Month: April 2025

 (Written by Azul: April 27, 2025)

Japan Rugby League One enters its 15th round this week, with only 4 more rounds to go. The League One Division 1 standings as of 4/11 are as follows

2024-25	League One Order(Division 1) 4/11
ranking	team	Win	Lose	Even	WP	SD
1	Saitama Panasonic Wildnights	12	2	1	60	241
2	TOSHIBA Brave Lupas TOKYO	12	1	1	56	211
3	Kubota Spears	11	2	1	53	183
4	Shizuoka Blue Revs	10	4	0	45	56
5	KOBELCO Kobe Steelers	7	7	0	37	82
6	Tokyo SUNTORY Sungoliath	6	6	2	31	11
7	Yokohama CANON Eagles	6	8	0	30	11
8	Sagamihara Dynaboars	5	9	0	22	-171
9	Black Rams Tokyo	4	10	0	22	-77
10	Toyota Verblitz	3	10	1	20	-110
11	Mie Honda Heat	4	11	0	18	-222
12	Urayasu　D-Rocks	2	12	0	10	-215
	WP=Winning Point
	SD=Score Difference

The top 3 teams are already confirmed to advance to the playoffs. The fierce competition for the remaining 3 slots in the playoffs continues every week.

The match I visited Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Minato-ku, Tokyo on this day (April 11) to watch was between the 2nd-place Brave Lupas and the 4th-place Blue Revs.

As for the conditions on the day of the match, the temperature was 21 degrees Celsius and the weather was clear, making it a pleasant day to watch the game.

A large number of fans visited the stadium, with a total of 10,097 in attendance that day.

Let me introduce the two teams playing on the day.

First, an update on the home team, TOSHIBA Brave Lupas.

Brave Lupas, winners of last season’s League One, are currently in second place with 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. The only team with a loss is the SHIZUOKA Blue Revs, who will be playing on this day. Considering the playoffs to be held next month, the team would like to avoid back-to-back losses to the same opponent. The team’s slogan is “Contact Point Warriors,” so Brave Lupas will need to have a strong mindset of not taking a step back when it comes to contact. I hope that the team will be able to show a performance that will satisfy the fans in attendance at the game.

The starting lineup for this day’s match was as follows

TOSHIBA Brave Lupas
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Sena KIMURA	175cm	105kg	24
2	Mamoru　HARADA	175cm	101kg	25	Japan 10caps
3	Taufa LATU	183cm	120kg	26
4	Jacob　PIERCE	201cm	106kg	27
5	Warner　DEARNS	202cm	124kg	23	Japan 20caps
6	Shannon FRIZELL	195cm	114kg	30	New Zealand 33caps
7	Takeshi SASAKI	180cm	101kg	26
8	Michael LEITCH	189cm	113kg	35	Japan 87caps
9	Yuhei Sugiyama	169cm	76kg	27
10	Richie MO’UNGA	176cm	83kg	30	New Zealand  56caps
11	Yuto MORI	174cm	82kg	26
12	Rob THOMPSON	184cm	103kg	33
13	Seta TAMANIVAL	189cm	104kg	33	New Zealand  3caps, Fiji 3 caps
14	Jone NAIKABULA	177cm	95kg	31	Japan 17caps
15	Takuro MATSUNAGA	172cm	82kg	26	Japan 4caps

** Player to watch  **.

Jone NAIKABULA. 177 cm, 95 kg, 31 years old, from Fiji. Until he was selected for Japan’s national team, he was just a fast player if you let him run free and straight. However, after participating in the RWC 2023, he has acquired various skills as a WTB, and can make steady gains even when he receives the ball close to a tight group. Furthermore, he has developed into a decisive player who can almost always score a try when he receives the ball near the enemy 22-meter line. On the other hand, young players aiming for the national team will have to overcome NAIKABULA in order to win a regular spot in the national team, so they face a very high hurdle.

Next, I would like to introduce the Visitor Team of the day, the SHIZUOKA Blue Revs.

