Two of the traditional titans of the Japanese domestic game meet when Match Day 11 of Japan Rugby League One kicks off in Tokyo this weekend.
Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights and Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath have contested the last two grand finals, and the pair have shared 11 domestic titles across the professional era, with the Wild Knights holding a slight advantage, six to five.
While last weekend’s 30-15 defeat of the previously unbeaten Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay extended to 43 the Wild Knights’ unbeaten run in Japan, Sungoliath were the last team to beat them, lowering Panasonic’s colours in the semi-finals of the 2019 competition.
Even though the Wild Knights have beaten Sungoliath to the last two titles, both finals were highly competitive, with Saitama having to defend desperately to see off Suntory last term, in a decider that was in the balance until the final whistle as the defending champions scored the inaugural Japan Rugby League One title, 18-12.
Two years season ago, Panasonic bested Suntory 31-26 to capture the final edition of the Top League.
Away from Saturday’s feature, Kubota will try to get back on track when it travels to Shizuoka to meet a Blue Revs outfit that will have mixed feelings after last Friday’s draw with Yokohama Canon Eagles.
Hanazono Kintetsu Liners will be aiming for another competitive showing when they welcome Suntory’s
conquerors from Match Day 10, Toyota Verblitz, while the Sunday sees NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu greet Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo.
Fourth-placed Yokohama are also in action and – depending on Suntory’s outcome the day before – may have an opportunity to jump Sungoliath on the championship rankings, should they see off a winner from last weekend, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars.
