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What to watch in men’s rugby: League One final rematch in Japan

TOKYO, JAPAN - MAY 26: Jone Naikabula of Toshiba Brave Lupus fends off Ben Gunter of Panasonic wild Knights during the NTT Japan Rugby League One Play-Off Final between Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo at National Stadium on May 26, 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

The top two in the Japan Rugby League One standings go head-to-head in Saitama on Sunday, and you can watch all the action live and for free via RugbyPass TV.

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Unbeaten hosts Saitama Wild Knights have started the season on fire, averaging more than five tries per match in their six successive victories so far.

That run continued last weekend as former New Zealand U20 winger Vince Aso scored two of his side’s seven tries in a 53-26 defeat of Urayasu D-Rocks at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.

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Lomu -The Lost Tapes – Jonah stories | RPTV

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Lomu -The Lost Tapes – Jonah stories | RPTV

Featuring never-before-seen footage, Jonah Lomu shares his story and how he escaped gang violence to become the planet’s most iconic rugby player. Watch the full documentary on RugbyPass TV and via the RugbyPass app

It means the Wild Knights have not suffered a competitive defeat since last May’s League One final but the team that beat them in that match, Brave Lupus Tokyo, are this Sunday’s visitors.

Brave Lupus remain the team to beat in Conference A, their sole defeat so far this season coming against Shizuoka BlueRevs last month.

The defending champions recovered from that loss last weekend, as four second-half tries helped them to a 35-12 victory at Mie Heat.

A second consecutive win could lift them level on points with the Wild Knights and would prove a considerable psychological blow in the race for the title.

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Fixture
Japan Rugby League One
Saitama Wild Knights
28 - 28
Full-time
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
All Stats and Data

The last time the teams met at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium, 11 months ago, 14 points from Richie Mo’unga proved to be in vain as the Wild Knights ran out 36-24 victors.

The tables would be turned in the final in Tokyo two months later, however, as a brace of tries from Jone Naikabula helped Brave Lupus to a 24-20 victory and the title.

You can find out who takes the spoils when the sides meet for the first time in 2025 this Sunday, except in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and sub-Saharan Africa.

Sunday, February 9

05:20 GMT – Saitama Wild Knights v Brave Lupus Tokyo, Kumagaya Rugby Stadium – WATCH LIVE HERE

Unseen footage lifts lid on Lomu rise

Lomu: The Lost Tapes lifts the curtain on the rise of rugby’s first global superstar via previously unseen footage and the memories of some of those closest to him.

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Between 2001 and 2005, Jonah Lomu gave a film crew access to his life and shone a light on his remarkable journey from South Auckland to the All Blacks and beyond.

Narrated by Lomu’s friend and former teammate, Sean Fitzpatrick, the documentary gives rugby fans unrivalled insight into his inspirational story.

Watch Lomu: The Lost Tapes now via RugbyPass TV

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Anendra Singh 1 hour ago
Super Rugby Pacific's greatest season stained by one playoff game

I wrote posts on this on two rugby union FB platforms on June 9 (NZ time). I took it further to not only label this QF a “dead rubber” but also if the two sides had manufactured a win, with the Blues taking a raincheck on paying back the Chiefs in a future season, when a bottle neck arises.

Speculation? Indeed, but worth it to inject some credibility in SRP. With flagging interest in what has been a weak SRP, there needs to be some meaningful discussions around what needs to be done to make SRP a platform to select ABs/Wallabies from.

Now, I had reactions of “conspiracy theories” but it basically questions the motive of a repechage “Lucky Loser” facet because it only opens the playoffs to manipulation. It’s called the knockout stage for a reason. You snooze; you lose. No sweeteners required.

The only reason organisers opted for the Top 6 is for a revenue-gathering exercise but, it seems, it has backfired. The 8 qualifying format was a joke, akin to the Blues losing so many games and still making the playoffs. That smacks of the previous seasons’ dilemma.

It’s also worth noting some pool games were questionable because elite teams had done their homework on what boxes to tick for wins and which ones to forfeit. For example, Chiefs and Tahs had not performed in Lautoka against Fijian Drua on what is perceived to be a hostile pitch. Tahs had rested all Wallabies and marquee players.

The only option to retain integrity in SRP is to make to a Top 4. Cut your losses to win back the fans’ faith.

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frandinand 5 hours ago
The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

My favorite wine used to be Shiraz and I also enjoy a nice malbec. But having discovered quality pinots my preferences have definitely changed. Sorry Nic. But the great red wines of the world are pinots. The problem is being able to afford them. A friend in NZ sent me this list of their top 25 across regions prices and styles Hope you can source some of them Carlos.

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