Blue Revs, as an impression, is a competent mid-tier team, and until last season, they have always delighted their supporters by playing close matches with the top teams. Starting this season, they are one of the teams most affected by the relaxed application of Category A players due to rule changes. The team has many talented foreign players with excellent contact skills, and their increased opportunities to play have ensured the team’s first appearance in the playoffs this season. As of now, the team is in 4th place with a record of 10 wins and 4 losses. As for the top 3 teams, the Blue Revs are the team they do not want to match up from the first round.

The starting lineup for this day’s match was as follows.

Shizuoka Blue Revs
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Kazuhiro KAWATA	172cm	103kg	28
2	Takeshi HINO	172cm	100kg	35	Japan 5caps
3	Sean VETE	190cm	146kg	24
4	Justin SANGUSTER	198cm	115kg	28
5	Murray DOUGLAS	198cm	113kg	35
6	Vueti TUPOU	190cm	121kg	25
7	Yuya Odo	187cm	100kg	35	Japan 5caps
8	Malgene ILAUA	187cm	108kg	31	Japan 7cap
9	Shuntaro KITAMUA	168cm	77kg	22
10	Sam GREENE	178cm	85kg	30
11	Malo TUITAMA	182cm	91kg	27
12	Viliami TAHITUA	183cm	111kg	33	Tonga 9caps
13	Charles PIUTAU	186cm	95kg	32	NZ17caps, Tonga 9cap
14	Valynce TEWHARE	182cm	112kg	24
15	Kakeru OKUMURA	180cm	85kg	26

** Player to watch **

Sam GREENE. 178 cm, 85 kg, 30 years old. He is from Australia. He has been playing almost as a starter this season as an official Category A player. GREENE’s play is a good example of what a good SO is like. He is true to the basics, make almost no mistakes, and hold the ball until the very last second before passing when pressed by the opposing defense, causing the opposing defense, as a whole, to shift their marks. As a result, the Blue Revs BK players, who have the ability to break through, are able to move easily, and the Blue Revs players are able to make line breaks in the early phases of successive attacks. We look forward to a breakthrough season for the Blue Revs this season with all the talents they have.

Let’s get the first half underway, with the Blue Revs kicking off to start the match. The kicker is SO GREENE of the Revs.

9 minutes into the first half:

As this was a matchup of top-ranked teams, both teams displayed a high level of play from the beginning of the match. Both teams were aggressive from their own positions and used the ground widely.

The Blue Revs entered the enemy camp, and from the left side of the field, the Revs’ CTB TAHITUA kicked a precise pass from the center of the field near the 10-meter line, which was caught by WTB TUITAMA. TUITAMA then ran across the touchline on the right side of the field and scored a try right in the middle of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 0-7 in favor of the Blue Revs.

12 minutes into the first half:

The Blue Revs attacked deep into the enemy territory, with the BK players and the FW third row working well together and showing excellent body balance.

From a lineout near the 22m line on the right side of the enemy line, the Blue Revs secured the ball and moved to the left.

Blue Revs’ No.8 ILAUA received the ball and broke the enemy defenders with a single shot, scoring a try right under the goal posts.

The Blue Revs then scored another successful conversion goal after the try to make the score 0-14.

14 minutes into the first half:

Brave Lupas, who had taken the lead, counter-attacked aggressively from their own territory and broke into the enemy territory. From this point on, Brave Lupas was aggressive for a while.

As the goalposts approached, Brave Lupas’ CTB TAMANIVAL scored a try in the left corner of the goalposts in the enemy in-goal.

However, just before the try was scored, a Brave Lupas player was penalized for a knock-forward foul, which led to a TMO video decision.

After the decision, Brave Lupas was found to have committed an infringement and the try was disallowed.

19 minutes into the first half:

After Brave Lupas’ try was disallowed, the game resumed with a Blue Revs scrum. The Blue Revs, in a series of attacks, made their advance and deployed to the left.

Here, the Blue Revs BKs made a brilliant attack: SO GREENE passed the ball to CTB TAMANIVAL, but the Breve Lupas defenders were closing in on them at once, so TAMANIVAAL quickly switched to a tap pass, and FB OKUMURA received the ball. OKUMURA succeeded in breaking the line and scored a try in the left center of the enemy’s in-goal.

