The Brave Lupus Claim Japan’s Rugby League One Title in Dramatic Final
The Toshiba Brave Lupus, led by All Black fly-half Richie Mo’unga, have become the champions of Japan’s top rugby union league following a thrilling final against Robbie Deans’ Saitama Wild Knights in Tokyo on Sunday. The match, played in front of a capacity crowd of 57,000, saw the Brave Lupus emerge victorious in a tightly contested encounter.
The decisive moment came late in the game when the Wild Knights had what would have been the match-winning try disallowed by the TMO (Television Match Official) after a forward pass was detected during the build-up.
Brave Lupus winger Jone Naikabula, named the Player of the Match, had earlier scored the opening try of the game, although the decision to award the score was not without controversy.
Throughout the match, the Brave Lupus defense stood firm, withstanding a fierce opening onslaught from the Wild Knights and twice holding up their opponents over the goal-line. Mo’unga’s penalty goal in the first half gave the Brave Lupus a slender 10-6 lead at the break, which was extended when Naikabula crossed the line again shortly before the interval, taking advantage of a yellow card to Wild Knights winger Marika Koroibete.
Despite a second-half fightback from the Wild Knights, who scored two tries to take the lead, the Brave Lupus refused to be denied. Mo’unga’s conversion of a late try by replacement Yuto Mori proved to be the winning score, although the Wild Knights had one final chance to snatch victory, only to be denied by the TMO’s decision.
The victory for the Brave Lupus, who have now added the Japan Rugby League One title to Mo’unga’s seven Super Rugby championships, capped a thrilling finale to the season and underlined the team’s dominance in Japanese rugby union.
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