League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus produced a professional display to defeat a spirited Black Rams Tokyo side 45-44 in a pulsating contest at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.
Todd Blackadder’s Toshiba, who were forced into a last-minute change when lock Jacob Pierce withdrew and was replaced by Samuela Anise, raced ahead after just 54 seconds.
In-form inside-centre Rob Thompson burst forward and produced a pinpoint offload to Japanese dynamo Jone Naikabula who, as one of the most clinical finishers in the game, effortlessly went over for the opening score.
The Rams opted to go for the posts when they were awarded their first penalty, as directed by influential captain and ex-All Blacks star TJ Perenara, with young fly-half Ichigo Nakakusu registering the hosts’ first points.
Toshiba full-back Takuro Matsunaga has been in scintillating form this season and looks set to play a larger role for his country who will host beleaguered Wales for two Tests this summer.
Matsunaga, who is equally adept at playing at fly-half, powered through two attempted tackles and stepped his opposite number to cross for Toshiba’s second after 13 minutes.
Ex-Highlanders centre Thompson extended the visitors’ advantage when he cut inside from five metres out and emphatically grounded the ball for his third try of the campaign.
The Rams were trailing 3-19 after 20 minutes and could have imploded but, to their credit, rallied with Perenara leading their charge.
Wing Taira Main crossed in the corner to cut their deficit to nine points.
Toshiba’s response with Matsunaga benefiting from some fine build-up play from Thompson and wing Yuto Mori to grab his second of the game.
The dogged Rams scored two tries in the closing five minutes of the half to finish the strongest of two sides going into the break.
Perenara was tackled by Mo’unga but was able to find lock Josh Goodhue who opened his tally for the season before flanker Shuhei Matsuhashi forced his way over on the left flank.
Rams started the second half as they finished the first and the evergreen Perenara picked the ball up from the base of the scrum on the five metre line and went alone, beating three defenders for a classy solo effort before Nakakusu converted to cut Toshiba’s lead to a single point.
Tabai Matson’s gutsy side took the lead for the first time after 54 minutes when Yuki Ikeda scored his fifth try of the season.
Nakakusu, who had an off-day with his kicking, missed the conversion from in front of the posts.
Japan-qualified Thompson, who hails from the rugby hotbed of Palmerston North, helped himself to his second try when his dummy bought him the opening to cut inside and race through to put his team back in the ascendancy.
Matsunaga stepped up and added the extra two points to leave the Rams trailing 31-33 on the hour mark.
Toshiba strengthened their grip of the game when a looping miss-pass found Naikabula in space on the right wing and the Fiji-born speedster walked in his second score.
The Rams fought back once again and, after being camped out in Toshiba’s 22 for several minutes, broke Toshiba’s resistance through prop Taishi Tsumura and Nakakusu converted to cut their deficit to one point.
Replacement centre Taichi Mano crashed over for Toshiba before the Rams stirred the crowd up into a frenzy when Tupou was put through by Taira after 77 minutes to leaving them chasing the score at 44-45 with seconds remaining.
Toshiba held their nerve to win a classic encounter in Tokyo.
Toshiba head coach Todd Blackadder said: “I’m really proud of our boys today, it was a really tough game of rugby, we started really well, we knew what a dangerous side they are.
"Every time we were under pressure we responded well. We had last minute changes, we juggled a few people around and coped with that well. During those moments our leaders did a good job on focusing on what we need to do next.
“There were some big momentum swings out there. Credit to the Black Rams who came to play, they executed well and won a lot of big moments.
“It was a fantastic game of rugby and I'm so happy our boys worked so hard and came away with the win.”
Black Rams head coach Tabai Matson said: “After the start we had I’m really proud of how the team fought back and we showed spirit.
“I thought it would go down to end and I’m proud of our efforts. Even though we scored 44 points we crucially conceded 45 and that’s going to be our focus on Monday.”
Rams captain TJ Perenara said: “I’m really proud of of the group and how we fought out of tough situations.
“We leaked points but found a way to regroup and almost win against Toshiba. We can’t be leaking this many points and make it this difficult on ourselves to win games.
“We can be positive on being in that dark place and regrouping and coming back and responding together as a team.”
Black Rams Tokyo (1-15): Kazuma Nishi, Shin Ouchi, Shohei Oyama, Reijiro Yamamoto, Josh Goodhue, Michael Stolberg, Shuhei Matsuhashi, Liam Gill, TJ Perenara (c), Ichigo Nakakusu, Semisi Tupou, Yuki Ikeda, Amanaki Lotoahea ,Taira Main, Kotaro Ito
Replacements: Masashi Onishi, Taishi Tsumura, Pazddy Ryan, Daiki Yanagawa, Amato Fakatava, Shota Yamamoto, PJ Latu, Netani Vakayalia
Toshiba (1-15): Sena Kimura, Daigo Hashimoto, Taufa Latu, Shohei Ito, Samuela Anise, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Takeshi Sasaki, Michael Leitch (c), Yuhei Sugiyama, Richie Mounga, Yuto Mori, Rob Thompson, Seta Tamanivalu, Jone Naikabula, Takuro Matsunaga
Replacements: Mamoru Harada, Masataka Mikami, Yuta Kokaji, Hiroki Yamamoto, Asaeli Lausii, Takahiro Ogawa, Taichi Mano, Michael Collins
Pictures courtesy of photographer 雨宮 涼子
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