Official Preview - Japan Rugby League One (Round 16)
- 394
The weekend is the final round of the regular season, with a bye week to follow before the semi-finals in Division One as well as The Replacement Battle promotion/relegation series, which both kick off on May 18.
As this weekend coincides with the Golden Week holiday in Japan, the last of the round's matches will be played on Monday (Japan time).
Upcoming fixtures
With both sides already qualified, and their finishing order set as well, Saturday’s match between fourth-placed Yokohama Canon Eagles and unbeaten top-of-the-table Saitama Panasonic Knights will be notable as much for the various approaches the combatants adopt, as it will the outcome.
Wild Knights coach Robbie Deans, who has been a master of knockout rugby through his title-laden career with the Crusaders and his current charges, has shown his hand by naming a first choice XV, looking to continue a dominance that his seen his side win 14 straight against the Eagles, including last year’s semi-final where Yokohama collapsed dramatically in the second half to lose 51-20 after they had led 17-15 at halftime
Confirming fifth, while extending a record that has seen them win their last 11 against Honda, will be the main agenda for Kobe as they open the weekend at Suzuka. World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea’s league one sabbatical has ended early – he will not feature in Kobe’s final outing – but his contribution to a fifth-place finish still represents a decent contribution at a club where he quickly became a fan favourite
Current log
Despite a surprise loss to Ricoh on the penultimate weekend, there will be quiet satisfaction in ‘Camp Dynaboar’ about a season that has surpassed recent returns in the win column. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars will be chasing a sixth win of the campaign at Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, and while success in Osaka cannot change their ninth ranking, it would better by two the number of victories achieved on their return to Division One last year.
