Robbie Deans has won the battle of the former Wallaby coaches in Japan Rugby League One, with his Saitama Wild Knights beating Dave Rennie's Kobe Steelers 46-32.
It was in the second half where the Spears really got into their work, opening up the Blue Revs defence on countless occasions.
Two tries by Wallabies fullback Tom Banks helped Mie Heat come from behind to beat Sagamihara Dynaboars 38-37 in a Japan Rugby League One.thriller.
The injection of Shaun Stevenson into the Kubota Spears has seen them win their last four games. Also, with experienced North Harbour halfback Bryn Hall in the Spears squad, the Spears' Kiwi contingent is growing.
The Spears had the luxury of bringing one Test All Black Shaun Stevenson off the bench in the second half, to add impact to an already in-form backline.
It’s been less than a week since one-test All Black Shaun Stevenson has been in Japan, but the fullback is ready to make his first appearance for the Kubota Spears.
The Brave Lupus was helped by a red card in the 59th minute from reserve Kobe Steelers prop Kauvaka Kaivelata, which gave the Todd Blackadder-coached Brave Lupus all of the momentum heading into the last quarter of the game.
TJ Perenara's new Japanese club Black Rams Tokyo took a big scalp by defeating Tokyo Sungoliath by 33-32 in the second round of Japan Rugby League One.