RD 5 PREVIEW: Team news, line-ups and comments
- Mark Pickering
- 2 minutes ago
- 18 min read
Japan’s all-action League One competition continues this weekend with the top-flight set for its fifth instalment this season.
Yokohama Canon Eagles (12th) v Saitama Wild Knights (2nd)
Mitsuzawa Stadium, Kanagawa - 12.00 KO
Ex-All Blacks assistant coach Leon MacDonald’s misfiring Yokohama Canon Eagles host undefeated Saitama Wild Knights in the round’s opening game on Saturday.
MacDonald’s side has tasted defeat at the hands of Shizuoka Blue Revs, Mitsubishi Dynaboars, Toshiba Brave Lupus and Urayasu D-Rocks and face a herculean task in trying to record their win first win of the campaign against the inaugural League One champions.
The hosts will look to Billy Harmon, who decided to leave the Highlanders for Japan after Scott Robertson was appointed as the All Blacks head coach, and Japan international Amanaki Saumaki for inspiration.
Former Māori All Blacks captain Harmon and number eight Saumaki, Yokohama’s ‘leaders’ alongside ex-captain Yusuke Kajimura, have shone despite the club’s disappointing start to the season.
The duo underlined their importance to the team against Urayasu last week with Harmon registering the most offloads (three) and the most tackles (19) while big-carrying Saumaki gained 97 metres (which was only matched by in-form opposition centre Samu Kerevi) and made 17 tackles.
Yokohama retains the same backline as MacDonald keeps his faith in rookie scrum-half Asahi Doei, who will only make his fifth appearance in the competition, and ageing former Japan fly-half Yu Tamura, 37, who was outperformed by his younger brother Hikaru Tamura in round four.
Captain Jesse Kriel leads the team while lively Japanese wing Kippei Ishida - accurately dubbed as the ‘new Cheslin Kolbe’ by Eddie Jones last year – offers a constant threat as he looks to register for the third consecutive game.
RugbyJP revealed that Kriel’s injured countryman Faf de Klerk has been de-registered and his Category C spot has gone to new recruit Liam Coltman. The 35-year-old ex-All Blacks hooker, who was playing for Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby last season, is set to make his debut off the bench after being named among the replacements.
New Saitama boss Atsushi Kanazawa has presided over an unbeaten start.
The Kumagaya side ruthlessly demolished champions Toshiba 46-0 and Mitsubishi 33-3 either side of a workmanlike 37-19 triumph against Urayasu.
Try-scoring tyro Kumsu Lee was the star last time out as they outlasted Shizuoka 37-22 at home. The 23-year-old scrum-half graduated from Teikyo University in 2024 and moved to Saitama as an early-entry player. Lee, whose younger brother Ji-soo is currently a student at Korea University and has played for the Japan U23 national team and the JAPAN XV, is on the verge of locking down the number nine jersey as he makes his third start in a row.
Fly-half maestro Takuya Yamasawa, who was the hero in round one’s stunning whitewash against Toshiba, returns to replace his younger brother Kyohei – who drops to the bench - for his first appearance in 2026.
Ex-Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete, now 33, looks refreshed after calling time on his Test career. The former Rebels powerhouse has gained 296 metres for his team and has contributed two tries in three games.
South Africa’s Damian de Allende and Japan-qualified Vince Aso continue in midfield in the absence of Japanese ace Dylan Riley who we revealed last week has undergone surgery for a fractured finger.
Springboks lock Lood de Jager will miss the entire season after undergoing surgery for a hip injury sustained on international duty on the end-of-year tour. He currently remains registered to play and is occupying a Category C spot which could lead Kanazawa to delve into the market and sign a replacement player with Test match experience.
Saitama boasts the meanest defence in the top-flight after conceding just 44 points in their first four games.
Yokohama lock Daichi Akiyama said: "I'm expected to use my physical strength in defence to stop the opponents and to carry the ball and get forward, and I think that's why I'm being used. The physical battle with the opponents is the key to success. I want to show my strengths in order to help the team win."
