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Toshiba Brave Lupus vs Wild Knights Predictions - Toshiba Brave Lupus to see off the Wild Knights

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 2 hours ago

Brad Newcomb 2 hours ago

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Toshiba Brave Lupus boast 12 wins from their last 13 games.
The Wild Knights have won 4 of their last 5 visits to Toshiba.
Both teams finished at the top of their respective conference standings last season.

Toshiba Brave Lupus often emerge victorious at home (Getty Images)

Toshiba Brave Lupus vs Wild Knights Predictions

Toshiba Brave Lupus vs Wild Knights Predictions
Head to Head
Toshiba Brave Lupus Form
Wild Knights Form
Team News

Toshiba Brave Lupus won the Japan Rugby League One title last season and often win their home fixtures. The Wild Knights fell at the semi-final hurdle but have had success against Brave Lupus away from home.

Toshiba Brave Lupus have won 12 of their last 13 matches.
Toshiba Brave Lupus have won 12 of their last 13 home fixtures.
Toshiba Brave Lupus are undefeated in their last 3 matches against the Wild Knights.
Wild Knights have won 5 of their last 8 fixtures.
Wild Knights have won 2 of their last 5 away games.
Wild Knights have won 4 of their last 5 visits to Toshiba Brave Lupus.

Head to Head

The Wild Knights have a commanding lead of nine victories to two over Toshiba Brave Lupus, including two draws in 13 meetings.

Toshiba Brave Lupus Form

Toshiba Brave Lupus won their second consecutive Japan Rugby League One final last season after defeating the Kubota Spears 18-13 in the final.

During the regular season, Toshiba Brave Lupus finished first in the Conference A table with 71 points from 18 games. They won 15, lost two, and drew one.

Before that triumph, Toshiba Brave Lupus beat the Kubota Spears 31-27, the Wild Knights 42-31, and Honda 59-21, and lost 56-26 to the Shizuoka Blue Revs before defeating the Canon Eagles 49-28 in the last five home fixtures in the Japan Rugby League One.

Toshiba Brave Lupus were in great touch throughout their previous campaign. They have won 12 of their last 13 home games and are unbeaten in their last three matches against the Wild Knights.

Wild Knights Form

The Wild Knights reached the semi-finals of the Japan Rugby League One in their previous campaign, but fell short, losing 28-24 to the Kubota Spears.

The Wild Knights finished first in the Conference B standings during the regular season with 71 points from 18 games. They won 14, lost two, and drew two.

The Wild Knights lost 42-31 to Toshiba Brave Lupus, defeated the Urayasu D-Rocks 54-26 and Honda 53-33, and drew 29-29 with the Kubota Spears before losing 22-17 to Kobe Steel in their final five away fixtures last season.

The Wild Knights have lacked consistency towards the end of their previous campaign, but have registered four victories in their last five matches against Toshiba Brave Lupus in their own backyard.

Team News

Toshiba Brave Lupus

Head coach Todd Blackadder commented in pre-season about his side’s push for a third consecutive Japan Rugby League One title. He said: “I’m confident in what our team has built. I’m pleased with this journey, where we’ve controlled what we can control at a high level.”

New Signings: Andrew Macario (Kintetsu Liners), Callum McDonald (Tokyo Sungoliath), Michael Stolberg (Black Rams), Netani Vakayalia (Black Rams), Teejay Clark (Wellington Hurricanes).

The Wild Knights

Former assistant coach Atsushi Kanazawa has been appointed as the new head coach of the Wild Knights for the upcoming season. He said: “I am honoured to be appointed head coach of the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. I would like to express my sincere respect and gratitude to former head coach Robbie Deans, who has led the team for so many years and achieved so much. The six seasons I spent under him were a tremendous learning experience for me."

New Signings: Jayden Joubert (South African High School Representative), Tristan Joubert.

Verdict

Toshiba Brave Lupus v Wild Knights

Toshiba Brave Lupus have an outstanding record at home and are tipped to cover the -3.5 handicap in their Japan Rugby League One clash with the Wild Knights.