Japan Rugby League One Final: Kobe Steelers vs Kubota Spears - All Blacks and Springboks set for epic finale

Friday, 05 June 2026 at 10:57

byTom Sansom

Japan Rugby League One's fifth championship game promises to be one of the most star-studded finals in the competition's history, as Kobelco Kobe Steelers and Kubota Spears collide in Tokyo.

Join RUCK’s Instagram broadcast channel and get the latest rugby news straight to your phone.

With former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie preparing for his final match before taking charge of the All Blacks, and veteran playmaker Bernard Foley set to bring the curtain down on his League One career, there is no shortage of intrigue heading into the season decider.

Kobe arrive as favourites after a devastating 69-23 demolition of Tokyo Sungoliath in the semi-finals. The Kansai outfit last lifted Japan's top domestic title in 2018, when legendary New Zealand coach Wayne Smith was Director of Rugby and All Blacks greats Dan Carter and Andy Ellis were pulling the strings.

This version of Kobe is built around another formidable New Zealand spine, with captain Brodie Retallick joined by fellow All Blacks Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown. Rennie has transformed the Steelers into the competition's most consistent side and now stands one victory away from delivering a title before returning home to lead New Zealand.

Retallick has been a dominant force throughout the campaign and heads into the final on 17 tries for the season, one shy of the Division One record. Standing in Kobe's way are Kubota Spears, who edged past Saitama Wild Knights 26-24 in a bruising semi-final. However, the victory came at a significant cost.

Reigning World Rugby Player of the Year Malcolm Marx has been ruled out of the final with a bicep injury, while influential back-rower Tyler Paul will also miss the championship game. The South African-born Japan international has been one of the league's standout performers, making a remarkable 293 tackles this season — the highest tally across all three divisions.

Kubota will look to experienced fly-half Bernard Foley to inspire one final triumph before his departure. The former Wallaby has been one of League One's defining figures since its launch in 2022, scoring 777 points in 72 appearances and playing a central role in the Spears' maiden title-winning campaign in 2022-23.

Now 36, Foley has guided Kubota to a third final in four years and remains one of the competition's most influential performers. There have even been reports linking him with a return to the NSW Waratahs, but for now all focus is on Sunday's showdown.

The Spears also boast a strong South African influence. Grey College graduates Merwe Olivier and Rikus Pretorius both start, while veteran Japan international Pieter "Lappies" Labuschagne could make his final appearance for the club from the bench.

Before attention turns to Sunday's final, Saturday's third-place playoff will provide an emotional farewell for one of the sport's biggest stars.

Springbok magician Cheslin Kolbe will make his final appearance for Tokyo Sungoliath when they face Saitama Wild Knights. Since arriving in Japan, Kolbe has become one of the faces of League One, scoring 23 tries and 321 points in 44 appearances.

His final season has been exceptional. The two-time Rugby World Cup winner leads the league's scoring charts with 218 points and has crossed for 10 tries.

The Wild Knights will welcome back Springbok lock Lood de Jager for the contest. The towering second row has not featured in League One this season following injury and suspension issues but returns for what could be a significant boost for Saitama.

More than 50,000 fans are expected to attend Sunday's final, continuing the remarkable growth of Japan Rugby League One. The last two championship games have both attracted crowds exceeding 50,000, with the competition record standing at 56,486 from the 2023-24 final.