Yokohama (1-15): Takato Okabe, Shunta Nakamura, Ryosuke Iwaihara, Randall Baker, Daichi Akiyama, Dino Lamb, Billy Harmon, Amanaki Saumaki, Asahi Doei, Yu Tamura, Masayoshi Takezawa, Yusuke Kajimura, Jesse Kriel (c), Kippei Ishida, Yuto Mori
Replacements: Liam Coltman, Tomoki Minami, Tatsuro Sugimoto, Katsuto Kubo, Sione Halasili, Toshiki Amano, Yuragi Muto, Levi Aumua
Saitama (1-15): Craig Millar, Atsushi Sakate (c), Lisala Finau, Liam Mitchell, Jack Cornelsen, Ben Gunter, Lachlan Boshier, Viliami Afu Kaipouli, Kumsu Lee, Takuya Yamasawa, Marika Koroibete, Damian de Allende, Vince Aso, Koki Takeyama, Ryuji Noguchi
Replacements: Kenji Sato, Keita Inagaki, Taniela Vea, Esei Haangana, Juan Wilson, Shu Hagihara, Maurice Marks, Kyohei Yamasawa
Kobelco Kobe Steelers (3rd) v Black Rams Tokyo (7th)
Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium, Kobe - 12.05 KO
All eyes will be on 2023 World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea when Dave Rennie’s third-placed Kobe Steelers entertain TJ Perenara’s Black Rams Tokyo.
Savea, 32, has been in the headlines this week after the dismissal of All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson with reports from New Zealand suggesting that their centurion is mulling over his Test future.
An ever-present after returning to Japan for a second stint in Kansai, the former Hurricanes number eight scored a brace against his former All Blacks head coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s Toyota in round two.
Savea has been at his energetic best for once-beaten Kobe who responded to a narrow loss to Kubota by registering wins against Honda Heat, Toyota and Suntory Sungoliath. Their signature signing has made 70 tackles with only Toshiba counterpart Takeshi Sasaki surpassing that number (73).
Despite suffering a clash of heads just seconds into the game last week and a gruelling 80-minute shift in a an arm-wrestle of a contest against Sam Cane’s Suntory, the teak-tough Savea starts at openside-flanker.
Captain and 2014 World Player of The Year Brodie Retallick has been in imperious form this season and crossed for the third game in a row on his way to winning Player of the Match a week ago.
Tonga-born flanker Solomone Funaki, who moved to Japan at the age of 15 to study at Meguro Gakuin High School in Tokyo, replaces Waisake Raratubua at number eight as the Japan international falls to the replacements.
Rennie has plenty of back-up options in the dugout with high-quality South African flanker Willie Potgieter, marauding wing Ataata Moeakiola and reliable campaigner Michael Little among the options alongside Raratubua.
Seventh-placed play-off hopefuls Black Rams Tokyo have shown their character to recover from back-to-back defeats by getting their campaign up and running with wins over Honda and Toyota.
Tabai Matson’s hard-working side is superbly led by captain TJ Perenara who is embracing his role both on and off the field.
Ex-All Black Perenara, who has diligently been studying Japanese to be able to lead his team more effectively, has now established an exciting half-back partnership with Japan international Ichigo Nakakusu.
The former Keio University playmaker scored a career-best 22 points against Toyota with a try, four conversions and three penalties steering the Komozawa outfit to a rousing come-from-behind 39-27 win having trailed 29-10 at the break.
Former Wallabies flanker Liam Gill, 33, was prominent and crossed for his first try of the campaign while classy full-back and Japan hopeful Issac Lucas injected pace and precision at vital times.
Utility-back Taira Main, whose father is from New Zealand and his mother is Japanese, can play at fly-half, centre and full-back but has tied down the right-wing slot this season after two tries in his last two games.
The talented Japan international has comfortably filled the void left by last season’s first-choice wingers Semisi Tupou and Netani Vakayalia who joined Toyota and Toshiba respectively in the summer.
Black Rams number eight Samuel Waqabaca, a surprise starter in round three against Honda, said: “I was motivated, I had prepared well up. TJ (Perenara) always tells me, 'Even if you make a mistake, have confidence and think about the next job, and don't get discouraged.' Those words gave me confidence. I think that by just thinking about my own work, I was able to do the job I needed to do."
