(Written by Azul: May 3, 2026)
April 18. With spring in full swing and the skies clear and sunny, I headed to TOYOTA Stadium in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, to watch the League One Round 15 official match between the Verblitz and the Steelers.
By the 2:30 PM kickoff, the temperature had risen to 23 degrees Celsius, and the stadium had taken on an early summer feel.
With the weather this warm, nearly all the fans who had arrived at the stadium were wearing short sleeves.
The attendance for the day reached 24,345, and the atmosphere inside the stadium was building to a fever pitch ahead of the match.
The standings through the previous round are as follows.
| 2025-26 | League One Order(Division 1) 4/17 | |||||
| ranking | team | Win | Lose | Even | WP | SD |
| 1 | Saitama Panasonic Wildnights | 13 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 238 |
| 2 | KOBELCO Kobe Steelers | 12 | 2 | 0 | 57 | 249 |
| 3 | Kubota Spears | 11 | 3 | 0 | 55 | 275 |
| 4 | Black Rams Tokyo | 9 | 6 | 0 | 41 | 24 |
| 5 | Tokyo SUNTORY Sungoliath | 7 | 7 | 0 | 39 | 80 |
| 6 | TOSHIBA Brave Lupas TOKYO | 6 | 8 | 0 | 30 | -106 |
| 7 | Toyota Verblitz | 6 | 8 | 0 | 29 | -114 |
| 8 | Mie Honda Heat | 6 | 9 | 0 | 29 | -110 |
| 9 | Shizuoka Blue Revs | 5 | 9 | 0 | 25 | -72 |
| 10 | Sagamihara Dynaboars | 4 | 10 | 0 | 19 | -138 |
| 11 | Yokohama CANNON Eagles | 3 | 11 | 0 | 16 | -167 |
| 12 | Urayasu D-Rocks | 3 | 11 | 0 | 12 | -259 |
| WP=Winning Point | ||||||
| SD=Score Difference | ||||||
The top 3 teams have secured their spots in the playoffs. Currently, the fiercest battles are taking place for the top 6 spots—which secure a playoff berth—and for the bottom 2 spots, which will face relegation playoffs to Division 2.
Now, let’s introduce the two teams facing off today.
First, here is the home team, TOYOTA Verblitz.
As of match day, they were in 7th place. If they can climb one more spot, they will advance to the playoffs. This season, the Verblitz started with a win in the opening match but then suffered seven consecutive losses, temporarily sinking to the bottom of the table. While they were a powerhouse that consistently contended for the title during the Top League era, this performance was a major letdown for the team’s supporters. Looking at the team’s current roster, they possess a powerful lineup capable of winning the championship, and with a coaching staff led by a former New Zealand national team manager, one can’t help but wonder why they’ve struggled so much. However, starting in the second half of the season, they became a force to be reckoned with in League One, defeating even the top teams one after another. With only 3 games remaining, they are currently the team with the most momentum, so there is a possibility they could win the championship after advancing through the playoffs.
The starting lineup for this match was as follows.
| TOYOTA Verblitz | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Shogo MIURA | 180cm | 115kg | 29 | Japan 14caps |
| 2 | Yoshikatsu HIKOSAKA | 178cm | 105kg | 34 | Japan |
| 3 | Taufa LATU | 183cm | 120kg | 28 | |
| 4 | Josh DICKSON | 200cm | 117kg | 31 | |
| 5 | Laurens ERASMUS | 200cm | 115kg | 32 | |
| 6 | Hingano LOLOHEA | 191cm | 120kg | 22 | |
| 7 | Kosei MIKI | 174cm | 95kg | 23 | |
| 8 | Keito AOKI | 187cm | 110kg | 23 | |
| 9 | Kaito SHIGENO | 170cm | 78kg | 35 | Japan 16caps |
| 10 | Rikiya MATSUDA | 181cm | 92kg | 31 | Japan 39caps |
| 11 | Mark TELEA | 186cm | 94kg | 29 | New Zealand 19caps |
| 12 | Aidan MORGAN | 174cm | 80kg | 24 | |
| 13 | Siosaia FIFITA | 187cm | 105kg | 26 | Japan 16caps |
| 14 | Taichi TAKAHASHI | 180cm | 91kg | 29 | Japan 2caps |
| 15 | Shinya KOMURA | 180cm | 92kg | 23 | Japan 2caps |
＊＊ Player to Watch ＊＊
Mark TELEA. 186 cm, 94 kg, 29 years old. Position: WTB. New Zealand national team. Caps: 19. The world’s best wing. Among the players who joined League One this season, he is the one I’m watching most closely. His unmatched breaking ability, on display in New Zealand national team matches, is a must-see even for non-fans. New Zealand’s victory at the 2027 Rugby World Cup is unthinkable without his contributions.
Next, an introduction to the visiting team, the KOBELCO Steelers.
League One standings on match day: 2nd place. They have already secured a spot in the playoffs. The Steelers, a prestigious Kansai-based team, are always a powerhouse and a title contender. However, this season they have shown improvement in both offense and defense, resolving the fragility and poor coordination seen in previous seasons—they seem to have been reborn as a completely different team. As the season progresses, the team’s cohesion deepens, evoking memories of their golden era when they won 7 consecutive titles.
The starting lineup for this match was as follows.
| KOBE Steelers | |||||
| No. | Name | height | weight | age | |
| 1 | Shigure TAKAO | 178cm | 110kg | 28 | |
| 2 | Ash DIXON | 179cm | 103kg | 37 | |
| 3 | Hiroshi YAMASHITA | 183cm | 120kg | 39 | Japan 51caps |
| 4 | Brodie RETALLICK | 204cm | 120kg | 34 | New Zealand 109caps |
| 5 | Gerard COWLEI-TUIOTI | 197cm | 115kg | 33 | |
| 6 | Tiennan COSTLEY | 192cm | 106kg | 25 | Japan 1caps |
| 7 | Willie POTGIETTER | 190cm | 105kg | 24 | |
| 8 | Ardie SAVEA | 184m | 105kg | 32 | New Zealand 105caps |
| 9 | Itsuki KAMIMURA | 168cm | 72kg | 23 | |
| 10 | Seunsin LEE | 176cm | 85kg | 25 | Japan 28caps |
| 11 | Inoke BURUA | 178cm | 100kg | 26 | |
| 12 | Lafaere TIMOSY | 186cm | 98kg | 34 | Japan 28caps |
| 13 | Tali IOASA | 193cm | 105kg | 20 | |
| 14 | Kazuma UEDA | 177cm | 86kg | 23 | Japan 1caps |
| 15 | Shunsuke UENOBO | 183cm | 88kg | 22 | |
＊＊ Player to Watch ＊＊
Shunsuke UENOBO. 183 cm, 88 kg, 22 years old. Position: FB, SO. A graduate of Tenri University. Although he is a rookie who just graduated from college this spring, he quickly secured a starting spot as the FB for the prestigious Steelers. His offensive instincts are exceptional, and he seems to possess a natural talent. With his physicality improving dramatically with every game, he is a player we hope will be selected for the Japanese national team starting this season.
And now, the first half begins.
The game kicked off with a Steelers kickoff. Verblitz secured the ball and kicked it back into the opponent’s territory, but the Steelers launched a sustained attack from there. Although the play became scrappy at times, the Steelers kept the offense going.
The Steelers steadily gained ground in the opponent’s territory, closing in on the try line. Finally, they shifted the play to the left, and Steelers fullback UENOBO, who had received the ball, broke into the opponent’s in-goal area and scored the opening try in the left corner.
Steelers SO LEE successfully converted the try, bringing the score to 0-7.
16 minutes into the first half:
Verblitz created several promising opportunities on offense, but the Steelers’ defense—especially near the try line—would not allow them to advance. The Steelers’ consistent top-tier performance this season can be attributed to a dramatic improvement in teamwork on both offense and defense since last season.
Although Verblitz allowed the Steelers to score first, the 2 teams were evenly matched in the scrums.
Amidst this, the Steelers’ CTB TIMOSY was penalized for a high tackle and received a 10-minute suspension.
Verblitz capitalized on the numerical advantage created by this penalty. Although they struggled against the Steelers’ defense, they advanced deep into enemy territory, dominated possession with consecutive attacks, and ultimately, SHIGENO scored a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.
Verblitz’s SO MATSUDA also successfully kicked the conversion after the try, tying the score at 7-7.
25 minutes into the first half:
Both teams were evenly matched in terms of strength at the point of contact, but the Steelers were superior in terms of ball movement and smooth passing. Once in the opponent’s half, the Steelers, despite being tackled, utilized off-load passes to spread the play widely from left to right.
Then, Steelers WTB UEDA broke through the line in the right corner and rolled a ground punt into the opponent’s in-goal area. FB UENOBO grounded the ball in the in-goal area, scoring his second try of the day.
The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 7-14.