A conversion goal after the try was unsuccessful, but the Blue Revs scored 3 tries in a row in the first half to pull the score to 0-19 in favor of the previous year’s champion, Brave Lupas.

32 minutes into the first half:

Brave Lupas pushed deep into enemy territory and had several chances to score tries.

Each time, however, the Blue Revs showed their ability to compete in a tight battle and make a turnover. The Blue Revs then took the ball deep in their own territory and played it right to Blue Revs CTB PIUTAU, who kicked it wide and forward. The ball bounced over the enemy 22-meter line and then came off the line, so the 50-22 rule was applied, and the Blue Revs advanced nearly 50 meters at a stretch, with a chance for a lineout in front of the enemy in-goal.

The Blue Revs secured the ball from the lineout and attacked on the flanks, and finally, lock SANGUSTER scored a try in the middle left of the enemy in-goal.

The Blue Revs took control of the match with the score 0-26.

The first half ended with this score, and last season’s champion Brave Lupas had a humiliating first half with no points.

At halftime of the second half, Lupas-kun, the mascot of the home team of the day, Btave Lupas Tokyo, appeared at the stadium and made a round of the stadium.

Looking back on the first half of the day, the Blue Revs’ strengths were evident throughout. The strength of their set pieces, the power of their individual players when they made contact, and their fluid coordinated play as a team. In contrast, Brave Lupas, the previous year’s champions, occasionally showed some coordination that thrilled the crowd, but were completely cut off by the Revs on this day. Later on, could Brave Lupas really stop the Revs’ momentum?

Brave Lupas kicked off the second half.

4 minutes into the second half;

In the first half, Brave Lupas had been conspicuous by the number of minor infringements, but in the dense second half, it was the Blue Revs who committed the Not Release the ball infringement. This infringement by the opponents allowed Brave Lupas to opt for a penalty kick, giving the Blue Revs the chance to take the ball out of the lineout deep on the enemy’s right flank. Brave Lupas won the ball, and after a maul, they advanced to the enemy goal line.

The maul collapsed just before the enemy try line, resulting in a tight battle that Brave Lupas won and scored for the first time in the match.

The try was scored by the lock, Dearns. The conversion goal after the try was missed, making the score 5-26.

11 minutes into the second half;

Brave Lupas scored the first try of the second half and were looking to get themselves back in the game. However, a series of minor mistakes by Brave Lupas once again allowed the Blue Revs to take control of the match. From around the halfway mark, the Blue Revs got a breakaway from WTB TUITAMA and quickly approached the enemy try line.

At this point, TUITAMA broke his leg, but the Blue Revs were able to hold on.

Here, TUITAMA injured his leg, but Blue Revs kept their own ball and Brave Lupas committed a foul at this point. Here, since it was an inexpensive position to aim for, directly in front of the goal post, the Blue Revs opted for a PG, which SO GREENE scored to make the score 5-29.

14 minutes into the second half;

From the restart kickoff after the try, Brave Lupas attacked in succession in enemy territory, but Blue Revs lock SANGUSTER intercepted the ball and the Blue Revs took the opportunity to push into the enemy 22 meters.

In this position, Brave Lupas again committed an infringement, and the Blue Revs again opted for the PG, which SO GREENE converted to make the score 5-32 and extend the Blue Revs’ lead to 27 points.

17 minutes into the second half;

From the kickoff after the PG restart, Brave Lupas launched and deployed a series of attacks in enemy territory, but could not quite get over the gain line. The Blue Revs recovered the ball and passed it to WTB TEWHARE, who drove deep into the enemy territory, beating the defenders one after the other.

Brave Lupas finally stopped TEWHARE, but the ball was passed to SH KITAMURA of the Blue Revs who followed up and KITAMURA scored a try in the left center of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 5-39.

20 minutes into the second half;

Brave Lupas made 4 substitutions at once in the second half, probably because of the heat. With the substitutions, Brave Lupas attack was revitalized, and the ball was spread from the left side to the right side, and finally WTB NAIKABURA scored a try right in the middle of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 12-39.

26 minutes into the second half;

With the score now so wide open, Brave Lupas had no choice but to attack from their own territory, but the Blue Revs’ defensive wall was thick this day, and they showed their strength when it came to a tight battle.