Kobe (1-15): Shigure Takao, Ash Dixon, Hiroshi Yamashita, Brodie Retallick (c), Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Tiennan Costley, Ardie Savea, Solomone Funaki, Itsuki Kamimura, Bryn Gatland, Inoke Burua, Lee Seung-sin, Anton Lienert-Brown, Kazuma Ueda, Kanta Matsunaga
Replacements: Sione Sime Mau, Hikaru Moriwaki, Sho Maeda, Waisake Raratubua, Willie Potgieter, Atsushi Hiwasa, Michael Little, Ataata Moeakiola
Black Rams (1-15): Yuichiro Taniguchi, Shin Ouchi, Daigo Sasagawa, Josh Goodhue, Reijiro Yamamoto, Shu Yamamoto, Liam Gill, Samuel Waqabaca, TJ Perenara (c), Ichigo Nakakusu, Daisuke Nishikawa, Yuki Ikeda, Larzlo Sword, Taira Main, Isaac Lucas
Replacements: Masashi Onishi, Kazuma Nishi, Paddy Ryan, Michael Allardice, Brodi McCurran, Toshiya Takahashi, Kotaro Ito, PJ Latu
Shizuoka Blue Revs (8th) v Mitsubishi Dynaboars (9th)
Yamaha Stadium - 13.00 KO
Yuichiro Fujii’s Shizuoka Blue Revs are looking to end a three-match losing streak when they host fellow strugglers Mitsubishi.
Kwagga Smith-powered Shizuoka confidently dispatched Yokohama to launch their season as Japan wing Malo Tuitama and South African centre Sylvian Mahuza were both at the double.
Smith, who joined the club in 2018 – the same year he made his Springboks debut - was rested for the win against Yokohama and was restored for the visits of Toshiba and Urayasu and the trip to Saitama last week.
Despite welcoming back their galvanising leader, who has arguably been the most consistent player among the South African contingent in Japan in the League One era, last season’s play-off quarter-finalists are without a win since the opening day.
The Rio 2016 Olympian, who plays with the same grit and determination for his club as he does for his country, will not be panicking after closely-contested defeats against champions Toshiba, surprise package Urayasu and three-time League One finalists Saitama.
Shizuoka has too much quality and know-how to slip into crisis mode and could benefit from tinkerman Fujii’s reshuffling of their backline.
The forwards remain unchanged while scrum-half Kodai Okazaki takes over from the supremely talented Japan international Shuntaro Kitamura who is among the replacements.
Tenri University graduate Makoto Tsutsuguchi, who is known for his long kicks and wide field of vision, has been handed his first start after making his debut off the bench a fortnight ago against Saitama in place of first-choice fly-half Kenta Iemura.
Former NRL wing Valynce Te Whare, who was a revelation in his maiden season in Japan last year, comes in for Malo Tuitama on the left flank with Mahuza slotting into the midfield for Tonga’s Charles Piutau who is among the replacements.
Fijian legend Semi Radradra has been a colossus in his two appearances to date for his new employers.
The well-travelled Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist scored against Yokohama in December and added a second to his account in round four.
Radradra, 33, who has plied his trade in Fiji, Australia, France, England and now Japan, has 11 offloads to his name despite only playing the full 80 minutes for the first time a week ago.
Known as the ‘Semi-Trailer', the hulking ex-Bristol centre has left Shizuoka fans in awe of his phenomenal power, dazzling footwork and handling skills.
Radradra produced a scintillating 56-minute cameo on his debut as he left the field with a five-pointer, two try assists and four offloads.
The rugby league convert crossed again against Saitama as he carried for 128 metres, beat eight opponents and made seven offloads.
Fans at the Yamaha Stadium will be confident that their midfield marvel can inspire them to a first home win of the season.
Glenn Delaney’s Mitsubishi sit one place behind their opponents in ninth position with the same return of one win from four games.
The Kanagawa side fell to an 81st-minute match-winning try against Urayasu in round one with their ill-discipline and a 77th-minute yellow card for South African prop Pieter Scholtz proving to be costly.
Mitsubishi delivered a much-improved display to best rivals Yokohama as they held firm for a 17-10 triumph despite Scholtz earning a straight red card in the 66th minute which saw him miss the back-to-back defeats against Saitama and Toshiba due to suspension.
