Toyota 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 1 draw, placing them 11th in the standings.
A season-high 24,165 spectators filled the stands for this clash. While Verblitz ultimately fell short, the stadium's screen repeatedly flashed "NICE PLAY" throughout the match, energizing the sea of green in the stands. It was a game where Verblitz finally showed glimpses of their true potential.
Brave Lupus struck first, scoring a try from a scrum in the third minute. Verblitz responded with a penalty goal from fly-half Matt McGahan but soon conceded two more tries, trailing 3-21 by the 26th minute. In previous matches, falling behind by a wide margin often meant struggling to regain momentum. This time, however, the team fought back with determination, ensuring the intensity remained high for the full 80 minutes.
In the 31st minute, Michael Hooper, the 33-year-old flanker with 125 caps for Australia, capitalized on a lineout near the goal line, exploiting a gap in the defense to score a try. Verblitz entered halftime down 10-21. Since joining the team in Round 8, Hooper has seamlessly integrated into the squad, showing glimpses of his top form from his Wallabies days. His fellow flanker, 22-year-old Keito Aoki, also thrilled the crowd with crucial turnovers.
Brave Lupus extended their lead with an early second-half try, but Verblitz found a spark through one of their youngest players. Fly-half Shinya Komura, an early-entry signing from Teikyo University, played a pivotal role. Having earned his first cap in the previous round against Urayasu D-Rocks, Komura entered the match in the 56th minute, replacing McGahan. As the new playmaker, he organized the attack, setting up a try in the 65th minute with a perfectly placed cross-kick to winger Joseph Manu—executing a move they had practiced throughout the week. In the 73rd minute, Siosaia Fifita, marking his 50th appearance for Verblitz, added another try, with Komura slotting the conversion to close the gap to 22-26.
Verblitz dominated territory for much of the second half, keeping Brave Lupus under pressure near their goal line. However, Brave Lupus managed to shift play back into Verblitz's half and sealed the game with a final try, bringing the score to 22-33.
Head Coach Steve Hansen acknowledged the effort. “We didn’t get the result we wanted, but the team showed great intent. Competing with a top side until the final whistle is a positive step." The scrum held firm, and Verblitz sustained pressure deep in the opposition’s half for extended periods. Game captain Yoshikatsu Hikozaka also reflected positively. “From the first half, I felt we were controlling the game well."
Komura, taking responsibility as the fly-half in the latter stages, remarked, "This was a match we could have won. As the fly-half, I take responsibility for not closing the game out." Aoki, who played the full 80 minutes in his first-ever start, admitted, "I went too hard early on and was exhausted midway through the first half," but added, "I adjusted my pacing in the second half and managed better." Reflecting on his performance, he noted, "I placed the ball too early in contact situations—I should have been more aggressive." Brave Lupus captain Michael Leitch echoed this sentiment, encouraging Aoki. "I want him to carry more and hit harder. The more he plays, the stronger he’ll become. He has the potential to perform on the world stage."
The young duo of Aoki and Komura made their presence felt, while veteran scrum-half Aaron Smith played the full 80 minutes for the first time this season, showcasing his world-class ability in critical moments. The match was a true team effort.
Hansen also expressed confidence in the team's direction. "The players’ commitment and hard work are paying off. The pieces are starting to come together." The key now is to maintain this level and continue building upward.
Two inter-conference matches remain before the season shifts to re-matches against teams from similar standings. Verblitz will next face 10th-placed Sagamihara Dynaboars on March 22 at Nagaragawa Stadium. With momentum from their spirited performance at Toyota Stadium, they aim to convert effort into victory.
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