The Blue Revs kept the game in their own half and kept pushing forward toward the try line. The Blue Revs lock DOUGLAS scored the final try right in the middle of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 12-46.

29 minutes into the second half;

With time running out, the Brave Lupas players were beginning to show signs of fatigue. The Blue Revs FB OKUMURA intercepted the ball in his own territory and ran more than 70 meters to score a try at the left corner of the goal post in the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try failed, but the score was finally 12-51.

32 minutes into the second half;

The Blue Revs attack became bolder and bolder, and the Brave Lupas defenders began to slow down.

Again, the Blue Revs were deep in enemy territory, and when they ventured out, the Brave Lupas were unable to follow up, and finally Blue Revs SO GREENE scored a try in the right corner of the enemy in-goal.

After the try, the conversion goal failed and the score was 12-56.

34 minutes into the second half;

Despite such a large margin in the match, Brave Lupas did not want to make things difficult for themselves, as both teams will have the opportunity to play each other in the playoffs after this match. With only a few minutes remaining, Brave Lupas’ captain, FL LEITCH, stretched out and ran around to connect with the ball. When the ball was passed to the right side of the field, he turned and scored a try in the right corner of the in-goal.

This match was LEITCH’s 150th memorial official match.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 19-56.

40 minutes into the second half;

Brave Lupas had once attacked into the enemy territory, but the ball was lost in a tight group, and was kicked deep into their own territory. Brave Lupas was able to get the ball deep into their own half, but the players who had been running on their backs from that point on, put their last bit of energy into it and worked hard to connect with the ball.

Brave Lupas, with almost their entire team participating in this attack, quickly approached the enemy try line, and finally, lock DEARNS passed to CTB THOMPSON, who scored a try right under the enemy goal post.

The stadium erupted in cheers for this great all-around attack, the biggest cheer of the day. The conversion goal after the try was also successful, and the score was 26-56.

Both teams fought hard on this day, but with the playoffs starting on May 17 and ending on June 1, they will be looking to move up as high as possible in the standings, so the remaining 3 rounds of matches will continue to be a tight affair. Rugby fans will be looking forward to these exciting matches, and will be cheering for the teams with great enthusiasm.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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 (Written by Azul: April 5, 2025)

The Japan Rugby League One, Section 12 match: SUNTORY Sungoliath vs KOBE Steelers was held at Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground in Minato-ku, Tokyo on March 23 (Sun.) The League One standings as of March 22 are as follows.

2024-25	League One Order(Division 1) 3/22
ranking	team	Win	Lose	Even	WP	SD
1	TOSHIBA Brave Lupas TOKYO	10	1	1	46	128
2	Saitama Panasonic Wildnights	9	2	1	45	155
3	Kubota Spears	9	2	1	43	127
4	Shizuoka Blue Revs	9	3	0	39	31
5	KOBELCO Kobe Steelers	5	6	0	29	122
6	Yokohama CANON Eagles	5	7	0	26	12
7	Sagamihara Dynaboars	5	7	0	22	-113
8	Black Rams Tokyo	4	8	0	21	-46
9	Tokyo SUNTORY Sungoliath	4	5	2	21	-21
10	Mie Honda Heat	4	8	0	18	-135
11	Toyota Verblitz	2	9	1	15	-84
12	Urayasu　D-Rocks	2	10	0	10	-176
	WP=Winning Point
	SD=Score Difference

Sungoliath’s ranking prior to the day’s match was 9th, compared to Steelers’ ranking of 5th.

The temperature was 23 degrees Celsius, and the weather was clear, making the conditions as warm as mid-May, which was expected to be tough and physically demanding on the players in the second half of the match.

The attendance on the day was 9,663.

In the Top League era, this match would have been a golden card, and I remember the Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground being filled to capacity. I feel that Sungoliath’s poor performance this season has affected this crowd.

Let me introduce the two teams that will play on this day.

First, here is the latest information on the home team, SUNTORY Sungoliath.