Delaney fields a new front row for the trip to the south coast with Jun Morimoto, Yuki Miyazato and Scholtz replacing Changho Ahn, Seunghyok Lee and Shunsuke Asaoka.
Japan lock Epineri Uluiviti, who has the most carries this season (66), partners compatriot and Tokyo Olympian Jose Seru in the second-row with ex-All Black Jackson Hemopo dropping to the bench.
There are two changes in the backline with New Zealand veteran Brad Weber making his first start after coming on for his debut against Toshiba.
The former Stade Francais scrum-half, who turns 35 on Saturday, links up with ex-Canterbury fly-half Shun Miyake in a new and promising half-back pairing.
Full-back Satoshi Koizumi is preferred to James Grayson who falls to the bench and both will be hoping to impress with Japan international Semisi Masirewa close to returning to full fitness.
Matt Vaega is relishing his new role on the wing with three tries already to his name and will offer the visitors’ greatest attacking threat.
Radradra said: "If everyone has a different mindset, we can't win, but if everyone can face themselves and have the mindset to win, I think we can definitely win. Also, I think penalties are really affecting (the game's development) right now, so if we can fix that and reduce the number of penalties, I think our chances of winning will be greater."
Shizuoka (1-15): Kenta Yamashita, Takeshi Hino, Takumi Inaba, Justin Sangster, Murray Douglas, Vueti Tupou, Kwagga Smith (c), Malgene Ilaua, Kodai Okazaki, Makoto Tsutsuguchi, Valynce Te Whare, Sylvian Mahuza, Semi Radradra, Hironori Yatomi, Futo Yamaguchi
Replacements: Siale Mahina, Takayoshi Mohara, Sean Vete, Yuya Odo, Richmond Tongatama, Shuntaro Kitamura, Charles Piutau, Kakeru Okumura
Mitsubishi (1-15): Jun Morimoto, Yuki Miyazato, Pieter Scholtz, Epineri Uluiviti, Jose Seru, Kyo Yoshida (c), Masataka Tsuruya, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Brad Weber, Shun Miyake, Joape Naco, Haniteli Vailea, Lukhanyo Am, Matt Vaega, Satoshi Koizumi
Replacements: Shoma Sagawa, Changho Ahn, Shunsuke Asaoka, Kohki Matsumoto, Kohki Sato, Kota Iwamura, James Grayson, Jackson Hemopo
Urayasu D-Rocks (5th) v Toshiba Brave Lupus (4th)
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo - 14.05 KO
Surprise package Urayasu D-Rocks have already matched their number of wins from last season and will be hoping to spring a surprise against fallible title holders Toshiba.
A crucial last-gasp win against Mitsubishi, a fixture they lost by 12 points on the opening weekend last season, gave them a platform to push on to stun Shizuoka on the road and to outgun Yokohama last week.
The only blemish on their record is 37-19 reverse against Saitama in Kumagaya in round two.
Samu Kerevi, who, in pre-season, told RugbyJP that his team is good enough to win the league, has been playing the best rugby of his career.
The crowd-pleasing centre has scored two tries in four games and has pierced the opposition at will, gaining 382 metres for his team which is more than any other player in the top-flight.
Kerevi, 32, whose older brother Josua (Toyota Shuttles Aichi) and younger brother Jone (Toyota Verblitz) both play in Japan, has beaten 32 opposition players, a number that only Verblitz wing Mark Tele'a has beaten (39).
Fifth-placed Urayasu’s key man has showcased his all round ability by also making eight offloads, compared to the stats-leading Semi Radradra and Kubota prop Opeti Helu have managed 11 apiece.
The former Reds star has received all the plaudits as he aims a for a Wallabies recall. His blistering form will be interrupted this weekend as he’s unavailable for a selection which has opened the door for fit-again Samisoni Tua to complete his comeback.
Tua, who has three caps for Japan, last played a competitive club game in May 2024 when they sealed promotion to division one at the expense of Will Genia and Quade Cooper’s Kintetsu Liners.
The Tonga-born 30-year-old, who is known for his immense physical prowess, partners in-form Shane Gates in the hosts’ midfield.
Springboks brute Jasper Wiese surprisingly reverts to the bench with menacing number eight Tamati Ioane earning a starting berth.
