Tokyo Hosts Massive Weekend of Rugby with JRLO Finals

Tokyo played host to a huge weekend of finals rugby as the NTT Japan Rugby League One Third-Place Final and Final were held in the Capital on 6 and 7 June respectively. The two matches drew a combined crowd of close to 65,000 fans, with Tokyo Sungoliath taking on Saitama Wild Knights at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in the battle for third place, before Kobelco Kobe Steelers and Kubota Spears contested the Championship decider at Tokyo’s National Stadium the following day.

The weekend provided a fitting conclusion to another highly competitive JRLO season, showcasing the quality of Japan’s premier domestic rugby competition with two compelling finals matches played in front of sizeable and passionate crowds.

Saturday’s Third-Place Final saw two of the league’s most consistent performers square off after both had fallen short in the Semi-Finals. Tokyo Sungoliath and Saitama Wild Knights entered the match eager to finish their campaigns on a positive note after spending much of the season among the competition’s leading sides.

For the Wild Knights, it was an opportunity to salvage something from a campaign in which they had looked like major contenders for the title. Having finished strongly during the regular season, Saitama entered the playoffs as one of the favourites before their narrow 24-26 defeat to Kubota in their Semi-Final. Sungoliath, meanwhile, were aiming to continue their resurgence under a squad featuring a mix of established internationals and emerging Japanese talent.

The intensity of the contest reflected the pride and passion of both clubs. While the title was no longer within reach, the match offered one final opportunity to reward their loyal supporters and finish the season on a high. In the end, Saitama Wild Knights claimed third place with a hard-fought 26-19 victory in front of 14,280 spectators.

Attention then shifted to Japan’s National Stadium on Sunday as more than 50,000 spectators gathered for the League One Final between Kubota Spears and Kobelco Kobe Steelers, two clubs seeking to add another chapter to their proud histories.

The Final delivered a dramatic conclusion to the JRLO season, with Kobe holding their nerve in a tense and absorbing contest to claim the title. A disciplined defensive performance and clinical finishing saw the Steelers emerge 22-13 winners over the Spears, securing their first League One championship and ending a lengthy wait for silverware for one of Japanese rugby’s traditional powerhouse clubs.

The triumph was also a significant milestone for Head Coach Dave Rennie. The former Wallabies Coach, and incoming All Blacks Head Coach, guided Kobe through a challenging playoff campaign and was rewarded with the club’s first League One crown, adding another major achievement to an already distinguished coaching career.

The match itself highlighted the depth of talent now playing in Japan. International stars from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and beyond lined up alongside some of Japan’s leading internationals and emerging talents, creating a spectacle that reflected JRLO’s increasingly global profile. From the traditional surrounds of Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium to the spectacular size and grandeur of the National Stadium, the two finals showcased the passion of Japanese rugby supporters and the continuing growth of the professional game in Japan.

Following the conclusion of another epic JRLO season, attention now shifts to the Japan National Team as they prepare for the inaugural Nations Championship. Kicking off over three consecutive weekends from Saturday, July 4, Japan will first host Italy at Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo. They will then face Ireland in Newcastle, Australia on July 11, before returning to Japan to host France at the National Stadium in Tokyo on July 18. Prior to that, the JAPAN XV will play host to the Māori All Blacks in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2026 on June 27 in Nagoya and Japan U20 will feature at the World Rugby Junior World Championship 2026 in Georgia where they will face New Zealand, Italy and Scotland in Pool B.