28 minutes into the first half:
Immediately after conceding a try, Verblitz launched a brilliant line attack. Upon entering the opponent’s half, Verblitz secured the ball, and the backs spread the play to the right. From WTB Telea, FB Komura cut diagonally into the gap, received the ball, and sprinted at top speed, shaking off the opposing defense to score a try directly beneath the goalposts in the opponent’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick after the try was also successful, tying the score at 14-14.
32 minutes into the first half:
Upon entering the opponent’s half, the Steelers advanced their line through a series of attacks. Near the opponent’s 22-meter line, they pushed the opposition out wide, earning a lineout in their own half.
From there, the Steelers secured the ball and advanced by forming a maul.
As the Steelers approached the in-goal area, hooker DIXON, who was at the back of the maul, broke through on the left side and scored a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.
The first half ended with this score. It was an exciting match where both teams showcased their strengths and thrilled the crowd.
Can the home team, Verblitz, respond to the crowd’s cheers and pull off a comeback victory in the second half? Or will the Steelers unleash their trademark offensive power and fend off Verblitz’s challenge?
It’s now the 15-minute halftime break.
Verblitz’s mascot is named RIGER.
During halftime, he made a lap around the stadium to entertain the fans.
And now, the second half began.
3 minutes into the second half:
The first scoring opportunity of the second half went to Verblitz. During a scrum in the Steelers’ end zone, Steelers No. 8 SAVEA committed an offside penalty. Since the penalty occurred directly in front of the goalposts, Verblitz opted for a field goal. Verblitz’s SO MATSUDA converted it with ease, bringing the score to 17-21.
9 minutes into the second half:
Verblitz displayed an unexpected offensive play at this stage, advancing deep into the opponent’s territory.
However, as Verblitz was moving the ball down the left flank near the opponent’s 22-meter line, Steelers fullback UENOBO intercepted the pass. UENOBO then sprinted down the right touchline and scored a try in the right corner of the opponent’s in-goal area.
Although the conversion kick after the try was missed, FB UENOBO’s try shifted the momentum of the game. The score became 17-26.
14 minutes into the second half:
Both teams launched consecutive attacks, and the players’ fatigue became increasingly apparent. However, the Steelers began to demonstrate a noticeable numerical advantage during their attacks.
The Steelers spread the play wide from the right to the left, eventually creating a numerical advantage on the outside, and WTB BURUA scored a try in the left corner of the opponent’s in-goal area.
Although the conversion kick after the try was missed, the score became 17-31.
In terms of gameplay, the Steelers held the upper hand, but Verblitz displayed tenacious defense, causing the match to reach a stalemate. At this point, if the Steelers scored again, the outcome of the match would be decided, so this was a critical moment for the Verblitz to hold their ground.
33 minutes into second half:
The scoreless stalemate had lasted for nearly 20 minutes, but it was broken by the astonishing physical prowess of the Steelers’ WTB BURUA.
The Steelers penetrated the opponent’s territory and repeatedly threatened the try line, but were repelled by Verblitz’s focused defense. However, Steelers WTB BURUA, receiving the ball near the 22-meter line, knocked aside 3 defenders and scored a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 17-38 and putting the Steelers in a commanding lead.
40th minute of the second half:
Even as the match drew to a close, the Steelers showed little sign of letting up physically. In contrast, the Verblitz players were visibly fatigued. They found themselves caught in a vicious cycle: even when they managed to regain possession, handling errors would derail their attacks.
Amid Verblitz’s apparent disadvantage, a game-saving play emerged. Verblitz was playing near their own try line but couldn’t make any headway. In desperation, the center kicked a short punt, which FB Komura caught and ran with for over 80 meters, scoring a try in the middle-right of the opponent’s in-goal area.
The conversion kick after the try was also successful, bringing the score to 24-38.
Although the Steelers had secured the victory, for Verblitz, the game was not over yet. There was still one play remaining before the final whistle. Having converted the extra point, Verblitz needed just seven more points to earn one victory point. To secure a spot in the playoffs, they were desperate to rack up those points.
Perhaps Verblitz’s determination paid off, as they won consecutive scrums and lineouts, advancing to just in front of the Steelers’ try line.
However, with the game on the line in front of the Steelers’ try line, Verblitz lost possession of the ball on their own lineout, and the match ended.
The final score was 24-38, with the Steelers earning 5 points. In contrast, the defeated Verblitz must now aim to finish within the top 6—the cutoff for the playoffs—in the remaining 3 rounds.
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Stop the war.
Peace to Ukraine
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