Japan-qualified Otere Black takes over fly-half duties from the absent Hikaru Tamura while 36-year-old Israel Folau is again missing for Graham Rowntree’s fast-rising side.
The loss of Kerevi cannot be overstated and home team will hope that the game is still in the balance when they bring on Wiese who, like the former, was monumental in their success against Yokohama.
Two-time and defending champions Toshiba have had to overcome a testing start to the new campaign.
Todd Blackadder’s fourth-placed team have been without the inspirational Michael Leitch who is still recovering from a calf injury which he sustained against Ireland on the end-of-year tour.
RugbyJP revealed last week that All Blacks flanker Shannon Frizell broke his hand in the loss to Saitama while electric wing Jone Naikabula is edging closer to a return after suffering a horrific leg injury in May.
Toshiba threatened to blow away what appeared to be an overmatched Mitsubishi side last week as they built a 28-3 lead after 33 minutes.
However, they let their game opponents back into the match with 19 unanswered points for a slender 28-22 lead on the hour mark.
Barnstorming centre Rob Thompson, who is playing the best rugby of his career, stepped up to settle their nerves and emphatically dotted down for his third try of the season.
Wing Tjay Clarke sealed a hard-fought win a seven-minute brace to complete his first League One hat-trick.
Japan full-back Takuro Matsunaga, who missed Japan’s end-of-year due due to a back strain, has the added responsibility of captaining the club during Leitch’s absence and set-up four tries against Mitsubishi.
He was pipped to the Player of The Match award by Kohei Takahashi who has cemented his place as the new first-choice scrum-half having won a place in the startling line-up following a double from the bench against Yokohama in round three.
The midfield battle between the brilliant partnership of Thompson and Fiji international Seta Tamanivalu – the standard bearers in that area over the last two seasons – and Urayasu’s returning Tua and gutsy outside-centre Gates will make for fascinating viewing.
Tua said: “This will be my first time at Chichibunomiya since the Japan team. It doesn't matter if the opponent has won two consecutive championships or is a champion, we are who we are, so we'll just do our best. My family will probably come to watch, so I will definitely win."
Urayasu (1-15): Hidetomo Nabeshima, Junichiro Matsushita, Sekonaia Pole, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Steven Cummins, Yuzuki Sasaki (c), Shin Takeuchi, Tamati Ioane, Taisei Konishi, Otere Black, Caleb Cavubati, Samisoni Tua, Shane Gates, Tana Tuhakaraina, Ryohei Yamanaka
Replacements: Jung Soo Yang, Kaisei Umeda, Ryom Kim, Brody MacAskill, Jasper Wiese, Ren Iinuma, Luteru Laulala, Takuhei Yasuda
Toshiba (1-15): Sena Kimura, Rinpei Sakaki, Vea Taumoefolau, Jacob Pierce, Michael Stolberg, Afu Ofeina, Takeshi Sasaki, Hiroki Yamamoto, Kohei Takahashi, Richie Mo'unga, Tjay Clarke, Rob Thompson, Seta Tamanivalu, Toshiki Kuwayama, Takuro Matsunaga
Replacements: Ken Hiyoshi, Teruo Makabe, Yuta Kokaji, Callum MacDonald, Shohei Ito, Yuhei Sugiyama, Michael Collins, Rei Ishioka
Suntory Sungoliath (6th) v Honda Heat (11th)
JIT Recycle Ink Stadium – 14.05 KO
Kosei Ono’s Suntory Sungoliath underperformed last term as they only just secured a playoff spot with a sixth-place finish after eight wins, two draws and eight defeats in the regular season.
After four rounds of the new season, the Fuchu outfit has shown the same frailties with wins over the Black Rams and lacklustre Toyota being undone by an insipid display against Kubota who ran in 11 tries in and individual errors in the injury-time loss to Kobe.
Captain Sam Cane was sent off 12 minutes into the second stanza for a second yellow card following a melee with his team ahead 17-14.
Kobe completed the turnaround after Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe was overzealous and was penalised for being offside with the visitors camped in their opponents 22 and pressing for a match-winning score.
Japan fly-half Seungsin Lee calmly slotted the resulting penalty to wrap up a 22-20 win to condemn Suntory to successive defeats.
