New Zealand Experience Report – North Otago EditionProp Gaku Shimizu and scrum-half Kippei Taninaka have been playing for Valley Sports Club in Oamaru, North Otago, since late May. Though they are now fully settled and enjoying what Shimizu describes as a “really comfortable life,” their arrival came with a trial by fire.Just one day after landing in New Zealand, on Ma...2025.07.03 02:23English Contents
New Zealand Experience Report – Southland EditionAs part of the team’s annual New Zealand training stint, this year’s group includes hooker Shintaro Fukuzawa, flanker Kosei Miki, and fly-half Masahiro Kitamura, who have all headed to Invercargill. Meanwhile, prop Gaku Shimizu and scrum-half Kippei Taninaka are based in North Otago. All five players are taking part in...2025.06.30 02:34English Contents
Daichi Akiyama - "I want to find the answer to what's expected of a lock."Daichi Akiyama, who joined the team in the 2019 season alongside his peer Shunsuke Asaoka, will also be leaving Verblitz at the end of this season. It’s not that his playing time was limited. As a valuable Japanese second-row player in League One, he started in eight games last season. This season, he was in the starti...2025.06.02 06:36English Contents
Asaoka Shunsuke - Committed to Wearing the Tight Head JerseyThe front-row forward who spent six seasons with Toyota Verblitz is leaving the team.Shunsuke Asaoka since joining in 2019, his name has almost always appeared on the team list. Yet, the jersey number he wore was usually in the double digits. Last season, he came off the bench in 11 of 16 matches. This season, he was s...2025.06.02 06:35English Contents
Finish Strong to Conclude the SeasonToyota Verblitz have announced their 23-man squad for their final match of the season, to be held on May 10th at Toyota Stadium, where they will face Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay. Scrum-half Kaisei Tamura, who made his debut in the April 27th against the Sungoliath, will once again start at half-back. Prop Ge...2025.05.08 23:52English Contents
Long-Awaited Victory Secures League One Survival – Toyota Verblitz Avoids Relegation PlayoffOn May 4th, Toyota Verblitz faced Mie Honda Heat in Suzuka in Round 17 of NTT Japan Rugby League One. In a must-win match to avoid the relegation playoff, Verblitz surged to a 31-11 lead by halftime and held off a strong second-half comeback by the Heat to claim a 38-30 victory. With this result, Verblitz secured their...2025.05.06 06:47English Contents
Treat this game as if it's the Grand FinalToyota Verblitz have announced their squad for the Round 17 fixture of NTT Japan Rugby League One, where they will face Mie Honda Heat on May 4th. Scrum-half Aaron Smith, who was left out of the previous matchday squad, returns to start at half-back. The team will also enter the match with a 6-2 bench configuration for...2025.05.03 07:34English Contents
"We fight with determination and enjoy the pressure." - Steve HansenOn April 27th, Toyota Verblitz faced Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka for Round 16 of the NTT Japan Rugby League One. Despite trailing narrowly 14-19 at halftime, Verblitz conceded three consecutive tries just past the 10-minute mark of the second half, ultimately losing 28–45. Their cumulati...2025.04.29 08:05English Contents
Kaisei Tamura to make first start at scrum-half.The match-day squad for the upcoming match against Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath on April 27th at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka has been announced. Kaisei Tamura, in his third year with the team, will make his first appearance for Verblitz as a starter. Flanker William Tupou will start for the first time since Round 5, an...2025.04.26 03:16English Contents
Defeat in the Rain: Discipline Remains a Key IssueOn April 14th, in Round 15 of the NTT Japan Rugby League One, Toyota Verblitz faced Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo at ZOZO Oripri Stadium in Ichihara, Chiba. Verblitz suffered a 7–37 loss, bringing their season record to 3 wins, 1 draw, and 11 losses. A light drizzle turned into steady rain shortly after kickoff. Two pers...2025.04.15 00:00English Contents
Himeno Returns to Back Row with Aoki and Hooper After Three-Month AbsenceA reliable leader is back. Toyota Verblitz announced their squad for the April 13th clash against Black Rams Tokyo at ZOZO Park Honda Stadium in Ichihara. Number-eight and captain Kazuki Himeno makes his long-awaited return after three months, joining Keito Aoki and Michael Hooper in the back row. 2025.04.12 01:10English Contents
"We Accept the Result and Will Work Even Harder." - Steve HansenIn Round 14 of the NTT Japan Rugby League One, held on April 5th at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, Toyota Verblitz faced off against Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and suffered a 17–55 defeat. Facing the league’s second-place team, the match also marked a significant milestone for two players. Toyota Verblitz’s scrum-hal...2025.04.08 00:36English Contents