[ODDS and EVENS] Rugby Title Match a Showcase for Two Exceptional Teams

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There's a defining moment, or maybe a handful of key plays, in every championship match or championship series ― that is, unless it's a blowout from start to finish. And we were reminded of this in the back-and-forth Japan Rugby League One final on Sunday, May 26.

For sports fans, this is one of the most appealing aspects of watching games: new heroes emerge or established stars bolster their reputations with big plays.

In the Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo's compelling 24-20 triumph over the Saitama Wild Knights, head coach Todd Blackadder's squad took a 17-6 lead five minutes into the second half on winger Jone Naikabula's second try of the match and flyhalf Richie Mo'unga's conversion kick.

The match was far from over, though. Pride was on the line, as well as the shiny championship trophy to be awarded before a crowd of 56,000-plus fans at Tokyo's National Stadium.

And remember this: Even with an outstanding 14-1-1 record in the League One regular season, the Brave Lupus were underdogs.

The Wild Knights, guided by longtime New Zealand-born coach Robbie Deans, entered the championship final with a 16-0 regular-season record. Then they eked out a 20-17 win over the Yokohama Canon Eagles in the semifinals.

Wild Knights Provide a Vivid Reminder of Their Exceptional Rugby Skills

Surprising nobody, based on their overall excellence in the 2023-24 campaign, the Wild Knights rallied. In the second half, they pulled to within 17-13 on a Ben Gunter try and a Rikiya Matsuda conversion in the 24th minute.

Moments later, a Taiki Koyama try and another Matsuda conversion gave the Wild Knights a 20-17 advantage.

And with 20 minutes left in the match, anything was still possible, even though momentum had shifted to the unbeaten Wild Knights.

Both teams kept grinding away, seeking to gain the upper hand.

With six minutes remaining, Brave Lupus center Yuto Mori rumbled over the goal line with a go-ahead try and Mo'unga's kick extended the lead to 24-20.

Scoring chances followed for the Wild Knights, but they fell short and ran out of time.

Fijian-born Naikabula was instrumental in the Brave Lupus gaining the aforementioned 11-point advantage and preserving the lead at the end.

His first try put them on the scoreboard in the 27th minute, trimming the Wild Knights' early 6-0 lead to a single point. And then Mo'unga provided the conversion to flip the lead to the Brave Lupus (7-6).

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• [ODDS and EVENS] All Blacks Help Elevate Level of Japan Rugby League One

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.