Former Japan hooker Kosuke Horikoshi replaces youngster Shodai Hirao in his first start of the campaign. Japan international Kanji Shimokawa replaces Ryuga Hashimoto in the back row alongside captain Cane and number eight Sean McMahon.
Kazuki Ishida is preferred to new signing Kaleb Trask at fly-half with Kolbe moving to full-back to replace out-of-form Matsushima who falls to the bench.
Wing Kohei Yasuda switches flanks with Taiga Ozaki coming into the XV on the left wing.
Winless Honda were blasted by head coach Kieran Crowley for their first half display against leaders Kubota last week.
“I think it was a complete disgrace,” said the former Italy head coach following their 45-21 loss in Suzuka.
“We couldn't make any tackles, we couldn't control the ball at all. I think in the second half we were a little bit better, but the game was already decided at that point."
Crowley has reacted by selecting a new-look front row with Tatsuhiko Tsurukawa, Fiji captain Tevita Ikanivere and Matthys Basson replacing the Japanese trio of Kanato Hirano, Koki Hida and Katsuyuki Hoshino.
Lock Janko Swanepoel makes way for Ryoma Nishimura while Talifolofola Tangipa gets the nod in place of Ryo Furuta.
Riku Kitahara comes in at fly-half for England’s Manu Vunipola with Tevita Li in on the left wing for his first appearance of the season as Rakuhei Yamashita switches to the opposite wing ahead of Ben Paltridge.
Inside-centre Kyogo Okano comes into the side at the expense of Johnny Fa'auli.
South African Franco Mostert has been handed the captaincy with Pablo Matera unavailable.
Japan-qualified centre Dawid Kellerman starred last week with a try and three conversions after stepping in to play at fly-half in the second half.
South Africa-born Kellerman, who has vowed to 'work hard’ to realise his Brave Blossoms ambitions, will be a pivotal figure for the visitors along with the reassuring Mostert, newcomer Ikanivere - who has two tries in two games - and ageless full-back Lomano Lemeki who is due a try.
Both sides are craving a win to mark a new start in 2026 as Suntory look to live up to their tag as red-hot favourites for the Yamanashi game.
Suntory’s Kosuke Horikoshi said: "While supporting the great captain Sam Cane, I also want to be someone who leads the team. I believe that I can have the greatest influence on this team by leading with my performance and play. I want to perform at a high standard and play with consistency."
Suntory (1-15): Kenta Kobayashi, Kosuke Horikoshi, Shuhei Takeuchi, Sam Kieron Jeffries, Harry Hockings, Kanji Shimokawa, Sam Cane (c), Sean McMahon, Yutaka Nagare, Kazuki Ishida, Taiga Ozaki, Shogo Nakano, Isaiah Punivai, Cheslin Kolbe
Replacements: Shodai Hirao, Yukio Morikawa, Kan Nakano, Sam Phillip Jeffries, Ryuga Hashimoto, Kenta Fukuda, Mikiya Takamoto, Kotaro Matsushima
Honda (1-15): Tatsuhiko Tsurukawa, Tevita Ikanivere, Matthys Basson, Ryoma Nishimura, Trevor Hosea, Franco Mostert (c), Talifolofola Tangipa, Aseri Masivou, Azuma Doei, Riku Kitahara, Tevita Li, Kyogo Okano, Dawid Kellerman, Rakuhei Yamashita, Lomano Lemeki
Replacements: Koki Hida, Kazuki Ban, Feinga Fakai, Mark Abbott, Janko Swanepoel, Koki Miyasaka, Fraser Quirk, Manu Akauora
Kubota Spears (1st) v Toyota Verblitz (10th)
Spears Edoriku Field - 14.30 KO
Frans Ludeke’s clinical leaders Kubota have scored 207 points in their first four games.
After routing Suntory two weeks ago, they put Honda to the sword for the first hour last time out as they built an unassailable 45-0 lead. South African Ludeke, who has been at the helm in Funabashi since 2016, then made wholesale changes which enabled Honda to score 21 points in the final 18 minutes.
Kubota, who are equipped with one of the deepest squads in world rugby, are well represented in the individual charts with their headline-grabbing scoring exploits being supported by an aggressive pack who dominate most sides.
