Kolbe fires Sungoliath back to life in playoff-shaking win
WRAP: Cheslin Kolbe was at the heart of a statement response as Tokyo Sungoliath snapped their losing streak emphatically, reminding everyone exactly what they are capable of when their stars fire.
After a bruising run of five straight defeats, Sungoliath roared back to life with a 54-38 demolition of Verblitz, with Kolbe’s influence and attacking spark helping to reignite a side that had been searching for rhythm. It wasn’t just a win – it was a release, a performance that reset their campaign at a critical moment.
Sungoliath’s surge came late in the first half, where a devastating burst of tries flipped the contest on its head. Having trailed 7-12 after 28 minutes, they piled on four tries before the break – three in the final nine minutes – with Sam Cane, captaining the side, finishing one of the key blows to leave Verblitz reeling at 26-12.
The momentum carried into the second half as Sungoliath struck twice more early on, effectively putting the game beyond reach.
Although Verblitz showed fight, with late tries adding respectability to the scoreline, the damage had long been done. The result not only ended Sungoliath’s slump but also secured their place in the playoffs, ending any lingering doubt about their season.
Elsewhere, Brave Lupus Tokyo confirmed their finals berth with a hard-fought 35-29 win over BlueRevs. Despite an early setback, Brave Lupus leaned on the brilliance of Jone Naikabula, whose return from injury proved decisive as he grabbed two crucial first-half tries.
The playoff race tightened further as Steelers edged Heat 24-19, with Brodie Retallick once again making his presence felt. The result pushed Kobe back to the top of the standings, setting up a dramatic final round showdown.
In one of the shocks of the round, D-Rocks stunned Wild Knights 27-24, producing a late, chaotic match-winning moment to underline the unpredictability of the competition.
Meanwhile, Eagles continued their late-season surge with a 31-22 win over Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars, inspired by Springbok centre Jesse Kriel, whose leadership and form have driven their resurgence.
But the headline belonged to Kolbe and Sungoliath – a timely reminder that when their game clicks, they remain one of the most dangerous sides in Japan Rugby League One.
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