Japan Rugby League One: Round One - 2025/26 Season launches with star-studded weekend
Rugby NewsThursday, 11 December 2025 at 14:04
Japan Rugby League One is back this weekend, and if there’s one man determined to prove he’s still box-office, it’s TJ Perenara. At 33, the former All Blacks scrum-half is refusing to slow down.
Last season marked his return to Japan, and under new Black Rams Tokyo head coach Tabai Matson, Perenara became the heartbeat of a side transformed from relegation battlers into genuine playoff contenders. His relentless tempo, smart sniping around the fringes and veteran game management were central to their resurgence.
The BlackRams face Tokyo Sungoliath in a blockbuster opener, the same side who edged them out for the final playoff spot last season. Black Rams stunned Sungoliath with a dramatic 33–32 win early in the campaign, ending 17 straight defeats, but were ultimately overtaken in the run-in. Perenara hasn’t forgotten, and neither have his teammates.
Saturday’s four-match slate reads like a statement of intent for the league. Kobelco Kobe Steelers host Kubota Spears in a meeting of heavyweights, featuring two former World Rugby Players of the Year: Kobe’s Ardie Savea off the bench and Kubota’s newly crowned Malcolm Marx starting. Dave Rennie and Frans Ludeke have both bolstered already stacked squads, ensuring this early-season clash feels anything but routine.
Elsewhere, Toyota Verblitz, boosted by the return of Pieter-Steph du Toit, seek revenge on Mie Honda Heat, who shocked them last season. Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars, always competitive despite their lower profile, now boast Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am among their ranks as they face Urayasu D-Rocks, now under the guidance of head coach Graham Rowntree.
Sunday features two intriguing coaching debuts: Leon MacDonald leads the Yokohama Canon Eagles against playoff breakthrough side Shizuoka BlueRevs, while Atsushi Kanazawa takes charge of the Saitama Wild Knights against reigning champions Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.
Division Two and Three also launch with several promotion contenders immediately tested, including a fly-half showdown between Manie Libbok and Christian Leali’ifano.
Japan Rugby League One – Round One Fixtures
Division One – Saturday, December 13
- BlackRams Tokyo v Tokyo Sungoliath – Tokyo (Chichibu), 1pm
- Urayasu D-Rocks v Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars – Chiba, 2.05pm
- Toyota Verblitz v Mie Honda Heat – Aichi, 2.30pm
- Kobelco Kobe Steelers v Kubota Spears – Hyogo, 5pm
Division One – Sunday, December 14
- Yokohama Canon Eagles v Shizuoka BlueRevs – Kanagawa, 2.30pm
- Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo v Saitama Wild Knights – Tokyo (Ajinomoto), 3pm
Division Two – Saturday, December 13
- Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi v Hanazono Kintetsu Liners – Aichi, 12pm
- Green Rockets Tokatsu v RedHurricanes Osaka – Chiba, 2.30pm
- Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks v Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves – Tokyo (Yumenoshima), 2.30pm
Division Two – Sunday, December 14
- Hino Red Dolphins v Kyuden Voltex – Gunma, 12pm
Division Three – Saturday, December 13
- Kurita Water Gush Akishima v Chugoku Red Regulions – Kanagawa, 12pm
- SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTS v SkyActivs Hiroshima – Tochigi, 1pm
Division Three – Sunday, December 14
- Yakult Levins Toda v Le RIRO Fukuoka – Gunma, 12pm
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