Japan Rugby League One: All Blacks legend Brodie Retallick scores FOUR tries for Kobe Steelers

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The All Blacks second rower crossed for an extraordinary four tries in the annual Kobe Earthquake Memorial match, while former Chiefs fly-half Bryn Gatland added a personal haul of 27 points, including two tries, to underline the Steelers’ attacking firepower. Retallick had already completed a hat-trick by half-time as Kobe surged into a commanding 34–7 lead, continuing his remarkable scoring record in Japan – now 30 tries from just 54 appearances since arriving in Kansai.

Any faint hopes of a BlackRams comeback were extinguished early in the second half when Gatland dotted down in the 14th minute, before adding his second try shortly after as Kobe powered past the half-century. Fittingly, it was Retallick who had the final say, completing his quartet two minutes from time to cap a ruthless 46-point winning margin.

Despite the emphatic result, Dave Rennie’s side remain third on the Division One standings, still behind pace-setters Kubota Spears and Saitama Wild Knights. However, the Steelers continue to keep defending champions Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo at arm’s length, sitting one point clear of last season’s winners.

Kubota and Saitama maintained their stranglehold at the top, both recording 29-point victories to remain separated only by points differential. The Spears extended their unbeaten home record at Spears Edoriku Field to 22 matches with a 39–10 win over Toyota Verblitz, although Frans Ludeke’s men once again eased off late on, conceding the final two tries after racing to a 39–0 lead.

Toyota’s struggles deepened, with former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen’s side now on a four-match losing run in which they have conceded 160 points.

Earlier in the round, the Wild Knights inflicted a fifth defeat of the season on Yokohama Canon Eagles, pulling clear late on after the hosts had threatened to make it competitive. Two tries from Brave Blossoms hooker Atsushi Sakate – who now shares the Division One try-scoring lead with Retallick on seven – led the way, while Jack Cornelsen and Koki Takeyama also claimed doubles. Springbok centre Damien de Allende scored his first try of the campaign in just his second appearance, as Yokohama’s winless streak stretched to a club-record nine matches.

Tokyo Sungoliath returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 30–15 victory over fellow strugglers Mie Honda Heat. The sides were locked at 15–15 entering the final quarter, but a red card to Heat lock Mark Abbott proved decisive, with Kotaro Matsushima sealing the result in the final minute.

Fifth-placed Sungoliath now sit just one point above Urayasu D-Rocks, who slipped to a second straight defeat despite a spirited showing in a 38–27 loss to Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo. Newly signed winger Tjay Clarke continued his fine form for the champions, scoring twice for the second week running.

Shizuoka BlueRevs snapped a three-game losing streak with an entertaining 47–36 win over Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars. Two tries from Semi Radradra proved pivotal after Shizuoka overturned a half-time deficit, despite playing much of the match without Sylvian Mahuza following a first-half red card.

In Division Two, Hanazono Kintetsu Liners stayed top after surviving a dramatic fightback from RedHurricanes Osaka to win 40–35, having led 26–0 at the break. The shock of the weekend came at Wave Stadium, where Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves edged defending champions Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi 54–52 thanks to a last-gasp try in referee’s time.

Division Three saw SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTS overpower Kurita Water Gush Akishima 59–24, while off the League One field, Meiji University claimed their 14th All-Japan University Championship title with a 22–10 victory over Waseda University in front of 43,000 fans in Tokyo.

Meiji University 22–10 Waseda University

Division One
Saitama Wild Knights 50–21 Yokohama Canon Eagles
Kobelco Kobe Steelers 67–21 BlackRams Tokyo
Shizuoka BlueRevs 47–36 Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 38–27 Urayasu D-Rocks
Tokyo Sungoliath 30–15 Mie Honda Heat
Kubota Spears 39–10 Toyota Verblitz

Division Two
Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves 54–52 Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi
Hanazono Kintetsu Liners 40–35 RedHurricanes Osaka

Division Three
SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTS 59–24 Kurita Water Gush Akishima