The NTT Japan Rugby League One Round 5 match took place on January 19th at Mikuni Stadium in Kitakyushu, where Toyota Verblitz faced the undefeated Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, losing 22-38.
Having prepared thoroughly before the bye week, Verblitz approached the game against the league leader with determination. However, early mistakes proved costly and resonated throughout the game.
Just three minutes in, a scrum near the opposition’s 10-meter line saw scrum-half Aaron Smith break through and make a pass, but the Wild Knights were able to halt the attack right before the try line. In the 7th minute, Verblitz lost their line-out on their own goal line, allowing them to score the first try. In the 12th minute, Verblitz were once again penalized near their goal line, leading to another try for the undefeated opposition, bringing the score to 0-14.
"It’s difficult to chase the game against a top team," said Head Coach Steve Hansen.
Verblitz, now playing catch-up, did not waver in their attacking attitude. In the 36th minute, they strung together several phases near their goal line. Lock Richie Gray brought the ball close to the try line, where flanker Isaiah Mapusua managed to ground it before their defense could regather. It was a try born from a blend of speed and power, a team effort.
In the second half, the team rallied with a try from wing Taichi Takahashi, his fifth try of the season, but the Wild Knights kept scoring efficiently, opening up a 28-point gap. However, towards the end of the game, scrum-half Kaito Shigeno, fly-half Matt McGahan, and center Joseph Manu displayed excellent finishing skills, adding two more tries. The final score was 22-38.
"We conceded points too easily in the first 20 minutes, and that was the turning point," said Hooker Yoshikatsu Hikosaka, the game captain. Both teams had opportunities, but it was the finer details—focus in critical moments and reactions to mistakes—that made the difference.
Captain Kazuki Himeno, who was sent off late in the previous match against Black Rams Tokyo, suffered a calf injury and is expected to be out for two months, according to Coach Hansen. Stepping up to fill his shoes was rookie Akito Okui, who played number 8. He impressed with several tackles and steals, earning high praise from Hansen. "He’s a smart, dedicated player and one of our leaders. I’m pleased with his performance today," said the coach.
"I was frustrated not being able to play at the start of the season, but I’ve been preparing for whenever my opportunity would come," said Okui. "I was able to do what I wanted, but since we lost, I feel I need to grow more. This game was a stepping stone."
Fly-half Rikiya Matsuda, who faced his former team, said, "It was difficult. They’re a strong team," praising his old teammates. His conversion-kicking wasn't at its best, but he identified the cause as an adjustment required in his physical and mental state. "It’s something I can only fix. I’ll focus on improving myself," he said, looking ahead to the remainder of the season.
This match marked the first Division 1 game in Kitakyushu. Banners announcing the match were displayed around Kokura Station, and the stands were packed. The previous record for attendance at Mikuni Stadium, set on June 25, 2022, for the Japan vs Uruguay match, was 11,664. This time, 13,251 spectators filled the venue. Known as a rugby region, Fukuoka saw the crowd remain seated until the final whistle, cheering the Verblitz's relentless attacking style, which transcended the result.
"Truly a beautiful stadium. The field is great, and we felt the fans presence. I’d love to come back next year," said Coach Hansen. Hikosaka, the game captain, also praised the field, noting, "The turf was great and it was perfect for scrummaging,” receiving positive feedback from players.
With the upcoming bye-week break in the League One season after five consecutive games, the team will take a short break before preparing for the next series of games. "We played well, except for the first 20 minutes. We’ll go back, improve, and keep developing,” said Coach Hansen.
After Round 5, the team has 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses. While not the desired result, the team’s strong challenge against the league leaders made clear the areas that still need improvement. "We need to work on our patience and connections across the field," said Matsuda. "We have our own style. The key now is maintaining consistency for 80 minutes," said Okui. The team is evolving. While there will still be challenges ahead, the squad believes that overcoming them will transform the team into something stronger than ever.
"One day, our turn will come," said Coach Hansen, who urged the team to stay refreshed and focused. The next game, scheduled for February 1st, will be against Yokohama Canon Eagles, marking the season's first game at Toyota Stadium. With the support of the VOLTs, they aim to soar to new heights.
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