Round 2 Match Report vs Tokyo SG

Kosei Miki: “I want to be a Number 7 who can take back momentum with tackles” 

Toyota Verblitz faced Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in Round 2 of League One on December 20 at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, falling 25–43.

Following their opening-round victory against Honda in the previous match, Verblitz controlled the tempo for the first 60 minutes from kickoff. In the 9th minute, fly-half Rikiya Matsuda opened the scoring with a penalty goal. The scrum was stable with quick ball delivery, and early on they applied pressure at the breakdown, drawing penalties from the opposition and generally dictating play.

Eighteen minutes into the second half, captain and No. 8 Kazuki Himeno scored his second try in as many matches to extend the lead to 25–15. From there, however, Tokyo SG shifted gears. Starting with a try by South African international wing Cheslin Kolbe in the 23rd minute, they ran in four consecutive tries. Verblitz suffered a comeback loss, 25–43.

There had been several dangerous moments even before the middle stages of the match. Verblitz stayed connected against the opposition’s transitions (attacking from defense) and repeatedly held firm near their own goal line. The turning point came in the 32nd minute with a try by the Sungoliath’s scrum-half Kenta Fukuda. Immediately after falling behind 25–29, Verblitz had their own lineout deep in the opponent’s territory—an ideal chance to regain the lead. However, the ball was stolen, and they were driven all the way back into their own half. From that point on, they were forced onto the defensive and handed the initiative to their opponents.

Reflecting on that moment in the post-match press conference, captain Himeno said:

“We’d been turned around, but the game was far from over. Everyone tried too hard to do something individually, and we lost our connection. We should have stayed calmer and focused on our own play.”

Head coach Steve Hansen echoed that sentiment:

“We were in a position to win for the first 60 minutes. But after that, almost unconsciously, we stopped playing our attacking style—handling the ball carelessly, kicking when it wasn’t necessary. Our willingness to take the initiative disappeared.”

Comments from the Sungoliath’s game captain Yutaka Nagare overlapped with Hansen’s view:

“What I told the team before the match was two things: ‘It’s going to take the full 80 minutes to win, but don’t look too far ahead—focus on what’s in front of you, and attack without fear.’”

The seasoned Sungoliath side did not miss the moment when Verblitz slipped into a defensive mindset.

“Some players still lack successful experiences. Assuming that we do have enough ability, we need to keep believing in the process and continue working hard,” said Hansen.

The player who stood out during the match was flanker Kosei Miki, wearing the number 7 jersey. His white headgear seemed to be everywhere on the field as he repeatedly drove opponents onto their backs. He made a match-high 23 tackles (second was Himeno with 20), with a 100 percent success rate. Despite fully displaying his trademark style, Miki kept his lips tightly pressed after the match.

“I need to get used to performing at this level of intensity. No matter how many tackles I made, the momentum was with them. If I can keep making tackles that take back that momentum, then I’ll be called ‘Toyota’s number 7.’”

Asked about number sevens who change games with their tackling, Miki named Ardie Savea in Kobelco Steelers and Kwagga Smith in Shizuoka BlueRevs. The phrase “Toyota’s number 7” carries both respect for those who came before and personal pride.

“If I’m being used in matches, I have to keep building step by step. It’s not something that suddenly blossoms. I have to be stricter with myself.”

The days of hard training continue.

What this match taught was something simple: can all 15 players maintain a strong attacking mindset for the full 80 minutes? What everyone longs for lies beyond that.