Brave Blossoms End Year on a High with Tbilisi Win

The Brave Blossoms have ended their 2025 season in the best possible way following their hard-fought, two-point victory over Georgia in Tbilisi. In an encounter that was both highly physical and entertaining, Japan held on for a gritty 23-25 win following a penalty kick on the final siren.

While the Brave Blossoms led the match from the tenth to the 78^th minute, the Lelos where always in the fight, taking a one-point lead following a converted try in the dying moments of the match. It looked as if Eddie Jones’ men would see a repeat of their heartbreaking, last-minute loss to Wales the weekend before in Cardiff, but this time it was Japan’s day.

With two minutes left on the clock, Japan had one more chance to attack the Georgian line and attack they did. Securing the ball from the restart, they retained possession and patiently made their way up the field, edging forward with every phase of attack. In the final ruck off the game, a Georgian player was deemed to have played the ball on the ground, handing Japan a kickable penalty just outside the 22.

Flyhalf Seungsin Lee, who enjoyed a 100% perfect day kicking from the tee, stepped up and slotted the goal, giving Japan a two-point win and handing them their fifth win from 11 test matches in 2025. After five straight tests in as many weeks and following close losses to Fiji, Australia and Wales, the Brave Blossoms were clearly delighted as they celebrated the win.

While Japan deserved the result, credit must also go to Georgia who fought valiantly throughout the match and came close to securing victory. As an emerging rugby nation like Japan, the Lelos and their fans have much to be proud of in the development of the unique and typical style of Georgian play. Increasingly, their renowned physicality up front is being complemented by a skilful, abrasive and intelligent backline.

For Japan, 2025 marked the second year of Eddie Jones’ tenure in his second stint as Head Coach. Having come in and completely rebuilt his team from the ground up, the green shoots of his bold approach are starting to show. The clearest example of this being the increased defensive starch that has been a feature of the team across the year. Japan’s defence in both open play and when defending their tryline has become a real and bankable strength.

Handing the captaincy to 23-year-old lock Warner Dearns two years out from the next World Cup has also been a masterstroke. Already one of Japan’s best players, assuming the leadership duties has added another dimension to his game as he has comfortably taken on the baton from the peerless Michael Leitch.

2025 has also revealed increasing depth in key areas of the squad. The front row in particular has seen the emergence of several high-quality props and hookers, with an enviable level of depth across one, two and three. Furthermore, Jones will be increasingly pleased with several standout performers in his backline who are contributing to growing combinations in the halves, centres and back three.  

Having made major advances in their defence, one area which will be a focus in 2026 will be their ability to convert attacking pressure into more points on the scoreboard. As an emerging rugby nation fielding a young and inexperienced team, playing against top-five sides is always going to be a challenge. If Japan can find a way to get more pay from their attack, they can start winning their close-run matches while also offering the heavyweights of world rugby a more formidable challenge.

Commenting after the Georgia match, Brave Blossoms Head Coach Eddie Jones said:

“Given the similarities to the Wales game, we were really pleased with the win and that we handled the last three minutes of the game well – it’s great for the growth of this team. The captaincy of Warner in the final minutes was outstanding, so we’re very pleased with that result.

“We practise these scenarios at training, executing in the game when we’re under pressure. We did that well today and that was the difference, executing under pressure. That final penalty was a fantastic kick by Seungsin, particularly when he doesn’t kick a lot for his own club team. It was a wonderful kick.”

With the 2025/26 Japan Rugby League One season kicking off in mid-December, the Brave Blossoms will enjoy a short break before resuming duties with their respective club teams. Captain Warner Dearns will take a break from the JRLO in 2026 as he joins the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific. The entire Japanese rugby family wish him the very best for his move to New Zealand and look forward to welcoming him back ahead of the 2026 international season.

Japan National Team 2025 Match Results

Saturday 5 July
Japan vs Wales
24-19 (W)
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu

Saturday 12 July
Japan vs Wales
22-31 (L)
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
Noevir Stadium, Kobe

Saturday 30 August
Japan vs Canada
57-15 (W)
Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (Pool B)
Yurtec Stadium, Sendai

Saturday 6 September
USA vs Japan
21-47 (W)
Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (Pool B)
Heart Health Park, Sacramento

Sunday 14 September
Japan vs Tonga
62-24 (W)
Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Semi-Final
DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Denver

Saturday 20 September
Japan vs Fiji
27-33 (L)
Pacific Nations Cup 2025 Final
America First Field, Salt Lake City

Saturday 25 October
Japan vs Australia
15-19 (L)
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
National Stadium, Tokyo

Saturday 1 November
Japan vs South Africa
7-61 (L)
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Wembley Stadium, London

Saturday 8 November
Ireland vs Japan
41-10 (L)
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Saturday 15 November
Wales vs Japan
24-23 (L)
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Saturday 22 November
Georgia vs Japan
23-25 (W)
Lipovitan D Tour 2025
Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi