Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo are on the verge of securing a spot in the semi-finals of Japan Rugby League One as they prepare to face Kobelco Kobe Steelers in a crucial match to conclude round 13.
The upcoming clash in Tokyo on Sunday afternoon could see Brave Lupus qualify for the playoffs for the second time in three seasons while also hampering Kobe’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages.
Under Todd Blackadder’s leadership, Brave Lupus have only suffered one defeat in 12 matches, a 36-24 loss to the undefeated Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. This defeat might foreshadow a potential showdown in the grand final next month.
Blackadder, who famously guided the Crusaders during a challenging Super Rugby season in 2011 after the Christchurch earthquake, has revitalized Brave Lupus since joining from Bath in 2019. Under his tenure, the team has achieved 44 wins out of 64 matches (69%) and reached their first semi-final since 2015.
In recent seasons, Brave Lupus has dominated Kobe, securing victories in their last four encounters, including a notable 46-39 win on Christmas Eve highlighted by four tries from Shannon Frizell, an All Black recruit known for his newfound scoring prowess in Brave Lupus colors.
The impact of overseas stars like Frizell and All Black flyhalf Richie Mo’unga has been instrumental for Brave Lupus. Mo’unga leads the league in try assists and has contributed significantly with 126 points, including 16 in their earlier win against Kobe.
Following a recent defeat to Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers are now under pressure to secure a semi-final spot, facing potential elimination if they fall behind nine points behind Yokohama Canon Eagles with three matches remaining.
The upcoming weekend features crucial matches as teams like the Eagles and Sungoliath aim to solidify their playoff berths, while others like Shizuoka Blue Revs and Toyota Verblitz strive to keep their slim semi-final hopes alive.
Leave a Reply