As of March 22, their record in League One is 4 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws, and 21 winning points, placing them 9th in the overall standings. Although Sungoliath has been a strong team that is always a favorite to win the championship every season, we believe that the reason for their low ranking this season is not that Sungoliath has become weaker, but rather that other teams have become stronger.

As a contributing factor, please see the list of today’s starting members.

Suntory Sungoliath
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Kenta KOBAYASHI	181cm	115kg	25
2	Kosuke Horikoshi	175cm	100kg	28	Japan　7caps
3	Kan NAKANO	177cm	108kg	27
4	Trevor HOSEA	203cm	114kg	25
5	Sam JEFFRIES	198cm	114kg	31
6	Ryuga HASHIMOTO	188cm	112kg	26
7	Kanji Shimokawa	188cm	105kg	25	Japan　14caps
8	Sione LAVEMAI	189m	120kg	30	Japan　1cap
9	Yutaka NAGARE	166cm	75kg	32	Japan　36caps
10	Mikiya Takamoto	171cm	80kg	24	Japan
11	Chelin KOLBE	172cm	80kg	31	South Africa 40caps
12	Shogo NAKANO	186cm	98kg	27	Japan　7caps
13	Isaiah PUNIVAI	189cm	100kg	24
14	Seiya Ozaki	175cm	85kg	29	Japan　4caps
15	Kotaro MATSUSHIMA	179cm	88kg	32	Japan　55caps

One of the rules for competing in League One is that the percentage of Category A players in the field must be 80%. Category A players are those who have represented Japan or are eligible to represent Japan. Starting this season, the restrictions on Category A players, including restrictions on foreign players, have been greatly eased. As a result of this change, the percentage of foreign players in each team’s roster has increased significantly. This is one of the reasons why teams have become more competitive and the intensity of the League One game, especially the physical aspect, has increased. Sungoliath has been the No. 1 team in the league in terms of the depth of its roster, having recruited many Japanese stars. In the match of the day, the percentage of foreign players among the starters is 5 (33%). In contrast, Steelers had 10 (66%) foreign players in their starting lineup, twice as many as Sungoliath. This makes it tough for Sungoliath when physicality, especially contact play, is pushed to the forefront as a tactic. It will be interesting to see how Sungoliath will organize and strengthen their team from next season onward.

＊＊　Player to watch　＊＊

Mikiya TAKAMOTO. 171 cm, 80 kg, 24 years old. He is a graduate of Teikyo University. He is a member of Japan’s high school national team, Junior Japan, and a candidate for Japan’s national team. He has represented Japan in different generations and is expected to play a key role in the future of Japan’s national team. In his second year, he secured a regular position in Sungoliath, where there are many players. He has all the abilities required of a SO, including passing, kicking, and running, and in addition, his condition is always stable, so his performance is consistent. He is outstanding in bringing out the potential of the team. If I were to look for a drawback, it would be the lack of physical size, so the ability to break through on the physical side as an individual would be an issue for the future.

Next, let me introduce today’s Visitor Team, KOBELCO KOBE Steelers.

In League One, the strongest clubs are concentrated in the Kanto area, but the Steelers have made their presence felt in the Kansai area. This season, however, they are still in the playoffs, in 5th place out of 12 teams in League One. The Steelers fans, who know their history of winning 7 consecutive Japanese championships, will be hoping that this season they will not only make the playoffs, but also win the championship, which is their long-cherished wish.

The starting lineup for this day’s match is as follows.

KOBE Steelers
No.	Name	height	weight	age
1	Shigure TAKAO	178cm	110kg	28
2	George TURNER	183cm	101kg	32	Scotland 45caps
3	Hiroshi YAMASHITA	183cm	120kg	39	Japan 51caps
4	Gerard COWLEI-TUIOTI	197cm	115kg	32
5	Brodie RETALLICK	204cm	120kg	33	New Zealand 109caps
6	Tiennan COSTLEY	192cm	104kg	24	Japan　6caps
7	Solomone FUNAKI	185cm	110kg	22
8	Waisake RARATUBUA	186m	99kg	30
9	Atsushi HIWASA	166cm	70kg	37	Japan　51caps
10	Bryn GATLAND	180cm	88kg	29
11	Kanta MATSUNAGA	167cm	79kg	25
12	Seunsin LEE	176cm	85kg	24	Japan　18caps
13	Michael LITTLE	180cm	98kg	32
14	Ataata MOEAKIOLA	185cm	107kg	29	Japan　4caps
15	Rakuhei YAMASHITA	175cm	85kg	33

The Steelers are a force to be reckoned with. Why have they not performed well with such a huge squad? It may be an interesting thing about rugby that you can’t win just because you have a strong team.

