These are the final games played in the JRLO in round 6 (part 2) from 27-28 January 2024 with matches in all three divisions. The attention then turns to Cross-Border Rugby Challenge 2024 for some Division 1 teams.
Photo Credit: Saitama Wild Knights
Division One JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 6 Fixtures (Part 2)
Saturday 27th January 2024
Toyota Verblitz looks to stop Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo on Saturday and seek revenge for the 63-25 loss last season.
Both sides have strengthened their squads this season notably with All Blacks. Backrower Shannon Frizell has scored five tries from his first five outings in the Toshiba jersey – one of the standout internationals in the JRLO in the 2023-2024 campaign. Teammate Richie Mo’unga scored his maiden try in Toshiba’s 40-12 win over Mie Honda Heat two weeks ago, and took his season points tally to 54 from five matches.
Verblitz’s own All Black, scrumhalf Aaron Smith, has scored two tries, while Beauden Barrett has added 30 points from his four appearances and the flyhalf returns after missing the victory over Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. Brave Blossoms scrumhalf Kenta Fukuda starts with Smith on the bench.
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo Coach Todd Blackadder has also benched ex-All Black centre Seta Tamanivalu, with Maori All Black Rob Thompson starting – he hopes the changes will see the club emulate the achievement of each of the previous two seasons in which they have won six wins in a row.
Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay just got past the line with an enthralling 38-34 win over Kobelco Kobe Steelers a couple of weeks ago. The result saw them climb to seventh on the championship standings, but they will be again without their top point-scorer – flyhalf Bernard Foley – when they play Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo away on Saturday.
Yokohama Canon Eagles will be without Springbok duo, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk (knee) and centre Jesse Kriel (thumb), both sidelined by potentially long-term injuries. It’s not sure whether either will be back this JRLO season.
The Eagles face a Kobelco Kobe Steelers side who look to end a run of three straight defeats on Saturday.
Ricoh Black Rams face Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay with the hosts having lost four of their first five games.
Hanazono Kintetsu Liners play Shizuoka Blue Revs away from home and the visitors still looking for a first win this campaign. Kintetsu heads to Yamaha Stadium as the most penalised team in the league.
- Ricoh Black Rams v Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay; at Tokyo, 1pm
- Shizuoka Blue Revs v Hanazono Kintetsu Liners; at Shizuoka, 1pm
- Yokohama Canon Eagles v Kobelco Kobe Steelers; at Kanagawa, 2.10pm
- Toyota Verblitz v Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo; at Aichi, 2.30pm
The times shown are Japanese local times.
Image Credit: JRLO
Brief highlights of all JRLO matches will be available here.
Division Two JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 6 Fixtures (Part 2)
Sunday January 28
Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi lost the lead on the log in Division 2 after their game was called off to lightning last time out – with Urayasu top of the log. But the Shuttles will regain the top position if they beat Kyuden Voltex on Sunday.
- Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi v Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex; at Aichi, 2.30pm
Image Credit: JRLO
Division Three JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 5 Fixtures
Saturday January 27
The sole match in Division Three JRLO this weekend is the first Hiroshima derby of the season, with Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima looking for their third win of this campaign as they head to Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions.
- Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions v Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima; at Hiroshima, 2pm
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.
JRLO 2023-2024
- JRLO 2023-2024 Round 6 Part 1 Preview.
- JRLO 2023-2024 Round 5 Preview.
- Cross-Border Rugby 2024 – A New Chapter For Japan and New Zealand Rugby.
- Cross-Border Rugby 2024 – JRLO & Super Rugby NZ Teams Confirmed.
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