Taichi Takahashi: “We feel like everyone is enjoying playing rugby” 

Toyota Verblitz announced their lineup for the Round 15 League One match against Kobelco Kobe Steelers on April 18. The squad remains unchanged from the previous round’s victory over Kubota Spears,and fly-half Rikiya Matsuda will reach the milestone of 100 caps.

Two days before the match, training was held under a clear blue sky and was open to the public for the first time this season, drawing more than 160 fans despite it being a weekday.

At the pre-match press conference, co-head coach Ian Foster, lock Lourens Erasmus, wing Taichi Takahashi, and other experienced forwards and backs were in attendance.

In the previous match against the Spears, it was Erasmus who gave the team momentum right after kickoff. In the 9th minute of the first half, he charged down a kick from opposing fullback Shaun Stevenson. He then immediately followed up with an ankle tap on fly-half Bernard Foley, who was trying to recover the ball—a sequence of plays that epitomized dedication.

“The kick from Stevenson wasn’t very high, so I saw a chance and went for the charge. Foley initially tried to kick as well, but he didn’t notice me, so I went all out with the ankle tap.”

As a result, they gained a scrum, which led to wing Mark Tele’a scoring a try in the 12th minute.

“I think we were able to bring the flow of the game in our favor as a team.”

Co-head coach Ian Foster also praised Erasmus, calling him “a driving force that enables the team to perform at a top level.”

At the start of the season, Pieter-Steph du Toit was playing at lock, but he was sidelined with an injury after the Round 3 match against the Steelers Erasmus took over the position and has since started every match. This will be his first matchup against the Steelers key player, lock Brodie Retallick.

“He’s a fantastic player. He’s also one of the top try-scorers. I’m looking forward to playing against him.”

Lock/ Flanker Hingano Lolohea will be facing the Steelers for the first time. While their combination has been a factor in the team’s strong form, Foster emphasized team play, saying, “For them to perform well, it takes the whole team.” He added confidently, “What happened in the previous matchup isn’t very important. The Spears also lost at first (10–39).”

In the backline, Taichi Takahashi has been a consistent presence. He missed Round 13 due to an HIA (Head Injury Assessment) but returned in the following match against the Spears. 

“The opposition has many good kickers. We want to build Toyota’s game starting from the back three and make sure we don’t lose the territorial battle.”

Now 30 years old, Takahashi says he can feel the team’s recent fulfillment.

“Moments like enjoying the atmosphere in the locker room after a win, singing songs together—that’s when I feel glad to be playing rugby. I can feel that everyone is enjoying playing rugby.”

With four consecutive matches ahead, the team now faces a crucial stretch as they aim for a top-six finish. Foster reflected, “A tight competition is something to welcome. Six weeks ago, we couldn’t have imagined this situation.” He added, “Around this time last year, we were hungry just to avoid finishing last. Over the next four weeks, we want to keep that positive hunger.”

This decisive stretch in the battle for the top is exactly what the whole team wants. They hope to carry this momentum through to the final round.