Ex-All Black TJ Perenara is on the verge of making history

TJ Perenara would have it no other way.

The feisty All Black scrum-half loves a ‘scrap’ and he will certainly get that when he takes his BlackRams Tokyo outfit to Kumagaya Rugby Stadium in Saturday’s action from Japan Rugby League One.

While the Saitama Wild Knights will be feeling back ‘in the groove’ after last weekend’s dramatic 32-30 win over the previously top-ranked Kubota Spears, the Perenara-captained BlackRams have won their last four and ran the Wild Knights close in a 13-6 defeat last month.

Saitama have scored 53 tries, but just one of those was against the BlackRams, who failed to concede again after hooker Atsushi Sakate’s sixth-minute score.

Although that victory extended the Wild Knights’ record against the BlackRams to 21 wins from the last 22, last year was close too, with Perenara scoring two tries to help his side earn a deserved bonus point from a 27-21 defeat.

After showing promise last term, fifth-placed BlackRams are odds on for a maiden appearance in the League One play-offs, having continued their improvement under Tabai Matson.

Fixture

Japan Rugby League One

Kobelco Kobe Steelers

29 - 38

Full-time

Yokohama Canon Eagles

All Stats and Data

Prior to the ex-Canterbury, Crusaders, Bath and Harlequins coaches’ arrival, the club had won just 13 of 48 regular season matches in League One and had narrowly preserved their Division One status in the relegation series two seasons ago.

Last Saturday’s comeback 37-33 win over Shizuoka BlueRevs, which Perenara sealed with a late try, was evidence of how far they have come, being their 13th win from Matson’s 29 games in charge, including seven from 11 this season.

Seventh-placed Verblitz, who have found a new lease of life, will be seeking to continue their mid-season charge, chasing a fourth win-in-a-row against the faltering BlueRevs on Sunday.

Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo feature the same day, and coach Todd Blackadder will be demanding a response against Mie Honda Heat after their humiliation in the Fuchu derby.

The champions have lost their last five; as many as they dropped in their previous 51 outings.

Derby victors Tokyo Sungoliath will be seeking revenge against Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars, who beat them two weeks ago, while struggling Urayasu D-Rocks will be bracing for a backlash from a wounded Spears outfit, for whom Malcolm Marx and Bernard Foley will come from the bench.

Round Twelve kicks off on the Shunbun no Hi (Vernal Equinox Day) tomorrow (Friday), with number one playing number 12.

While Yokohama Canon Eagles will be buoyed after edging Honda, the new table leaders Kobelco Kobe Steelers haven’t lost since opening day, and are playing at home, which makes it hard to foresee anything other than a convincing win for Dave Rennie’s men.