Brodie Retallick’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers became the first team to prevail at Edoriku Field in 26 matches as his side came from behind to beat Kubota Spears 24-19, sealing top spot for the regular season of Japan Rugby League One in the process.
A tight first half saw the Spears outscore their visitors three-tries-to-two, with World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx opening the scoring for Kubota with his fifth try of the season.
Haruto Kida extended the lead to 14-3 when he scored his team’s second try, but the winger was subsequently yellow carded which swung the momentum as Kobe scored a try shortly before his departure, and one immediately after it to gain the advantage for the first time.
Their lead lasted just two minutes before Kubota’s Brave Blossoms back-rower Faulua Makisi crossed for his 12th try of the campaign to allow the Spears to head to the sheds leading 19-17.
That was as good as it got for the home side, with Kobe’s Japanese international Tiennan Costley providing the only try of the second half six minutes after the New Zealand-born back-rower had returned from the sin bin.
The win has given Kobe direct entry to the semi-finals, while Kubota must repeat last season’s feat when they won each of a quarter and semi-final to make the tournament decider.
Richie Mo’unga-less Toshiba Brave Lupus nilled
The Spears were not the only side to be held scoreless in a half of rugby during the round with Toshiba Brave Lupus – who Kubota will play in the quarter-final – unable to score at all in their loss to Saitama Wild Knights.
After putting 46 points on the defending champions without reply on opening day, the Wild Knights took Brave Lupus to the cleaners again yesterday, this time stopping at 45 as they bounced back from last week’s upset loss to Urayasu D-Rocks.
Having confirmed their spot in the play-offs with a week to spare, Brave Lupus coach Todd Blackadder opted not to bring fly-half Richie Mo’unga with him to Kumagaya, and the All Black star was probably happy he had been able to give it a miss, as his teammates were overwhelmed by a four-try first half blitz that left Toshiba down, and almost out, trailing 26-0.
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The one-way traffic continued after the break, with centre Tomoki Osada and winger Koki Takeyama scoring twice.
Takeyama’s double took his try tally for the campaign to 12 and equal fourth on the individual rankings, after he had topped the pile last term with 15.
Saitama finished the afternoon with seven tries, which took their tally across the two matches with the back-to-back title winners to 11 tries and 91 points without concession.