Honda vs Kobe Steel Predictions - Kobe Steel to keep undefeated record against Honda intact

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 19 Dec 2025

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Brad Newcomb 19 Dec 2025

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Kobe Steel have defeated Honda 4 consecutive times.
Honda are prone to inconsistent performances.
Kobe Steel are favoured to cover the -5.5 handicap.

Expired

Kobe Steel have never lost to Honda (Getty Images)

Honda lost their opening Japan Rugby League One fixture and have yet to taste success against their opponents. Kobe Steel fell short in their season opener but are on a winning streak against Honda.

Kobe Steel have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures.
Kobe Steel have won 4 of their last 5 away games.
Kobe Steel have defeated Honda 4 consecutive times.
Honda have won 2 of their last 5 fixtures.
Honda have won 2 of their last 5 home matches.
Honda have lost 2 in a row at home to Kobe Steel.

Head to Head

Kobe Steel have an advantage with four victories to nil over Honda in three meetings.

Honda Form

Honda scored two tries and a conversion in the first half against Toyota Verblitz last weekend, but trailed 23-12 at half-time.

Honda produced a solid second-half display against Toyota Verblitz, scoring three converted tries, but they lost 44-33 away from home.

Honda beat the Canon Eagles 20-17 and lost 39-31 to the Urayasu D-Rocks, 53-33 to the Wild Knights, and 38-30 to Toyota Verblitz before defeating the Kintetsu Liners in their last five home fixtures in the Japan Rugby League One.

Honda have faced Kobe Steel four times in JRLO, losing every time, including twice in their own backyard. Can they find a way to win?

Kobe Steel Form

Kobe Steel landed three penalties and scored a converted try in the first half against the Kubota Spears last weekend to lead 16-15 at the break.

Kobe Steel added two tries and a conversion in the second half but lost 33-28 to Kubota Spears at home.

Kobe Steel defeated the Black Rams 27-24, the Urayasu D-Rocks 33-20, the Canon Eagles 47-29, and the Shizuoka Blue Revs 35-20 before losing 31-3 to Toshiba Brave Lupus in their last five away fixtures in the Japan Rugby League One.

Kobe Steel have solid away form in the JRLO, winning four of their last five outings, and they are on a four-match winning streak against Honda.

Team News

Honda

Captain Pablo Matera highlighted why his team failed to beat Toyota Verblitz last weekend: "I think we created many chances to win, but we couldn't convert them into scores. In particular, we couldn't score from a maul five meters in front of the try line, which put us more than 10 points behind, and I felt it was difficult to catch up from there."

Kobe Steel

Head Coach Dave Rennie commented on his team's performance against Kubota Spears: "It was a frustrating result. I think we had the ball in the right areas for a lot of time. Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay are a really great team, and I thought their defense was great too. They are a great team, so of course it's inevitable that this kind of shoving and arm-wrestling will result, especially in the last 30 minutes. I think Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay was better at controlling the ball and was able to perform well in crucial moments. I'm really disappointed with the result."

Verdict

Honda v Kobe Steel

Kobe Steel have a perfect winning record against Honda and are tipped to cover the -5.5 handicap.

Kobe Steel -5.5

Handicap

@1.91 - 3 Units

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