-13 with a Foley conversion and less than 7 minutes left to play.
Try as they might, and with some fortuitous calls by the match official going against them, the Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay couldn't crack the Brave Lupus line again for the game to end with Brave Lupus players embracing each other as the heavens opened.
Losing coach, Frans Ludeke, said afterwards, “Congrats to Brave Lupus - they played well all season and set the standard and were too good today. I'm proud of our boys; we had opportunities today but couldn't quite do it, and small margins made a difference.”
Winning coach, Blackadder, whose team is the first to claim two Japan Rugby League One titles, added, “Everyone in Japan can be proud, as the league was tough and high quality. We play to excite and entertain, and that's why the fans come out to watch and support.”
On Saturday, Brodie Retallick helped his Kobelco Kobe Steelers side to claim third overall with a 22-17 win over Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
Results
Saturday May 31
3rd Place - Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights 17-22 Kobelco Kobe Steelers; at Tokyo
Sunday June 1
Final - Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 18-13 Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay; at Tokyo