＊＊　Player to watch 　　＊＊

Brodie RETALLICK. 204 cm, 120 kg, 33 years old. He was a mainstay regular for All Blacks in three consecutive RWCs in 2015, 2019, and 2023.He was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2014. Fans in Japan are lucky to be able to watch RETALLICK, the world’s greatest lock, in his prime. This season, he is leading the Steelers as captain of the team. How far will the Steelers, led by RETALLICK, go in League One?

Let’s get the first half underway, with the kickoff going to the Steelers.

3 minutes into the first half:

Both teams are confident in their attacking ability, but it was Steelers who took the lead. From the opening kickoff of the game, Steelers entered the enemy territory and gradually made progress while expanding left and right.

The Steelers were on the front foot at the enemy 22m line when outside CTB Little made a line break and was caught by the Sungoliath defense, but offloaded to WTB MOEAKIOLA who followed up from the right side. MOEAKIOLA was tangled up with the Sungoliath defense, but he played it off and scored a try right in the middle of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try failed, but the Steelers scored the first try of the game to make the score 0-5.

6 minutes into the first half:

Despite the Steelers’ loss of the first goal, Sungoliath also showed their Slogan of Aggressive Attacking Rugby on the field.

Sungoliath’s CTB NAKANO made a line break deep in enemy territory and was caught by the Steelers defense as he approached the try line on the left side of the enemy line.

Sungoliath then won a tight battle in this position, and the ball was passed to WTB OZAKI, who used his individual skills to get past the Steelers defense and score a try right in the middle of the enemy’s in-goal.

Sungoliath missed the conversion goal after the try, but the score was 5-5 to tie the game.

10 minutes into the first half:

Sungoliath pushed deep into enemy territory, and Steelers’ FL COSTLEY was fouled for offsides. COSTLEY was shown a yellow card and temporarily sent off for 10 minutes for this foul that prevented Sungoliath from scoring a try.

Sungoliath elected to go for the PG, which SO TAKAMOTO converted to make the score 8-5.

19 minutes into the first half:

The Steelers had a scrum a short distance into enemy territory, but Sungoliath committed an infringement and the Steelers elected to take a penalty kick. CTB LEE scored to make the score 8-8 even.

19 minutes into the first half:

On the restart kickoff after the Steelers’ score, Sungoliath entered the enemy territory, the Steelers dropped the ball in front of them, which was picked up by a Sungoliath player. Sungoliath’s CTB NAKANO scored a try in the right corner of the in-goal.

Sungoliath missed the conversion goal after the try, but the score was 13-8 to take a 5 point lead.

23 minutes into the first half:

Sungoliath’s attack found its rhythm, and the Steelers were on the defensive as Sungoliath attacked in succession into the enemy territory. The Steelers’ defense caught them.

Sungoliath won a tight battle here, however, and the ball was passed from SH NAGARE to FB MATSUSHIMA, who ran to the left side and threw a long pass to CTB PUNIVAI, who caught it and scored a try in the middle of the enemy in-goal on the left side.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 20-8 in Sungoliath’s favor.

34 minutes into the first half:

The Steelers had been evenly matched with Sungoliath in each phase of the game up to this point, but when opportunities arose, they repeatedly committed infringements and were unable to get a grip on the game.

The Steelers were able to break that bad trend with a big play here.

The Steelers connected the ball with a pass from their own line and managed to get deep into the enemy territory. shaking off three day defenders,

34 minutes into the first half:

Up to this point, the Steelers had been evenly matched with Sungoliath in each phase of the game, but when opportunities arose, they repeatedly committed penalties and were unable to get the game going.

The Steelers were able to break that bad trend with a big play here.

