Kobe Steelers end eight-year title drought to claim JRLO crown over Kubota Spears

Dave Rennie’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers claimed the 2026 Japan Rugby League One title with a hard-fought 22-13 victory over the Kubota Spears at MUFG Stadium in Shinjuku, ending the club’s eight-year wait for a championship. The triumph is also Rennie’s first club title since he guided the Chiefs to Super Rugby glory in 2013.

The final was a bruising, attritional contest from the outset, with both defences dominant through long passages of play. The Spears, coached by Frans Ludeke, started the sharper of the two sides and led 13-3 after 24 minutes, with former Wallabies fly-half Bernard Foley opening the scoring from the tee before Keijiro Tamefusa crashed over for the opening try, converted by Foley.

Former All Blacks and Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson was the standout performer for the Spears, landing a crucial 50/22 in the first half to set up Tamefusa’s score and repeatedly threatening to break the game open in the second. Kobe fullback Inoke Burua proved equally influential at the other end, chasing a grubber kick from Shunsuke Uenobou to dot down in the corner and cut the deficit to three, with Seungsin Lee converting from the touchline.

The experience of Ardie Savea, Brodie Retallick, and hooker Ash Dixon ultimately proved decisive, with Kobe overpowering the Spears at scrum time twice in the final ten minutes to seal the title. Lee’s reliable boot kept the scoreboard ticking throughout, and Savea’s breakdown work — including a critical hold-up under the posts early in the game — set the defensive tone for the champions.

Ludeke’s side were hampered by the absence of star hooker Malcolm Marx, sidelined with a rib injury, and top tackler Tyler Paul, who also missed the final. Despite those setbacks, the Spears pushed Kobe to the wire before the Steelers’ forward dominance in the closing stages proved the difference.

For Rennie, who is set to take charge of the All Blacks, the victory caps a successful stint at club level in Japan and underlines the squad depth he has assembled in Kobe, with a blend of seasoned internationals and emerging Japanese talent driving the title charge.