Japan Rugby League One: Play-Offs Confirmed as Steelers snap Spears' 26-match home win streak

Brodie Retallick’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers battled from behind to claim a statement 24-19 victory and seal top spot in the competition. Kubota looked on course to extend their dominance in western Tokyo after Springbok powerhouse Malcolm Marx opened the scoring with his fifth try of the campaign.

Haruto Kida soon stretched the lead to 14-3, but the winger’s yellow card shifted the momentum dramatically. Kobe struck once before the sin-bin period and again immediately after it, briefly taking control of the contest.

The Spears hit back through Brave Blossoms back-rower Faulua Makisi, whose 12th try of the season restored a 19-17 advantage at the break, but the hosts failed to score again in the second half. Japan international Tiennan Costley crossed shortly after returning from the sin bin to score the decisive try and send Kobe directly into the semi-finals. Kubota, meanwhile, must now navigate the longer playoff route after surrendering top spot.

Elsewhere, Saitama Wild Knights dismantled defending champions Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 45-0 in one of the most dominant displays of the season. Todd Blackadder opted to rest Richie Mo’unga, but even the All Black fly-half would have struggled to stem the tide as the Wild Knights ran riot with seven tries.

Winger Koki Takeyama bagged a brace to move onto 12 tries for the campaign, while Saitama completed a staggering season aggregate of 91-0 across their two meetings with Brave Lupus.

Tokyo Sungoliath also head into the playoffs with momentum after Cheslin Kolbe inspired a 39-22 victory over BlackRams Tokyo. The Springbok star contributed 17 points as Sungoliath completed a regular-season double over their city rivals ahead of an immediate rematch in the quarter-finals. Former Chiefs fly-half Kaleb Trask crossed twice, including the final score of the afternoon.

Shizuoka BlueRevs secured seventh place with a commanding 42-15 win over Yokohama Canon Eagles. Kwagga Smith got on the scoresheet while winger Malo Tuitama continued his electric finish to the season with another double, taking his tally to 11 tries. Departing Springbok scrum-half Faf de Klerk could do little to swing momentum after being introduced from the bench for the Eagles.

Mie Honda Heat climbed into eighth place courtesy of a 38-26 win over Toyota Verblitz, ending Steve Hansen’s reign as Toyota Director of Rugby on a disappointing note. Flying Fijians hooker Tevita Ikanivere grabbed his 10th try of the season, while Mark Telea’s second-half brace sparked a late Verblitz fightback that ultimately fell short.

At the bottom end of Division One, Urayasu D-Rocks continued their resurgence with a 29-22 victory over Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars. Israel Folau crossed for his eighth try of the season before Hikaru Tamura’s late converted score settled a thrilling encounter.

In Division Two, Wallabies fly-half Noah Lolesio starred as Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi secured back-to-back titles with a dramatic 34-27 victory over Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. Lolesio contributed 14 points in a match that ended Kintetsu’s season and confirmed the Shuttles’ return to the promotion/relegation battle.

Saitama Wild Knights 45-0 Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 0

Shizuoka BlueRevs 42-15 Yokohama Canon Eagles 15

Mie Honda Heat 38 - 26 Toyota Verblitz

Kobelco Kobe Steelers 24 - 19 Kubota Spears

Tokyo Sungoliath 39 - 22 BlackRams Tokyo

Urayasu D-Rocks 29 - 22 Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars

QUARTER-FINALS (23/24 MAY)