Ex-All Black captain Todd Blackadder replaced as head coach of Toshiba

Former All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder’s long reign as head coach of Toshiba Brave Lupus is over, with the 54-year-old being moved ‘upstairs’ by the Fuchu-based team.

Having been appointed in April 2019, Blackadder was one of the longest-serving head coaches in Japan’s Rugby League One, but Brave Lupus have opted to change their coaching team following a disappointing season.

Blackadder led Brave Lupus to back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025 but they fell short of completing a three-peat in 2026, exiting the competition at the quarter-final stage after an injury-disrupted campaign.

Forwards coach Joshua Syms has been promoted to the role of head coach, with Blackadder taking on a management position. The former Crusaders and Bath boss has been appointed as the club’s high performance director and advisor.

In succeeding Blackadder, Syms said: “I would like to express my gratitude to President (Masahiro) Kunda and the entire staff for appointing me as Head Coach; I am deeply aware of the gravity and responsibility of this role.

“I also wish to extend my sincere thanks and respect to my predecessor, Todd, for everything he built at this club, and I am proud to have the opportunity to build upon the foundation he established.

“I fully appreciate the team’s tradition of fostering talent, and I intend to further enrich this culture.

“As Head Coach, I view it as my mission to create an environment where every player can do their utmost to achieve success, hone their skills, and build confidence.

“We will carry on the traditions and culture established by the team while evolving them further in our quest to reclaim the championship.

“To everyone in the “ONE LUPUS” family: let us fight together and share in the joy of victory.”

Syms will have Nick Evans (attack) and Bryn Evans (forwards) working under him in a new-look coaching setup.