New captain Bernard Foley, 36, who is in his final season at the club after signing a one-year extension in the summer, leads the scoring charts with a haul of 68 points.
Utility-back Halatoa Vailea has settled in the midfield this season having featured on the wing and at full-back last season. The Japan international, who is also one of the longest kickers in the game, has scored four tries in three games including one to mark his 50th cap last Sunday as he bounced off three attempted tackles.
World Player of The Year Malcolm Marx is on ‘bomb squad’ duties with the ever-improving Rikuto Fukuda handed a rare start while prop Keijiro Tamefusa replaces fellow Japan international Opeti Helu.
South African flanker Merwe Olivier picks up from Akira Ieremia, the son of former New Zealand and Suntory centre Alama Ieremia.
Former Japan international and long-term absentee Gerhard van den Heever, 36, returns for his first appearance since March. The veteran, who has been a key component in Kubota’s back-three since arriving from Shizuoka in 2018, comes into the side on the right wing for Koga Nezuka.
Full-back has Shaun Stevenson is in a hot vein of form with three tries in his last two appearances and issued a reminder of his ability from the tee with a successful long-range effort which went viral after he launched the kick into the wind before it swung to the right and sailed between the posts.
Steve Hansen and Ian Foster’s below-par Toyota arrive in Tokyo on a low ebb and bereft of confidence following three straight defeats.
The expensively assembled team sit 10th - their lowly final position last season - with an opening round win over Honda, who have lost their three subsequent games, the only high point this season.
Hansen’s star-laden side should be comfortably in the play-off discussion but look poised for another season of underachievement unless they can pull out a shock win over early pace-setters Kubota.
Trigger-happy Toyota went on another excessive recruitment spree in the summer with new personnel favoured instead of working to get the best out of an accomplished group of players who did not live up to high expectations last season.
Blessed with abundance of riches, the Toyota coaching team have kept faith in the same line-up which should have denied the Black Rams last week.
The hosts led by six points with only eight minutes remaining but conceded two converted tries to lose out 37-29.
Springboks kingpin and 2024 World Player of The Year Peter-Steph du Toit is still sidelined and will miss the chance of going up against his successor and countryman Marx who will make his presence felt from the bench.
Former World Cup winner Aaron Smith, who missed anticipated showdown against long-time All Blacks colleague TJ Perenara last week, is fit enough to take a place among the replacements this week.
Ex-New Zealand wing Mark Tele'a took his two chances well to open his League One account with a four minute brace in Fukuoka.
Toyota needs to get their marquee arrival on the ball at every opportunity and provide support to him.
The former Blues wing has already beaten 39 players – which is the most in the league after four rounds - and is now settling into the competition.
Toyota’s Schalk Erasmus, who was one of three hookers recruited in the off season, is looking forward to facing his former club.
The South African said: “I feel very honoured to play in this team's jersey, and I would like to continue wearing the number two jersey for a long time if possible.
"Obviously, the opponents are a team with a lot of friends. Among them, Rikus Pretorius is my best friend, so I'm hoping to overwhelm him with my tackles (laughs)."
Kubota (1-15): Yota Kamimori, Rikuto Fukuda, Keijiro Tamefusa, Ruan Botha, David Bulbring, Merwe Olivier, Takeo Suenaga, Tyler Paul, Shinobu Fujiwara, Bernard Foley (c), Haruto Kida, Rikus Pretorius, Halatoa Vailea, Gerhard van den Heever, Shaun Stevenson
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Kazuki Kato, Izi Sword, Akira Ieremia, Asipeli Moala, Kazuhiro Taniguchi, Atsushi Oshikawa, Yuya Hirose
Toyota (1-15): Shogo Miura, Schalk Erasmus, Taufa Latu, Josh Dickson, Lourens Erasmus, Keito Aoki, Kazuki Himeno (c), Blair Ryall, Kaito Shigeno, Shinya Komura, Viliame Tuidraki, Nicholas McCurran, Siosaia Fifita, Mark Tele'a, Taichi Takahashi
Replacements: Ryusei Kato, Hanjiro Hirai, Yusuke Kizu, Zach Gallagher, Isaiah Mapusua, Aaron Smith, Rikiya Matsuda, Tiaan Falcon
Pictures courtesy of JRLO
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