While the usual ties between Super Rugby and Japan Rugby League One are via Kiwi talent heading north, one of Japan's brightest young talents may be on his way to return the favour.
The Brave Lupus was helped by a red card in the 59th minute from reserve Kobe Steelers prop Kauvaka Kaivelata, which gave the Todd Blackadder-coached Brave Lupus all of the momentum heading into the last quarter of the game.
TJ Perenara's new Japanese club Black Rams Tokyo took a big scalp by defeating Tokyo Sungoliath by 33-32 in the second round of Japan Rugby League One.
There was euphoria at one end of the field and heartbreak at the other as Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo won a dramatic final in Japan Rugby League One today, beating the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights 24-20.
A victory by the Wild Knights, who are unbeaten in 17 matches this season, would hand Deans his sixth title in Japan, one more than he won during his stellar career in Super Rugby with the Crusaders.
Silverware will be handed out in Tokyo and London this weekend, and RugbyPass TV will be there every step of the way.
Tokyo Sungoliath fell 28-20 to All Black Richie Mo'unga's Toshiba Brave Lupus in the second semi-final of Japan Rugby League One in Tokyo.
While both clubs are already semi-final-qualified, west Tokyo rivals Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo and Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath have a fierce rivalry that goes beyond the arrival of the semi-professional Top League in 2003.
Todd Blackadder’s Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo are through to the semi-finals of Japan Rugby League One after a thrilling 40-40 draw with Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Tokyo today.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane and Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe were part of a wild Japan Rugby League One fixture as the Tokyo Sungoliath won an epic 36-34 thriller
