Round 9 vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo

Toyota Verblitz faced last season’s champions, Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium in Round 9 of League One. Dominating the collision area from the opening stages, Verblitz recorded a resounding 52–21 victory, snapping a seven-match losing streak and claiming their second win of the season—their first since the opening round.

It was a long tunnel to emerge from. And they did it at their home ground, Mizuho, together with a large crowd of VOLTs, finally sharing a moment they had long been waiting for.

With the temperature at a spring-like 15°C, the stands were bathed in early signs of the season. From kickoff, the men in green attacked ferociously, each player stepping up physically. The opening try came in the 4th minute. Inside centre Siosaia Fifita powered forward, and flanker Keito Aoki burst through the defence near the goal line. The second try followed in the 25th minute, when Fifita finished after taking an instinctive pass from winger Taichi Takahashi. Whenever Verblitz carried the ball, they advanced step by step—each small gain linking seamlessly, building momentum like melting snow surging through a mountain stream, overwhelming the reigning champions.

Their dominance extended beyond the collision area to the scrum. Immediately after scoring first, Verblitz won a penalty by driving Toshiba backwards in the first scrum on opposition ball, seizing control of the match’s momentum.

“While focusing on mindset, we talked about fully executing our individual roles. Everyone had the determination to apply pressure here, and we were able to push through,” said prop Shogo Miura.

Two weeks earlier, Verblitz had suffered their sixth straight loss against Yokohama Canon Eagles. The following week, a players-only meeting became a turning point for the team.

“What changed was our resolve. We felt what we’d been doing wasn’t wrong, but we were frustrated about why results weren’t coming. In that meeting, we talked about how important it is to be meticulous in every small detail, and realizing that was a big step. Rugby is a sport where a single shift in mindset can change a team,” Miura reflected.

That mindset was most evident in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Leading 27–7 at the break, Verblitz conceded first after halftime, cutting the margin to 13 points—a period that had often haunted them in the past. This time, they stood united and pushed through.

In the 9th minute, fullback Tiaan Falcon won a penalty at the breakdown on opposition ball. From the ensuing kick to touch and lineout, lock Hingano Lolohea, No.8 Kazuki Himeno, and fly-half Rikiya Matsuda carried hard and directly toward the try line. After building through eight phases, winger Mark Tele’a surged forward, and scrum-half Aaron Smith was quick to support, diving over in the 13th minute. It was a try built by everyone, stretching the lead to 34–14.

The majority of the 8,199 spectators—VOLTs filling the stands—raised their towels and roared their support, driving the players on. It was a moment where the team and supporters truly became one.

The final score was 52–21. Player of the Match honors went to fly-half Rikiya Matsuda, who landed five conversions and four penalty goals. It was the first time Verblitz had scored over 50 points in a victory since their 54–40 win over Sagamihara DynaBoars in Round 3 of the 2023–24 season.

After the match, head coach Steve Hansen praised the performance highly, saying, “This is the kind of performance we’ve been chasing all season.” Captain Kazuki Himeno echoed that sentiment.

“I’m extremely satisfied. I’m proud of the effort this team has put in,” he said.

Toshiba head coach Todd Blackadder and captain Michael Leitch both opened their press conference by congratulating Verblitz.

“First of all, congratulations on the win. Toyota were a team that deserved victory today,” said Blackadder.

“Playing in a nearly full Mizuho and seeing so many Toyota fans celebrating the win—it was a good game for Toyota,” added Leitch.

Longtime rivals who have battled physically since the Top League era, Toshiba were clear about the reason for defeat.

“Toshiba has always prided itself on never losing the physical battle, and today we lost that against Toyota. Rugby’s foundation is physicality and collision. When you drift away from that, this is the kind of game you get,” Leitch admitted.

Leitch also exchanged words with Himeno, his longtime Japan national team teammate.

“Before the match, we talked about how Toshiba were at the bottom of the table a few years ago and eventually came back. I didn’t expect Toyota’s revival to come in this match,” he said.

He continued, “With nine games remaining, experiencing a match like this will become a springboard going forward.” Even in defeat, the champions’ pride remained intact.

With the league now at its halfway point, Verblitz’s pursuit begins anew.

“We will rise up from here, from Mizuho,” declared captain Himeno.

Next up is Sagamihara DynaBoars, a team that handed Verblitz two defeats last season.

“After the kind of game we played last week, we followed it up with a good performance this week. What matters now is what kind of game we show next. Our true strength will be tested. We want to show our toughness once again,” said flanker Akihito Okui.

They once stared into the depths. Now, they will show the strength to climb back up.