League One champions Kubota Spears produced their best performance of the season as they came from behind to stun play-off contenders Yokohama with two late tries at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Friday.
Underperforming Kubota came into the game with five losses from nine games this season and have been hugely inconsistent despite retaining the majority of their squad from last season.
All Black great Dane Coles came out of retirement to replace the injured Malcolm Marx while Welsh full-back Liam Williams also joined Frans Ludeke’s side following the World Cup.
Injury-hit Kubota are still missing former Wallaby Bernard Foley due to an elbow injury and Williams while ex-Japan international Gerard van den Heever and Coles were both left of the squad against Yokohama.
Hosts Yokohama were without Springboks stars Faf de Klerk (knee) and Jessie Kriel (hand) but were able to call on fellow South African Rohan Janse van Rensburg who added some bulk and physicality to their midfield.
Kubota, who only lost one game in the regular season last year, found themselves in a must-win situation in order to keep alive their faint hopes of making a late run for the play-offs.
Kubota started the day in sixth position while Yokohama were fourth with only the top four teams advancing to the post-season play-offs.
Yokohama struck first after 10 minutes when Japanese winger Masaaki Takezawa crossed before Kubota hooker Skulk Erasmus charged over from close range.
Centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg restored his side’s lead as he registered with his second try in four games and is proving to be a shrewd replacement for injured compatriot Kriel.
Former judoka Viliame Takayawa extended Yokohama’s lead with a fine effort as he showcased his speed and finishing ability to cross on the right flank with a leap over the line after 39 minutes.
Takayawa, who qualifies for Japan on residency grounds, then crossed for the sixth time this campaign just two minutes into the second half.
The clinical winger, whose father Nacanieli Qerewaqa Takayawa won heavyweight judo gold at 2002 Commonwealth Games, is a Fijian flyer who will be on Eddie Jones’ radar for his first games back in charge of the Brave Blossoms this summer.
Yokohama led 26-13 with 16 minutes remaining and, while still on top in the game, looked to have built up an unassailable lead.
However, Kubota showed their grit and undeniable quality as they sparked a dramatic and scintillating turnaround with a late show which could turn their season around.
Fly-half Tomoki Kishioka scored his third try of the season to reinvigorate his team.
With four minutes left, Kubota were still 11 points behind but they pushed forward in numbers and their powerful pack overwhelmed Yokohama as replacement hooker Hayate Era muscled his way over the line.
Kubota wing Koga Nezuka, who boasts one cap for Japan, sensationally won it for the visitors in the 79th minute to complete an astounding comeback which had a healthy crowd gasping in Tokyo.
Full-back Yuhei Shimada converted the match-winning try as the buzzer sounded to seal a much-needed 29-26 victory for Kubota.
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