The Steelers passed the ball from their own line and managed to get deep into enemy territory, where captain Rock RETALLICK received the ball and took a pass just before the enemy 10-meter line. The 204 cm, 120 kg giant took a step and from there, he shook off three Sungoliath defenders and scored a try on the left side of the goal post in the enemy’s in-goal.

The fans in the stadium cheered loudly for this try.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 20-15.

40 minutes into the first half:

The Steelers’ team’s fighting spirit was given a boost by the earlier play of captain RETALLICK, who, after a foul by Sungoliath, was given the chance to take his own lineout in front of the enemy in-goal from a penalty kick, secured the ball, and then moved forward at once in a maul.

The Steelers kept up the momentum and scored a try with a maul to the left of the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was unsuccessful, but the score was tied 20-20, and the first half ended there.

Looking at the first half of the match, both teams were able to score points when they were able to play to their strengths, with Sungoliath winning the tight contests and scoring from the quick turnaround created by SH NAGARE. On the other hand, Steelers’ winning pattern is for their powerful FWs to break through the dense pack and use that as a starting point to score points. Which team will score the first point in the second half?

Let’s begin the second half.

4 minutes into the second half:

Sungoliath took the second half kickoff and went on the attack in enemy territory, crossing the 22-meter line where the Steelers committed a high tackle infraction. Sungoliath chose to take a penalty kick instead of a PG, creating an opportunity for their own lineout just short of the enemy try line. Sungoliath secured the ball and, using sign play, CTB NAKANO ran in diagonally and cut in for a try right in the middle of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 27-20.

9 minutes into the second half:

Sungoliath scored the first try of the half and continued to attack in the enemy territory, forcing the Steelers back into a defensive dilemma. In the process, the Steelers committed an infringement in front of their own 22m line, giving Sungoliath a PG opportunity. Sungoliath’s SO Takamoto scored to make the score 30-20.

21 minutes into the second half:

Steelers changed their offensive approach, putting their strong FW forward,They secured the ball in a lineout on the right side of the field near the 22-meter line, then formed a maul to push forward and score a try, but Sungoliath managed to hold them off.

From there, however, the Steelers continued their FW side attack, culminating in a try by lock RETALLICK to the left side of the goal post in the enemy’s in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 30-27.

31 minutes into the second half:

The game continued to go back and forth during this period, with neither team able to score a point. Sungoliath committed an infringement just before their own 22m line. Here, the Steelers opted for a penalty kick instead of a PG in order to score a try and turn the tables. On the left side, in front of the enemy try line, Steelers secured the ball in their own lineout and expanded to the right side. Here, Steelers’ SO GATLAND released a brilliant kick pass from the right side to the edge of the left sideline. WTB MOEAKIOLA caught the pass and scored a try in the left corner of the enemy in-goal.

The conversion goal after the try was also successful, making the score 30-34, and the Steelers were back in front.

35 minutes into the second half:

With time running out, Sungoliath went on the offensive, winning the ball and pushing deep into the enemy territory as the Steelers struggled to handle kicks. With the try line closing in, Sungoliath made a series of vertical charges with their flanks to the goalposts. Here, Sungoliath substitute SH FUKUDA took advantage of a momentary lapse and dove just under the goal posts to score a crucial try.

Sungoliath also succeeded in scoring the conversion goal after the try, and the score was 37-34.

40 minutes into the second half:

With one last hope for a comeback, the Steelers had a chance to take the ball out of their own half on the left side of the field near the enemy 22m line. The Steelers then had a chance to take the ball out of their own half.

Sungoliath was now in a position to secure the ball in their own ball lineout and win the game if they could survive the remaining less than a minute. However, the ball from the lineout rolled into the Steelers’ side, and the Steelers went right and WTB MATSUNAGA scored the final try.

Steelers missed the conversion goal after the try, but the score was 37-39. The game was now over.

With this result, Steelers defended their 5th place position in the playoff standings. Sungoliath, on the other hand, lost the game but by seven points or less, so they gained one winning point and are now in seventh place.

With only 6 rounds remaining in League One, the gap between the teams has narrowed and no team can afford to be complacent. We are looking forward to watching the games from the next round onward.

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Stop the war.

Peace to Ukraine

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