Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo fly-half Isaac Lucas spoke to RugbyJP.com following the Komazawa side’s impressive 59 – 22 victory over Toshiba Brave Lupus on Saturday.
The former Australia u20 international, 25, resisted overtures from Europe to leave Queensland Reds and join his older brother Matt at the Rams in 2020.
Since arriving in Japan during the pandemic, the former World Rugby U20 Championship runner-up has become an integral member of the first-team.
Lucas has built a reputation of being one of League One’s most creative and consistent players despite the Rams’ lowly finishes in recent seasons.
The club, who finished 10th last term, only retained their spot in Japan’s top-flight after winning a two-legged relegation play-off against division two outfit NEC Green Rockets.
Despite enduring a testing season, Lucas posted remarkable numbers across the board.
Ricoh’s quick-thinking playmaker, whose the youngest of four brothers who have all played professional rugby, was second for ball carries last season (211), third for metres gained (1,122), first for defenders beaten (86) and first for off-loads (31).
Lucas was up to his magic on Saturday as he inspired the Rams to a comprehensive win over champions Toshiba.
“It was quite an open game, it was important that we got off to a good start and despite the first 10-15 minutes not really going according to plan, I thought we regained control and played some pretty good footy,” said the standout who scored two tries in front of the 1,425-strong crowd.
Todd Blackadder’s Toshiba were missing leading names such as captain Michael Leitch, Richie Mo'unga, Shannon Frizell and Jacob Pierce, who watched from the stands, while a host of players such as Warner Dearns, Jone Naikabula and Takuro Matsunaga were in Europe with Japan's national side, the Brave Blossoms.
The Rams were close to full strength and welcomed back Japan international Amato Fakatava’s twin brother Talau Samurai Fakatava who played his first rugby since 2023 after fracturing his tibia and fibula.
Toshiba produced an error-strewn first-half display at a windswept Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium as Lucas pulled the strings for the hosts.
“Toshiba won League One last season but they were missing some key players. We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves, we thought it was a good team performance. We showed the attacking brand of rugby that we want to play this year and we scored a few points as well.”
The Rams’ coaching setup - which includes former New Zealand and Fiji international Tabai Matson as head coach, ex-All Blacks prop Carl Hoeft as forwards coach and Lucas’ older brother Matt as an assistant coach - had a clear message for their charges against the League One winners.
“Toshiba pride themselves on being physical so it was very important for us to not only match it but to compete hard with them hard in that element it and off that to be direct and earn the right to play some footy. That first 20 minutes was a grind but then we started to get the passes away and to play some good footy.”
The hosts led 35-10 at the break and introduced former England international Nathan Hughes for some added muscle.
Toshiba built up some territory following the introduction of former All Black Seta Tamanivalu who scored in 67th minute to register his team’s first points of the second period.
The Rams finished with a flourish after Fakatava’s replacement Brodi McCurran, the older brother of Japan international Nicholas McCurran, charged down an attempted clearance from the visitors for an easy score that summed up a torrid day for Toshiba.
“Pre-season is always a unique with different players involved,” said Lucas.
“For us it’s about getting some consistency in our play and building on games. We’ve had a few good wins recently and we’ll look to build on that and we have Yokohama Canon Eagles and the Dynaboars to come next.”
The Rams are building momentum after recording three pre-season wins in a row (v Kintetsu Liners, Kyuden Voltex and now Toshiba) and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of All Blacks star TJ Perenara in December.
Former World Cup winner Perenara, 32, has inked a three-year contract with the Rams to return to Japanese club rugby after spending a season with NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Osaka in 2021.
Lucas was able to train with incoming scrum-half Perenara when the All Blacks trained at the Rams’ facility in Futako Tamagawa before they played the Brave Blossoms in October.
“It was a very cool experience to train with the All Blacks and especially TJ,” said Lucas.
“I’m really looking forward to teaming up with him. He brings a wealth of knowledge and he’s been a professional athlete for a long time, he’s got attacking flair and you saw how much he contributed when he was at Docomo (Red Hurricanes Osaka). He’s going to have a very positive impact on the team.”
Perenara led the Haka against Italy on Sunday in his swansong for the All Blacks in his 89th appearance for his country and is due to arrive in Japan in early December ahead of the season opener against Franco Mostert and Pablo Matera’s Honda Heat on 21 December.
While Perenara’s title-laden Test career is now behind him, Lucas may finally make the step-up to the international arena in 2025.
The Australian has long been a name on the lips of Japanese fans while supporters of the resurgent Wallabies have not given up hope of seeing the 25-year-old return home.
Lucas will become eligible to represent the Brave Blossoms – based on residency grounds – in 2025.
"I think it’s five years from when I first got here so potentially around September 2025 is when I qualify.”
While that opportunity may present itself, the Rams’ key figure is only thinking about the fortunes of his club.
“It’s probably something I’m not too focused on right now because I know I’m not eligible. It’s a cliche but I’m just looking forward to playing some good footy with the Black Rams and trying to have a good season.”
Lucas confirmed that he has not been approached by anyone from Japan’s coaching setup.
“No, I haven’t had any dialogue with their coaching team.”
Lucas made four starts for Queensland Reds in Super Rugby from 2019-2020 and has not ruled out a return to play in his homeland.
"I wouldn’t say the door is closed (to going back to Australia) but I am really enjoying my footy here.
“I feel the competition is improving every year which is a big reason for me staying here. I’m very happy here at the moment. The last couple of years haven’t been the best seasons for us so I want to be a part of the turnaround here at the Black Rams.”
Lucas has one goal for the fourth League One season and it’s an ambitious target.
“My goal is to play finals footy here with the Black Rams.”
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