Japan Rugby League One

Ex-All Black Richie Mo’unga leads Brave Lupus to dramatic Japan Rugby League One final win

Published

2 years ago

26th May 2024

In a thrilling Japan Rugby League One final, the Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, led by ex-All Black Richie Mo’unga, secured a dramatic 24-20 victory over the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in front of a massive crowd of 57,000 at Tokyo’s National Stadium.The Wild Knights, boasting the talents of Springboks stars Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager, fell just short in their bid for a seventh title.

Fijian-born winger Jone Naikabula was the star of the show for the Brave Lupus, scoring two tries and setting up the match-winning try for replacement centre Yuto Mori in the 74th minute. Naikabula’s individual brilliance earned him the man-of-the-match honours, as he consistently threatened the Wild Knights’ defence throughout the game.

Embed from Getty Images

The Wild Knights, coached by Robbie Deans, dominated the match’s early stages but could only manage two penalty goals from flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda. Brave Lupus, under the guidance of former All Blacks captain Todd Blackadder, weathered the early storm and took the lead through Naikabula’s controversial first try in the 27th minute, which Mo’unga converted.

Naikabula’s second try came just before halftime, following a yellow card to Wallabies star Marika Koroibete for a high tackle on the Fijian winger. With a numerical advantage, the Brave Lupus extended their lead to 17-6 early in the second half.

Embed from Getty Images

The Wild Knights fought back with tries from Ben Gunter and Taiki Koyama, taking a 20-17 lead with just ten minutes remaining. However, Naikabula’s incredible sideline dash set up Mori’s decisive try, putting the Brave Lupus ahead for good.

Despite the best efforts of de Allende and de Jager, who have been standout performers for the Wild Knights this season, the Brave Lupus’ resilience and determination proved too much in the end. De Jager, who narrowly missed out on the title last year, will be disappointed not to have secured the trophy this time around.

Embed from Getty Images

In a dramatic conclusion, the Wild Knights thought they had won the match when Tomoki Osada crossed the line in the 89th minute. However, the try was disallowed due to a forward pass from retiring veteran Shota Horie in the build-up, ending his 16-year career in heartbreaking fashion.

The victory marked the Brave Lupus’ sixth title in Japan’s professional era, drawing them level with the Wild Knights. It also provided Todd Blackadder with his first championship as a coach, having previously come close during his time with the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Embed from Getty Images

Mo’unga’s leadership and experience proved vital for the Brave Lupus, as he guided the team to their first title since the 2009-10 season. The All Black flyhalf and teammates Shannon Frizell and Michael Leitch played a crucial role in the team’s success throughout the season.

Up Next

Suntory Sungoliath confirm James Lowe signing on two-year deal

Click to comment

Japan Rugby League One

Suntory Sungoliath confirm James Lowe signing on two-year deal

Published

5 days ago

27th July 2026

rugbyisthegame

Suntory Sungoliath confirm James Lowe signing on two-year deal

Ireland's James Lowe during the 2026 Guinness Six Nations Championship Round 2 game between Ireland and Italy in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Photo by Dan Clohessy / Inpho)

Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath have confirmed the signing of former Ireland and Leinster wing James Lowe on a two-year deal, with the 34-year-old replacing Springbok World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe in the Japan Rugby League One club’s squad.

Suntory Sungoliath has officially announced the signings of Irelands’s James Lowe & teenage Aussie lock Ed Kasprowicz

📸 Suntory Sungoliath ©#rugbyjp pic.twitter.com/dckEp0twG6

— 🇯🇵 RugbyJP.com (@rugbyjpcom) July 27, 2026

Kolbe is heading back to the DHL Stormers, where he will reunite with close friend and former South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, and Lowe has been brought in to fill the void left by the electrifying South African’s departure.

Lowe, who earned 45 caps for Ireland and made 102 appearances for Leinster during a nine-year spell in Irish rugby, departed the province at the end of the 2025–26 season after failing to agree a new contract. He joins former All Blacks captain Sam Cane and Toulouse scrum-half Naoto Saito at the Japanese capital club.

In a statement released on the club’s website, Lowe expressed his excitement at the move.

“To everyone in the Suntory Sungoliath family, my family and I are incredibly excited to begin this new chapter of our lives in Japan. I have some very special memories from playing there,” he said.

“I have always admired the passion for rugby, the respect shown both on and off the field, and the pride people take in representing their team. I am looking forward to learning more about Japan and its culture. It is a huge honour to join such a prestigious club.”

Lowe added that he intended to make an immediate impact in his new surroundings.

“I will do everything I can to earn the trust of my teammates, coaches and supporters. I want to bring energy, physicality and a positive attacking mindset to the team. I can’t wait to get stuck in! I can’t wait to meet you all! Yatte Minahare.”

The two-year contract, which runs until 2028, effectively ends any prospect of Lowe featuring for Ireland at next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia. While head coach Andy Farrell has not explicitly shut the door on an international return, the IRFU has not selected an overseas-based player since Johnny Sexton during his stint with Racing 92 in 2015.

Lowe’s departure is part of a significant changing of the guard at Leinster. Scrum-half Luke McGrath, fly-half Ciarán Frawley, and flanker Will Connors have also left the province this summer, while head coach Leo Cullen has confirmed he will step down at the end of the 2026–27 campaign.

During his time in Ireland, the New Zealand-born winger scored a club-record 71 tries for Leinster, won the Investec Champions Cup in 2018, and claimed six United Rugby Championship titles. He was also part of Ireland’s Grand Slam-winning squad in 2023 and represented the British and Irish Lions in last year’s series victory over the Wallabies.