JRLO 2023-2024 Round 4 Preview

There are games played in all three Divisions of the JRLO in round 4 from 6-7 January 2024, as the Japan Rugby League One returns after the New Year’s break – we preview all 9 matchups and potential key players in Japan.

Division One JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 4 Fixtures

Saturday 6th January 2024

The JRLO gets 2024 underway in Kumagaya where The Wild Knights, who have lost just once there since 2019, face Toyota Verblitz. The visitors will want All Black stars flyhalf Beauden Barrett and halfback Aaron Smith to be on top form as the hosts have notched up maximum points from their three matches thus far this season. If the NZ pair aren’t firing, they can also rely on the power of Springbok RWC 2023 final MOTM Pieter Steph du Toit and Brave Blossoms skipper Kazuki Himeno.

The Wild Knights themselves boast Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok centre Damien de Allende in their starting XV, as well as 10 members of the Brave Blossoms in the match day 23 – while Wallaby Marika Koroibete adds firepower from the bench.

Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath square up against Dave Rennie’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers, who will be looking to bounce back from their loss this season against Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo. RWC 2023 New Zealand captain Sam Cane starts at number 8 for Suntory and will have to face former teammates Brodie Retallick and Ardie Savea.

Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo and Hanazono Kintetsu Liners are both hoping to get their first win of this season on Saturday in Tokyo. The Black Rams have England backrower Nathan Hughes and Brave Blossoms forward Amato Fakatava in their squad, but the spotlight might be on Kintetsu who has Quade Cooper back from injury.

Both sides have had among the worst disciplinary records this season!

• Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights v Toyota Verblitz; Kumagaya, 2.30pm
• Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo v Hanazono Kintetsu Liners; Yuminoshima (Tokyo), 2.30pm
• Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath v Kobelco Kobe Steelers; Tokyo, 2.35pm

Sunday 7th January 2024

Defending champions Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, led by South African coach Frans Ludeke, have lost more games this season than all of last season, with losses to Shizuoka Blue Revs and Suntory. On Sunday they play Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, who are undefeated this campaign and come into the match with the Division’s two leading try-scorers; Jone Naikabula and Shannon Frizell, each with five.

Kubota Spears also has international talent with Wales fullback Liam Williams and former New Zealand hooker Dane Coles set to play.

Photo Credit: (JRLO) Wales fullback Liam Williams and former New Zealand hooker Dane Coles

Yokohama head to Sagamihara and Springbok Rugby World Cup-winners, centre Jesse Kriel and halfback Faf de Klerk, are seen as key personnel to get the team to the playoffs this season. The Dynaboars have had a decent start to the season and ex-Wallaby centre Curtis Rona will be looking to score in his third straight match and add to his total of four tries thus far.

Bottom side Mie Honda Heat will want to get their season going in the new year but will need to overcome Shizuoka who have just beaten the defending champions. Argentine Pablo Matera is back at the Mie Honda Heat which is a welcome relief.

• Mie Honda Heat v Shizuoka Blue Revs; Suzuka (Mie), 12pm
• Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars v Yokohama Canon Eagles; Tokyo, 2.10pm
• Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo v Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay; Edogawa (Tokyo), 2.30pm

Brief highlights of all JRLO matches will be available here.

All times shown are Japan local time.

Division Two JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 4 Fixtures

There is only one fixture in Division 2, with Kyuden Voltex hosting Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves and both sides are desperate for a win to kickstart their season.

Saturday, January 6 224

• Kyuden Voltex v Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves; Fukuoka, 1pm

Image Credit: JRLO

Division Three JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 3 Fixtures

Saturday sees Hino Red Dolphins visit Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima, as the visitors (although both are based in the city) look to repeat their win from two years ago but also look for a different outcome to the season when they were relegated.

Undefeated so far in their bid to return to a higher division, the Red Dolphins will look to add to the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks and Kurita Water Gush Akishima scalps. Standing in their way, the hosts have won their last two fixtures at Balcom BMW Stadium and could join Hino at the top of the log with a bonus point win.

In the other match in this Division, Water Gush welcomes Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions to Tokyo’s AG Field – with the two sides occupying the bottom of the log, although the Regulions have only played ones this season.

Saturday, January 6 224

• Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima v Hino Red Dolphins; Hiroshima, 1pm
• Kurita Water Gush Akishima v Chugoku Red Regulions; Tokyo, 2.30pm

Image Credit: JRLO

How To Watch JRLO

Matches from the JRLO can be seen in Africa on ESPN Africa, as well as in New Zealand via TVNZ, and in some regions on World Rugby’s global rugbypass.com website.

At the start of 2024, the Japan Rugby League One also announced to fans in Asia that they will be able to watch on Malaysian TV streaming provider, Astro, with matches on Astro SuperSport channel!

The full fixture list for this JRLO season can be seen here.

All of us wish those impacted by the earthquake in Noto Peninsular, Ishikawa Prefecture and by the Japan Airlines flight 516/Coastguard incident our condolences.

JRLO 2023-2024

• JRLO 2023-2024 Round 3 Preview
• NTT JRLO Season 2023-2024 – Who Is Involved?
• Cross-Border Rugby 2024 – JRLO & Super Rugby NZ Teams Confirmed.
• JRLO 2023-2024 Opening Round – By The Numbers.