Rams captain Perenara lauds Suntory’s Kolbe ahead of quarter-final

Blacks Rams Tokyo’s World Cup-winning captain TJ Perenara lauded Suntory Sungoliath full-back Cheslin Kolbe as one of the best players in the world ahead of their League One quarter-final next week.

Perenara, who was speaking at the Japan Rugby League One (JRLO) Play-Offs Media Conference in Akihabara, Tokyo, on Thursday afternoon, identified the Springboks superstar - who finished the regular season as the top points scorer - as the greatest threat posed by their Tokyo rivals.

Surprise package Black Rams’ livewire scrum-half featured in Tabai Matson’s 39-22 loss to Suntory on Sunday – in the final round of the regular season – as the Kolbe-powered hosts completed the double against their neighbours.

“They’ve got some amazing backs, including one of the best players in the world in Cheslin Kolbe,” said the 80-Test All Black.

“When he gets going, he’s really difficult to stop.

“We have to execute our game plan to the best of our ability and whatever the consequences are, we’ll live with them.”

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New Zealand legend Perenara is looking forward to facing his long-time All Blacks teammate and Suntory captain Cane, who also signed off from Test rugby in New Zealand’s win against Italy in 2024, at Tokyo’s Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Saturday 23 May.

“I’ve been lucky enough to know Sam for a long time,” said Perenara.

“We grew up playing the game together and we started our pro careers at the same time. "I’ve got a lot of time for Sam as a man and as a footy player. I was lucky enough to be captained by him with the All Blacks and I saw the impact he had on me and the team."

“We’ve often played against each other in games. I know the impact he can give not just in the regular games but also in the post-season. I’m looking forward to another battle against my old mate. Playing against each other in another county is a pleasure for us, it’s something we really appreciate.

“Suntory won both games against us this season, they're a really strong side and we’re under no illusions, their pack sets the standard for them.”

Ex-All Blacks captain and 2015 World Cup winner Cane said: “We’ve known each other for a long time, since we were 15 or 16, our All Blacks careers were in parallel, we also played each other a lot for the Chiefs and the Hurricanes, I thought I was getting away from him coming here (laughs).

“He’s led the Rams really well this season. It’s a bit unique having played each other last week. It’s play-off time, it’s all on the line and I’m looking forward to it,” added the Test rugby centurion who was rested on Sunday.

Cane was asked about the possibility of locking horns with the top-flight's top try scorer and his former Chiefs and international teammate Brodie Retallick, who has starred for Kobe, in the semi-finals.

“It adds an extra element to come up against players you’ve known for a long time but we won't look ahead to a possible game against Kobe, we have to focus on playing our best rugby in the quarter-final next weekend."

Cane picked out countryman and former Chiefs colleague Kaleb Trask as their key player in the quarter-finals.

“Kaleb Trask is going to be very important for us since he’s our 10. If he can have a big game that’s going to help our case,” the back-rower said of the ex- Māori All Blacks pivot who scored two tries on Sunday.

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Kobe Steelers vice-captain and Japan fly-half Lee Seung-sin represented new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie’s table-topping side who are looking to emulate their Dan Carter-inspired class of 2018 who won the Top League.

Seung-sin, whose side will meet the winners of the Rams versus Suntory quarter-final in the first semi-final on 30 May, outlined their strengths and hailed his ageless captain Retallick.

“We are playing under the banner of Kobe Rugby, and our strength lies in finding space in front of us and continuously carrying the ball,” said the Brave Blossoms’ first-choice number 10.

“Throughout this season, Brodie’s performances has undoubtedly had a positive impact on the team, and as a captain, he truly leads the team both on and off the field. I hope he continues to do so for the team.”

In the second quarter-final reigning champions Toshiba Brave Lupus, who have underperformed with 10 defeats in 18 games including a heavy 46-0 loss away against Saitama on Saturday, will face Frans Ludeke’s Kubota Spears at Chichibunomiya in a rematch from last year’s nail-biting final.

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Japan great Leitch, 37, who is targeting a record-equalling fifth World Cup campaign next year, provided an honest assessment of his team’s below-par season as they’ve failed to reach the heights of their back-to-back title-winning campaigns.

“It was truly a tough season with a seven-game losing streak in the middle of the season and we scored zero points in the first round and the last round games,” said the age-defying Toshiba skipper.

“Our strengths were our mall, our set-piece, and in the contact area, but honestly, we haven't been able to bring out our strengths consistently throughout this season. What we want to show in our next match is our experience and strength in a one-off showdown, and we want to combine these two to compete."

Leitch knows what to expect from a heavy-hitting Kubota side and named fit-again centre Taichi Mano as someone who could have a major role to play in their lofty aim of delivering an unprecedented ‘three-peat’ for the Fuchu faithful.

“Kubota are a big side, they have many talented players in the backs, both wings can score tries, and there are strong players all through the side so we have the same impression of them as last year.

“Taichi Mano got injured midway through the season and was out for four months, but since his return, our performances have improved. Above all, his high work rate, his toughness, and reliability as a player make us look forward to his future success.”

Kubota captain Faulua Makisi, a Brave Blossoms teammate of Leitch, sees the quarter-final as the first of three season-defining games for the 2023 champions.

"We want to value each of the three matches one by one and ultimately aim to reach the final,” said the Tonga-born number eight who was won 23 caps for the Brave Blossoms.

“I think Toshiba is a wonderful team, and I truly believe it is an attacking team, so I think it is a really good challenge for us.”

The hard-working Tenri University graduate added: “I really want to battle firmly and relentlessly in the physical aspect, and then I want to continue showcasing our strengths in our set-pieces.”

Inaugural League One winners Saitama Wild Knights, who like Kobe have a quarter-final bye after finishing in the top-two, will take on the victors of the hotly-anticipated Toshiba versus Kubota clash.

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Saitama captain and stalwart Atsushi Sakate, who will welcome back world-class centres Dylan Riley and Damien de Allende for the knockout stages, sees their heart and team spirit as the foundation of their success in recent years.

"We have heart and passion in what we do. I want to show that and our spirit as well as our attacking intent. We will need to take on this challenge as a team and make sure we’re all connected in our mindset and execution.”

Stay tuned to RugbyJP.com for full, on-site coverage of the League One Play-offs