Overview
- Saturday’s rematch at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium will shape the top-two race that confers a first-weekend play-off bye.
- Kubota are favored after a 13-match regular-season winning run powered by Malcolm Marx’s dominance at the breakdown.
- Toshiba Brave Lupus are without captain Michael Leitch and lock Warner Dearns, with only seven starters back from last year’s final.
- Richie Mo’unga led Brave Lupus to an 18-13 championship win over the Spears last season despite playing with a broken hand.
- Saitama Wild Knights could take sole command if Kubota slip, having dominated Tokyo Sungoliath in recent League One meetings.