A try by former Queensland Reds flyhalf Sam Greene has helped Shizuoka Blue Revs score the upset of the Japan Rugby League One season.
A victory by the Wild Knights, who are unbeaten in 17 matches this season, would hand Deans his sixth title in Japan, one more than he won during his stellar career in Super Rugby with the Crusaders.
An understrength Chiefs side has been handed a pre-season wake-up call against Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan.
Playmaker for the NPC-winning Taranaki side in 2023, Josh Jacomb will spark interest starting at fullback, having surprisingly not made the Chiefs squad for 2024.
Frans Ludeke knows Robbie Deans very well. The two-time title-winning coach from Super Rugby has locked horns with the former Crusaders and current Saitama mentor several times.
Wallabies star winger Marika Koroibete was left stunned after some quick thinking snatched a game-sealing try to hand the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights their first loss.
The Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights remain on course for their third straight title in Japan's League One rugby..
A coaching duel spanning more than 20 years provides its latest chapter in Tokyo when the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights tackle Suntory Sungoliath in Japan rugby's inaugural League One final.