Ex-Test coaches set to renew rivalry in Japan Rugby League One arena

Steve Hansen never coached against Kobelco Kobe Steelers’ Dave Rennie in the test arena.

But while the Toyota Verblitz Director rugby didn’t cross the two-time Super Rugby-winner’s path during his eight years in charge of New Zealand, Hansen’s sidekick Ian Foster did, and the former All Blacks coach will renew his rivalry with the ex-Wallabies boss when their teams clash on Saturday in Japan Rugby League One.

The Foster All Blacks won seven of the nine trans-Tasman tests against Rennie’s Wallabies between 2020 and 2022, with another drawn.

In what is already one of the most fascinating coaching duels in the season to date, a further twist has been added by the presence of Wallaby Michael Hooper in Hansen and Foster’s side.

Summoned out of retirement after Pieter Steph du Toit’s shoulder injury ruled out a return to Japan, Rennie’s former skipper resumes his career facing his old test coach.

In return, Rennie has the services of second rower Brodie Retallick, who played for him at the Chiefs, but made his 109 test appearances for the Hansen and Foster All Black regimes.

With such a storied background, the battle of wits between the coaches, and their respective teams, promises to be one of the highlights of Round Nine.

This is especially so given the inconsistency of both sides, with sixth-placed Kobe clinging onto the last playoffs position by a thread.

Verblitz languish 10th, one place above the relegation zone, and running out of chances to make a play for the end-of-season title series.

On the weekend where the competition reaches halfway, leaders Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and second-placed Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo should win against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo respectively.

It will be more complicated immediately below them, as third plays fourth when Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay host Shizuoka Blue Revs.

Having lost just once this season and playing at a venue where they are almost invincible, the Spears will fancy their chances at west Tokyo’s Edogawa Athletic Stadium.

The Blue Revs will arrive with plenty of swagger though, having taken just eight games to equal their six wins of last season, one of which was a 23-19 win over Saturday’s opponents.

Shizuoka could have won the return game as well, missing a conversion in the last play after they scored to level at 31-31.

Having Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx back after their talisman missed last season due to injury has made a big difference for the 2022-23 champions, while All Black winger Shaun Stevenson and Maori All Black scrumhalf Bryn Hall have settled into their new surroundings with ease.

Sunday will see Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, only two points from sixth, in position to strike should Kobe lose, when they host bottom-of-the-table Urayasu D-Rocks.

Mie Honda Heat could jump over both, should each fail while Kieran Crowley’s men back up last Sunday’s win over the Dynaboars, against Yokohama Canon Eagles.