Black Rams Tokyo’s Japan-qualified full-back Isaac Lucas has spoken of his desire to play Test rugby as his club closes in on achieving their best League One finish.
The 27-year-old Brisbane native has been an ever-present for Tabai Matson’s high-flying side who are currently fifth in the table and are on the verge of clinching a top six play-off berth spot for the first time.
Lucas played the full 80 minutes in their 37-33 triumph over play-off rivals Shizuoka Blue Revs in Komazawa on Saturday, their fourth consecutive win.
The former u20s international, who arrived in Japan during the COVID pandemic in 2021, has established himself as one of the league’s most creative players and is now looking to take the next step in his career.
“A goal of mine is to play international footy,” Lucas told RugbyJP.com.
“I’d love to get that opportunity but for now my focus is on the Black Rams and building something here.”
Lucas, who qualifies for Japan on residency grounds, was not named in Japan’s first squad of 2026, a 55-man group who will meet in June ahead of the start of the inaugural Nations Championship in July.
The blonde livewire hopes his teammates’ efforts will be rewarded with opportunities to play on the international stage.
“If players here at the Rams keep playing consistent footy then hopefully they’ll get recognised and we can get more boys in the squad.”
The Australia-born playmaker, who is third in the individual rankings for metres gained (752m) behind only Kubota Spears’ Shaun Stevenson (785m) and Suntory Sungoliath’s Cheslin Kolbe (864m), targeted ‘play-off footy’ when he signed with the ambitious Ricoh-run club.
Tamagawa-based Black Rams, who survived a two-leg relegation play-off against division two side Toyota Shuttles in 2024, narrowly missed the play-off’s last season in former Crusaders centre Matson’s first season in charge.
Lucas and his colleagues such as ex-All Blacks star and 2015 World Cup winner TJ Perenara – who captains the team – and Japan star Amato Fakatava, leading points scorer Ichigo Nakakusu and vastly-experienced player-coach and ex-Australia international Paddy Ryan have helped to lead their play-off push this term.
“It’s really exciting, to be consistent this year has been the most pleasing thing, I think the belief in the group is really there.
“In years gone by we’ve been up and down (in the table), we want to be consistent and this is the first time we’ve had four wins in a row in a number of years.”
Lucas reflected on a hard-fought, last-gasp win over Shizuoka who were missing their inspirational captain Kwagga Smith due to family reasons.
“The match had everything, they have big power runners through the middle and then when you get it to the edge they have the likes of Semi (Radarada) and Malo (Tuitama). We got caught a bit in playing their game – that offload, frantic game, but I’m really proud of ours boys’ efforts to stay in it and win.”
Talismanic captain Perenara, who superbly drives the team, crossed in the 79th minute for a dramatic win to maintain their impressive form at a crucial stage of the season.
The Rams will travel to Kumagaya in round 12 on Saturday to face the inaugural League One winners Saitama Wild Knights who are currently second with 10 wins from 11 games.
“It never gets easier,” Lucas told RugbyJP with a smile.
“Next, we’ve got Panasonic in Saitama so that’ll be a good challenge for us to see where we’re at.”