Rampant Kubota demolish the Rams in Tokyo

Former League One champions Kubota Spears underlined their title credentials with a ruthless 42-14 demolition of Black Rams Tokyo at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo on Sunday.

Frans Ludeke’s side won the second League One campaign in 2023 but were off the pace last year as they dealt with injuries to key international players Malcolm Marx and Bernard Foley as well as Liam Williams who has since returned to Saracens.

The resurgent Funabashi-based side started the day in third position and kept the pressure on front-runners Saitama Wild Knights and champions Toshiba Brave Lupus who sit first and second respectively.

TJ Perenara’s improving Black Rams were dominated up front and struggled to contain free-scoring Kubota who led by captain Faulua Makisi, Marx and Foley.

Tabai Matson’s side came into the round 14 clash in ninth place and fighting to keep their faint play-off hopes (top six) alive.  

Kubota produced one of their most dominate displays of the season and built up an unassailable 28-0 lead after 50 minutes.

Lively wing Koga Nezuka was first off the mark for the visitors after a superb offload from the impressive Japan prop Opeti Helu before Springboks ace Malcolm Marx crossed for his sixth try of the campaign.  

League One debutant Reo Matsushita got in on the scoring act at the half hour mark before influential South African centre Rikus Pretorius ensured that Kubota started the second half in the same fashion with a breakaway score.

The Rams finally registered on the scoreboard after 51 minutes when in-form Brodi McCurran, the older brother of Toyota and Japan centre Nicholas, gave his team a lifeline.

Captain TJ Perenara received a yellow card for a high tackle on Marx after the hour mark which looked like it would seal the hosts’ fate and that proved to be the case when Nezuka crossed for his second to extend Kubota’s advantage to 28 points.  

Rams replacement Amato Fakatava powered over to make the score look more respectable after cutting the deficit to 21 points but there was still time for Kubota’s replacement hooker Rikuto Fukuda to score his first try of the season in the 81st minute.

Kubota will host play-off hopefuls Suntory Sungoliath next Sunday in Osaka while the Rams face Toyota Verblitz in Chiba with both teams battling to stay out of the relegation zone.  

Ludeke said: “A great result for us, a lot of the things we planned and identified came through for us today. Credit to the players for that. It was a strong 80-minute performance. A lot of areas such as breakdown and defensively we’d like to improve on, but it was a strong performance.”

Matson said: “I think for us it’s another disappointing loss but I truly believe the scoreline didn't reflect the amount of pressure we put on Kubota. We were positive at half-time, we had a try disallowed but you have to respect that Kubota defence, they’re one of the most difficult teams to breakdown. For them if they can control the game they’ll be a very difficult team to beat.

“Effort is not enough, and we’ve learnt today that against the top teams we have to get all of our stuff right.”

Perenara said: “I’ll echo the words of coach; we threw a lot at them, and they dealt with it well. We’re disappointed with the result obviously. For us we know now if we’re 5 or 10% off against a team like Kubota they can put points on us because they’re a very good team.  

“We’re positive about the direction we’re going, and I have complete faith in the group and what we’re capable of. Still we’re all very disappointed.”

Perenara was asked about his interest and availability for the joint Australia and New Zealand team’s clash with the British and Irish Lions in July.

“I don’t have any feels about ANZAC XV game, I’m still disappointed with today’s result. You’d get a better answer out of me in a few days. I haven’t put any thought into it. It's an exciting concept it's just not a priority for me right now.”