“Sometimes, we put too much pressure on ourselves" – Steve HansenOn March 22nd, Toyota Verblitz faced Sagamihara Dynaboars at Gifu’s Nagaragawa Stadium in Round 12 of NTT Japan Rugby League One. The match saw Verblitz conceding the opening score and playing from behind. In the second half, the team fought back with three consecutive tries, closing the gap to just two points. However...2025.03.24 05:52English Content
Michael Hooper Named Game CaptainToyota Verblitz has announced its 23-man squad for Round 12 of NTT Japan Rugby League One, where they will face Sagamihara Dynaboars at Nagaragawa Stadium on March 22nd. Due to injuries, hooker Yoshikatsu Hikosaka, lock Daichi Akiyama, and flanker Akito Okui will be replaced in the lineup. No.8 Ryusei Koike will make h...2025.03.21 00:39English Content
Signs of Revival: Verblitz Show Grit Despite LossToyota Verblitz faced Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in Round 11 of NTT Japan Rugby League One on March 15th at Toyota Stadium. Despite rallying from a maximum deficit of 18 points to come within four, they conceded a try just before the final whistle and lost 22-33. Their overall record now stands at 2 wins, 8 losses, and ...2025.03.17 03:45English Content
Challenging the Reigning Champions with Defense and PhysicalityOn March 13th, following a bye week, a press conference was held ahead of the upcoming match against Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo. Attending were Co-Coach Ian Foster and the center pairing of Siosaia Fifita and Nicholas McCurran.Fifita, who transferred from the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in the 2022 season, is set to mark h...2025.03.14 00:51English Content
The Early Entry duo Aoki and Komura Named in Reserves; Tuidraki and Takahashi Return as FinishersOn March 1st, the team will face Urayasu D-Rocks in the 10th round of NTT Japan Rugby League One at J-Village Stadium in Fukushima. The squad for the match was announced on February 27th.With Rikiya Matsuda injured in the previous round, Matt McGahan will take over his position as starting fly-half. Viliame Tuidraki re...2025.02.27 22:35English Content
“You don’t have to change everything. Do what we do well at a higher level.” -Michael HooperThe NTT Japan Rugby League One Round 9 match took place on February 22nd at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashi-Osaka, where Toyota Verblitz suffered a 21-63 defeat against Kobelco Kobe Steelers. With this loss, Verblitz’s overall record fell to 1 win, 1 draw, and 7 losses, dropping them to 11th place in the standings. P...2025.02.24 22:17English Content
Michael Hooper Returns to the Starting XV for Verblitz as FlankerOn February 22nd, Toyota Verblitz announced their lineup for NTT Japan Rugby League One Round 9, where they will face Kobe Kobelco Steelers at Hanazono Rugby Stadium. After a four-season absence, flanker Michael Hooper will start at number 7, and Akito Okui will start at number 8. Scrum-half Ryang Jongchu, who started ...2025.02.21 01:19English Content
11-year-old gap Flanker duo; Aoki and Hooper make their season debut.On February 14th, during the Mirai match against the Shizuoka Blue Revs at the sports center, a spirited young player and a global legend paired up as the Flankers Keito Aoki, who joined from Teikyo University as an early-entry player wore the No.6 jersey. Wearing the No.7 jersey was Michael Hooper, an Australian rugby...2025.02.17 03:21English Content
"In tough times, it’s about staying tight.”- Rikiya MatsudaOn February 16th, Toyota Verblitz faced Shizuoka Blue Revs at Nagara Rugby Stadium in NTT Japan Rugby League One Round 8. After conceding 14 points early on, Verblitz mounted a comeback to narrow the deficit to just three points, but ultimately lost 23-33, suffering their sixth loss of the season. Their record now stan...2025.02.17 03:17English Content
Eight Changes to the Starting Lineup. Fly-half Rikiya Matsuda to Lead the Team for the First Time.Toyota Verblitz has announced their lineup for the upcoming NTT Japan Rugby League One Round 8 match against Shizuoka Blue Revs, which will take place on February 15th at Nagara Rugby Stadium in Gifu.2025.02.14 01:51English Content
"There may be a hidden factor underneath.” - Akito OkuiOn February 10th, Toyota Verblitz faced Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars in NTT Japan Rugby League One Round 7 at Gion Stadium. Verblitz trailed 14-41 at halftime, and despite a strong second-half comeback, they suffered their fifth loss of the season with a final score of 40-44.Both teams scored a try within the ...2025.02.11 07:30English Content
“We need to match their level of physicality.” – Co-coach Ian FosterToyota Verblitz has announced their lineup for the NTT Japan Rugby League One Round 7 match against Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars, which will be held on February 9th. Scrum-half Aaron Smith returns to the starting lineup, while William Tupou will start at number 8. Co-coach Ian Foster, lock Josh Dickson, and wing Tai...2025.02.08 01:24English Content