Saitama Wild Knights

24 - 26

Full Time

Kubota Spears

Kubota Spears vs Saitama Wild Knights

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Takehito Namekawa has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Conversion

Takaya Saito has kicked a conversion.

78'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Saitama Wild Knights is finished off by Takaya Saito

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Takaya Saito bursts through to advance the Saitama Wild Knights attack.

78'

Spellbinding play by Shu Hagihara is finished off with a try.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Maurice Marks bursts through to advance the Saitama Wild Knights attack.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Koki Takeyama bursts through to advance the Saitama Wild Knights attack.

78'

This is dangerous for the defence as Maurice Marks bursts through to advance the Saitama Wild Knights attack.

77'

Shu Hagihara comes on.

77'

Taiki Koyama comes off.

77'

The ball swings towards the posts but floats to the right, Koki Takeyama will have to re-adjust the radar.

77'

Try

Saitama Wild Knights are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Yusaku Kihara picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

76'

Yellow Card

Merwe Olivier (Kubota Spears) is shown a yellow card

75'

Penalty Goal

Shaun Stevenson has kicked a penalty goal.

70'

A gap opened in the defence and Atsushi Oshikawa took full advantage.

69'

Saitama Wild Knights make a substitution with Ockie Barnard coming on.

68'

Saitama Wild Knights make a substitution with Esei Haangana coming off.

68'

Penalty Goal

The Kubota Spears supporters go wild as Shaun Stevenson successfully kicks the penalty goal.

68'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Bryn Hall coming on.

66'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Ippei Okada coming off.

66'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Atsushi Oshikawa coming on.

66'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Bernard Foley coming off.

66'

Bernard Foley looks to land a drop goal, but it misses sailing past the left handside of the posts.

64'

Saitama Wild Knights sub Kenji Sato comes onto the field.

61'

Atsushi Sakate departs for Saitama Wild Knights.

61'

Kubota Spears sub Merwe Olivier comes onto the field.

61'

Faulua Makisi departs for Kubota Spears.

61'

Saitama Wild Knights are being made to work for every single point as Takaya Saito has their conversion attempt charged down!

61'

Try

A stunning solo try from Maurice Marks

60'

The defensive line has been broken as Maurice Marks goes through the gap.

60'

Spellbinding play by Liam Mitchell is finished off with a try.

60'

Halatoa Vailea comes on for Kubota Spears.

57'

Yuya Hirose leaves the field.

57'

Kazuki Kato comes on for Kubota Spears.

57'

Yota Kamimori leaves the field.

57'

Opeti Helu comes on for Kubota Spears.

57'

Keijiro Tamefusa leaves the field.

57'

Yusaku Kihara comes on for Saitama Wild Knights.

56'

Craig Millar leaves the field.

56'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Bernard Foley kicks the conversion.

56'

Try

A penetrating move by Kubota Spears results in a try for Haruto Kida.

55'

That's a great try assist by Rikus Pretorius.

55'

What a run here by Rikus Pretorius as they get over the gainline!

55'

Juan Wilson comes on.

51'

Ben Gunter comes off.

51'

Lisala Finau comes on.

51'

Asaeli Ai Valu comes off.

51'

Maurice Marks comes on.

51'

Tomoki Osada comes off.

51'

Penalty Goal

Bernard Foley makes no mistake with that penalty goal attempt.

49'

Rikus Pretorius makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

46'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Pieter Labuschagne coming on.

40'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Tyler Paul coming off.

40'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Koga Nezuka coming on.

40'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Halatoa Vailea coming off.

40'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Hayate Era coming on.

40'

Kubota Spears make a substitution with Malcolm Marx coming off.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

Saitama Wild Knights make a substitution with Takaya Saito coming on.

40'

Saitama Wild Knights make a substitution with Takuya Yamasawa coming off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Conversion

Bernard Foley does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

36'

Try

Incisive passing by Kubota Spears is finished off by Halatoa Vailea, as they goes over for the try.

35'

Fabulous play by Kubota Spears has led to Halatoa Vailea being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Bernard Foley sets up the try.

35'

Halatoa Vailea comes on for Kubota Spears.

33'

Koga Nezuka leaves the field.

33'

Yellow Card

Dylan Riley (Saitama Wild Knights) is shown a yellow card

30'

Trouble here as Koga Nezuka breaches the defence.

30'

Takuya Yamasawa takes the penalty but the ball didn't come round, staying right of the posts.

26'

Conversion

Takuya Yamasawa converts the try.

17'

Try

Nobody could stop that maul! Jack Cornelsen places the ball down for the try.

16'

Penalty Goal

Shaun Stevenson kicks the penalty.

We are underway as the referee Takehito Namekawa blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Saitama Wild Knights v Kubota Spears 
  
 Semi Final 
  
 Sat 30th May 2026, 10:05pm PDT 
  
 Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 
  
 Flo Rugby 
  
 Takehito Namekawa

Points Flow Chart

Kubota Spears win +2

Time in lead

Mins in lead

24%

% Of Game In Lead

68%

94%

Possession Last 10 min

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Saito

24 - 26

78'

Saito

22 - 26

78'

Kihara

17 - 26

76'

Olivier

75'

12 - 26

Stevenson

70'

12 - 26

Stevenson

68'

12 - 23

Marks

12 - 20

60'

Foley

56'

7 - 20

Kida

55'

7 - 18

Foley

49'

7 - 13

Half Time

Foley

36'

7 - 10

Vailea

35'

7 - 8

Riley

7 - 3

30'

Yamasawa

7 - 3

17'

Cornelsen

5 - 3

16'

Stevenson

0 - 3

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.2

Entries

Attack Profile

Saitama Wild Knights

Kubota Spears

More Less

Defence Profile

Saitama Wild Knights

Kubota Spears

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

64%

51%

3-6 secs

20%

34%

6+ secs

16%

15%

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

67'

69'

74'

75'

Saitama Wild Knights

Kubota Spears

Saitama Wild Knights vs Kubota Spears Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Saitama Wild Knights face off against Kubota Spears in Japan Rugby League One Semi Final on Sat 30th May 2026 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 06:05. In South Africa it’s at 07:05 SAST, 17:05 NZST in New Zealand, 15:05 AEST in Australia and 22:05 EST on Flo Rugby in the US.

Kubota Spears won the last encounter but both teams are in the same form for their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 1 place in the league table with Kubota Spears in 1st and Saitama Wild Knights in 2nd underlining just how tight this match could be.

Saitama Wild Knights vs Kubota Spears Squads

The official squads for Saitama Wild Knights vs Kubota Spears will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.