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Six Nations statement: Tom Curry 'Tunnelgate' incident
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One time underdogs Kubota Spears now bossing their old bullies
It took 15 attempts before Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay finally beat Tokyo Sungoliath, with their historic 31-18 win two years ago, the first leg of what became a three-match wipeout of their previously invincible western Tokyo rivals.
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This included a 24-18 victory in the 2022-23 semi-finals, as the Frans Ludeke-coached outfit swept to a maiden national title in the second edition of Japan Rugby League One.
The Spears have continued to boss Suntory in the time since.
When flyhalf Mikiya Takamoto missed an 80th minute conversion as he tried to win a thrilling clash between the sides in January – which instead finished 26-26 – it meant Sungoliath had only once beaten their former ‘bunnies’ in the last six meetings.
The two-time Super Rugby-winning Bulls coaches’ charges stand poised to do damage to their city neighbours again.
Firmly ensconced in third, but with a place in the top two and its’ accompanying first round bye in the playoffs still a possibility, the Spears have much to gain if they can continue their recent dominance when the teams meet in a key match of Japan Rugby League One on Sunday.
The stakes are even higher for Suntory.
While first time head coach Kosei Ono’s side have fought their way back into semi-final reckoning after starting the season poorly, their margin for error is slim.
Although they climbed into the top six for the first time after belting Mie Honda Heat 60-31 last time out, Suntory still have Kubota and second-placed Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights to go before the regular-season ends.
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Yokohama Canon Eagles are only one point below them on the standings, while each of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars – who the Eagles play on Saturday – and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, still retain an outside hope of making it.
The round opens tomorrow night when Heat chase a major upset against the Wild Knights, before the fourth-placed Blue Revs, who will be without talisman Kwagga Smith, test their ‘mettle’ against the rampant Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo on Saturday.
While the defending champions put 73 points past Kobelco Kobe Steelers, they won’t need reminding that the Blue Revs took them down 34-28 in January, which was their only defeat in the last 23 matches.
Kobe will have All Black second-rower Brodie Retallick back after a two-game absence, as they look to show they bear no psychological scars from last weekend’s mauling when they play Urayasu D-Rocks.
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Urayasu have been rocked by the news that Springbok backrower Jasper Wiese is out for the rest of their campaign.
Toyota Verblitz will be hoping to ease their relegation fears, while eliminating the Black Rams from playoff contention, when the pair meet at Chiba on Sunday.
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