On April 6th, Toyota Verblitz faced Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in the 12th round of League One. Despite conceding 2 early tries, they staged a comeback to win 47-30, bringing their overall record back to an even 6 wins and 6 losses, placing them 7th in the standings. The host game at the Gifu Memorial Centre Nagaragawa Stadium, held once a year, drew a record crowd of 7,390 spectators. Amidst the full bloom of cherry blossoms surrounding the stadium, the team secured their first victory since the match against Spears on March 9th. Having faced consecutive defeats against Sungliath and Blue Revs, this match was crucial.
Early in the kickoff, the green jerseys appeared stiff, conceding 2 tries from offloads by No. 8, Jose Seru, trailing 0-12 within the first 13 minutes. It was a sluggish start reminiscent of their previous loss. In response, Captain Kazuki Himeno rallied the team in a huddle, delivering his emotions. "I threw some harsh words. Liners were great, but it was our responsibility. The mindset is crucial." His words quickly resonated with the team. In the 15th minute, after multiple phases of attack in the opposition territory, fly-half Tiaan Falcon passed to winger Viliame Tuidraki on the left edge, resulting in a try. Falcon mentioned, “I took the opportunity because their defense was tight and our forwards were in motion.” Falcon, starting since the 7th round against Heat, seized the opportunity due to Beauden Barrett's absence, originally slated for the position.
With Tuidraki's try, the team regained their rhythm. Hooker Yoshikatsu Hikosaka scored a trademark try from a goal-line maul in the 21st minute. Also, full-back Taichi Takahashi's clever kick in front of the opposition goal line in the 25th minute was secured by Tuidraki to set up scrum-half Aaron Smith for another try. Falcon converted three consecutive tries, widening the lead to 21-12.
Liners captain, Shouhei Nonaka, reflected that scoring 2 tries at the beginning was the turning point. "2 tries to 0. It's a pivotal moment whether we create a mental advantage or remain even. After scoring 2 tries, we should have piled on with 3-pointers, but we got flustered and ended up spending too much time in our own half.” Continuing to concede points would have widened the gap further for Verblitz. Reversing the momentum from a 12-point deficit was the highlight of this match. The first half ended 28-22. In the second half, Verblitz scored 3 more tries to secure a 47-30 victory and to earn 5 points.
In the 25th minute of the second half, second-year rookie Issa Yamakawa made a substitute appearance, marking his League One debut. “I approached the game with awareness of my role. I’ve done my part, so getting the first cap felt great. I was nervous, but it helped me perform better," said Yamakawa, who was part of the squad in the 3rd round against Dynaboars but didn't play. He showcased his ball-carrying strength in the Mirai match, earning his spot in the lineup.
This day highlighted players eager for game time. Falcon converted 5 out of 6 kicks, sealing the game. Substitute prop Shunsuke Asaoka, who came on in the 7th minute of the second half, saved the team with a jackal in the 17th minute. Kaito Shigeno, who came on at the 16th minute, brought strong leadership, propelling the team forward. These are positive signs for the upcoming consecutive matches.
Charlie Lawrence, who scored 2 tries in the second half, said, "Previous games started well but we let them come back. Today was different. A bad start but a strong finish. If we combine both aspects, we can do even better, and I can score more tries (laughs)." The team aims to continue the cycle of victory and reflection."
Next round, they face Sagamihara Dynaboars in Nagasaki, the first League One match there. Currently ranked 9th with 5 wins and 7 losses, Dynaboars are known for their team spirit. It will be a test of unity for Toyota Verblitz as well.
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