There are two rounds remaining of the regular Japan Rugby League One 2025-2026 season, and we look at how Round 17 is shaping up.
The top three teams in Division 1 remain in a shootout to secure a top-two finish, which would mean they have a bye week in the three-week elimination playoff series, and the fight for the final 6th-place playoff spot is competitive, too.
In Divisions Two and Three, qualification for the post-season promotion/relegation series, as well as the section titles, could be decided this weekend.
Division 1
Photo Credit – JRLO
Friday May 1
Urayasu D-Rocks vs Saitama Wild Knights; at Tokyo (Chichibu), 7pm
The side already confirmed to battle out to retain their Division 1 status, Urayasu D-Rocks play a Friday night game for the second week in a row and have the unenviable task of hosting the top of the table Saitama Wild Knights.
The log-leaders can’t be complacent as the fight for the top three places is tight, and any dropped points will be taken advantage of. They have a one-point lead over the Kobelco Kobe Steelers and a four-point lead over the Kubota Spears, so a bonus point win this weekend should see them secure a top-two finish, and they will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
It is unlikely that the hosts will prevent a 13th straight loss this season this weekend, and the matchday squad has rested some of their key players, who look to have been held back for the upcoming Replacement Battle matches.
Atsushi Sakate leads a strong Wild Knights side, although there are changes too for the frontrunners. Damian de Allende scored twice last week but is not included.
Saturday May 2
Toyota Verblitz vs Tokyo Sungoliath; at Aichi (Paloma Mizuho), 2.30pm
The Toyota Verblitz will be rueing their poor first half of the season, but have in the backend of this season, given themselves a chance of reaching the top six and the playoffs. Last weekend’s win leaves Steve Hansen’s Vervlitz just two points behind Brave Lupus in 6th.
For the Tokyo Sungoliath, they need a momentum shift heading into the playoffs, as they have now lost five in a row.
In their first encounter, Sungoliath were 43-25 victors, but they were running hot while the Verblitz couldn’t buy a win as they endured a 6-game losing streak near the start of the season.
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo vs Shizuoka BlueRevs; at Tokyo (Chichibu), 2.30pm
Photo Credit – JRLO
The defending champions, Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, are in 6th place and hold their title defence in their own hands, but the visiting Shizuoka BlueRevs are two places and five points behind them and will be looking to upset the hosts to take the playoff spot placements down to the final round of the season.
When they met earlier this season, it was Todd Blackadder’s Brave Lupus who pipped the BlueRevs 26-22. The BlueRevs know they will need maximum points in their final two matches and hope that the Brave Lupus and Toyota Verblitz slip up to pip them to that 6th spot.
The Brave Lupus’ final game is against the Wild Knights next weekend, so a result this weekend is crucial.
Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Mie Honda Heat; at Osaka (Hanazono), 2.30pm
Second-ranked Kobe has had a great season, and with two All Blacks (Shannon Frizell and Richie Mo’anga) returning to New Zealand and most of their senior coaching team departing at the end of the season, they would love to see out their stints in Japan on a high.
Dave Rennie is one of those leaving as he will take up the mantle of All Black Head Coach side but he has overseen a fantastic season.
Kieran Crowley’s Mie Honda Heat have lost out on a chance to make the top six but are also safe from the bottom two, so these final two games are a test of character for his squad as they have little to play for but pride. Some good wins could see them rise above their current 9th place on the ladder.
Sunday May 3
Photo Credit – JRLO
BlackRams Tokyo vs Kubota Spears; at Fukushima, 1pm
TJ Perenara’s BlackRams Tokyo faltered last week and lost, but they have more than likely qualified for the playoffs. How they fare against the top sides will be tested as they host Frans Ludeke’s Kubota Spears, who are currently third.
The hosts were at the receiving end of a 50-28 defeat earlier in the season when they took on the star-laden Kubota team. Their nine wins are their best return since League One formed, and although they have not guaranteed a top-six finish, one more win would secure that feat, or if Toshiba or Toyota lose.
Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars; at Tokyo (Chichibu), 2.30pm
The Yokohama Canon Eagles had a huge win last week, and this weekend could ensure they avoid finishing in the bottom two while also condemning their opponents, Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars, to 11th place, if they win, which means they would compete in the Replacement Battle matches
The Eagles have only notched up five wins all season, but key players such as Jesse Kriel are in fine form at the back end of this season. With only two games left and knowing the likes of Faf De Klerk will be leaving, they will be after a strong finish for Head Coach Leon Macdonald, who had to wait until Round 7 to get his first win in his debut season.
The Dynaboars won against the Eagles in December, 17-10, but have won just three times since then.
You can see all the fixtures and results on the JRLO website here.
Division Two
Photo Credit – JRLO
After both losing last weekend, Hanazono Kintetsu Liners and Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi should clinch the top two spots in Division Two if they win this weekend.
Saturday May 2
- Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi vs RedHurricanes Osaka; at Aichi (Wave), 12pm
- Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks vs Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex; at Tokyo (Yumenoshima), 12pm
- Green Rockets Tokatsu vs Hanazono Kintetsu Liners; at Chiba, 2.30pm
- Hino Red Dolphins vs Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves; at Gunma, 12pm
Division Three
SkyActivs Hiroshima will complete back-to-back Division Three titles if they defeat Kurita Water Gush Akishima. It would be their 14th win in an undefeated season.
Lock Andrew Davidson scored four tries last weekend against Le RIRO Fukuoka, which has taken his season tally to 17! He has moved past the 15 scored last year by SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTS fullback Chase Tiatia for the most by a player in a Division Three season.
The most in a regular season record across all JRLO divisions is the 18 scored by Sungoliath winger Seiya Ozaki – and this season we have two locks chasing it down – Brodie Rettalick and Andrew Davidson.
Saturday May 2
- Kurita Water Gush Akishima vs SkyActivs Hiroshima; at Kanagawa (Atsugi), 12pm
- SAYAMA SECOM Rugguts vs Le RIRO Fukuoka; at Kanagawa (Ebina), 1pm
- Yakult Levins Toda vs Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions; at Gunma (Shikishima), 12pm
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