Japan Rugby League One: Aaron Smith's Toyota Verblitz keep play-off hopes alive

The one side still refusing to go quietly are Toyota Verblitz, who kept their finals hopes alive with a 40-28 win over BlackRams Tokyo. Steve Hansen’s men struck at key moments, punishing a second-half yellow card to Yuta Kurihara as they turned a tight contest into a statement victory. Mark Telea opened the scoring for Verblitz, while TJ Perenara responded for the BlackRams to leave things level at 14-14 at half-time.

Isaac Lucas briefly edged BlackRams ahead after the restart, but discipline proved costly, with Verblitz capitalising through Taichi Takahashi and a late winner from Hamdahn Tuipulotu to seal a vital bonus-point success.

The result leaves Verblitz just two points behind Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, who were stunned 50-26 by Yokohama Canon Eagles in one of the weekend’s standout results.

At the top, Saitama Wild Knights remain dominant after a 57-19 demolition of Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars, while Kobelco Kobe Steelers continue to set the pace behind them following a 49-28 win over Tokyo Sungoliath.

Kubota Spears also stayed firmly in the title hunt with a 54-21 victory over Mie Honda Heat, powered by a brace from Malcolm Marx. Elsewhere, Shizuoka BlueRevs strengthened their mid-table position with a 49-26 win over Urayasu D-Rocks, who now head for the relegation series.

With just two rounds remaining, the top six remains unchanged—but the pressure is mounting fast beneath them.

Shizuoka BlueRevs 49 - 26 Urayasu D-Rocks

Saitama Wild Knights 57 - 19 Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars

Yokohama Canon Eagles 50-26 Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo

Kobelco Kobe Steelers 49-28 Tokyo Sungoliath

Kubota Spears 54-21 Mie Honda Heat

Toyota Verblitz 40-28 BlackRams Tokyo