Japan Rugby League One: Champions Brave Lupus face in-form Shizuoka BlueRevs in Round 2

Friday, 19 December 2025 at 15:45

byTom Sansom

After conceding 46 unanswered points on the opening weekend, defending Japan Rugby League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo face a daunting response task on Sunday when they host Kwagga Smith’s in-form Shizuoka BlueRevs.

Few sides finished last season with greater momentum than the BlueRevs, whose remarkable run to fourth place included back-to-back wins over Brave Lupus and a combined 90 points scored against the Tokyo giants. That confidence carried into Round One, where Shizuoka fought back to claim their first away win over Yokohama Canon Eagles since 2018.

Their backline continues to fire, with winger Malo Tuitama crossing twice alongside new signing Semi Radradra and South African centre Sylvain Mahusa. While Smith’s try tally dipped last season, the Springbok’s influence at the breakdown remains central to their attacking success. His duel over the ball with Brave Lupus’ forwards could prove decisive, particularly with All Black back-rower Shannon Frizell absent.

Elsewhere, Urayasu D-Rocks head to Saitama Wild Knights buoyed by a gritty opening win over Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars. Israel Folau returns after missing Round One, while Jasper Wiese adds power from the bench as Graham Rowntree’s side attempt a rare victory in Kumagaya. The Wild Knights were the standout performers last weekend, demolishing Brave Lupus 46-0, with fly-half Takuya Yamasawa contributing 26 points in a reminder of his class.

The Kanagawa derby also headlines Sunday, with Dynaboars and Yokohama Canon Eagles both eager to respond after narrow defeats. Faf de Klerk will miss out for the Eagles after exiting early last week.

Saturday’s fixtures see Toyota Verblitz meet Tokyo Sungoliath, while Kubota Spears host BlackRams Tokyo after overcoming a red card in their opening-round win at Kobe.

Japan Rugby League One – Round Two Schedule

(All kick-offs listed in Japan Time with UK time in brackets)

Division One

Saturday December 20

Kubota Spears v BlackRams Tokyo; at Chiba, 2.30pm JT (5.30am UK)
Tokyo Sungoliath v Toyota Verblitz; at Tokyo (Ajinomoto), 2.30pm JT (5.30am UK)

Sunday December 21

Mie Honda Heat v Kobelco Kobe Steelers; at Mie, 12.25pm JT (3.25am UK)
Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars v Yokohama Canon Eagles; at Kanagawa, 1.40pm JT (4.40am UK)
Saitama Wild Knights v Urayasu D-Rocks; at Saitama, 2.30pm JT (5.30am UK)
Shizuoka BlueRevs v Toshiba Brave Lupus; at Shizuoka, 2.30pm JT (5.30am UK)

Division Two

Saturday December 20

Hanazono Kintetsu Liners v Green Rockets Tokatsu; at Osaka (Hanazono), 2.30pm JT (5.30am UK)
Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex v Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks; at Fukuoka, 2.30pm JT (5.30am UK)

Sunday December 21

Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves v Hino Red Dolphins; at Iwate, 1.05pm JT (4.05am UK)
RedHurricanes Osaka v Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi; at Osaka (Yanmar), 2.30pm JT (5.30am UK)

Division Three

Sunday December 21

SkyActivs Hiroshima v Kurita Water Gush Akishima; at Yamaguchi, 12pm JT (3.00am UK)
Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions v Yakult Levins Toda; at Hiroshima, 12pm JT (3.00am UK)
Le RIRO Fukuoka v SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTS; at Fukuoka, 1pm JT (4.00am UK)