Dave Rennie is one of two former Australian coaches set to feature in the second round of the Japan Rugby League One playoffs. His Kobe Steelers will take on defending champions Brave Lupus Tokyo in the semi-finals, while Robbie Deans’ Saitama Wild Knights are set to face Bernard Foley’s Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay on Sunday. The Spears earned their spot by edging out Tokyo Sungoliath 20-15 in a tense finish.
Despite tries from former All Blacks captain Sam Cane and South African star Cheslin Kolbe, Sungoliath couldn’t overcome a string of handling errors and a 14-9 penalty deficit. Foley’s precise goal-kicking proved crucial — the Wallabies playmaker converted all three of his attempts, while Kolbe missed three of five for Sungoliath.
On Saturday, Rennie’s Kobe side pulled off an upset over the in-form Shizuoka Blue Revs, guided by Australian Sam Greene. In damp conditions in Osaka, ex-Chiefs flyhalf Bryn Gatland was instrumental for Kobe, setting up two of their four tries in the 35-20 quarter-final win.
Gatland’s standout moment came in the 73rd minute with a pinpoint cross-kick to Inoke Burua, who powered through Shizuoka fullback Futo Yamaguchi — giving Kobe a 29-20 lead. Gatland later added two penalty goals to seal the win, finishing with 13 points.
Shizuoka had earlier struck first through former Dolphins rugby league player Valynce Te Whare, who scored off a slick midfield play. But minutes later, he conceded a penalty try and was shown a yellow card for a high tackle while attempting to stop Kobe’s Kazuma Ueda from scoring.
Kobe now prepare for a challenging semi-final clash with Brave Lupus Tokyo on Saturday.
