Toyota Verblitz captain Kazuki Himeno is tackled during a Japan Rugby League One match against Kubota Spears at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Dec. 22, 2024. (Kyodo)
TOKYO (Kyodo) — Toyota Verblitz were unable to make a winning start to their Japan Rugby League One campaign on Sunday, but head coach Steve Hansen is confident his star-studded team will be in contention at the business end of the season.
Following a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2023-2024 competition, the former All Blacks boss stepped out of Toyota’s front office and back into the coaching box.
Joining him as co-coach this season is fellow former All Blacks tactician Ian Foster, who steered New Zealand to second place at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and was Hansen’s assistant on the 2015 World Cup-winning team.
Toyota led by as much as 14 before losing 30-27 to Kubota Spears on Bernard Foley’s drop goal after the hooter at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Hansen was nevertheless positive about the performance of his team, who have added the likes of Japan flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda, Scotland lock Richie Gray and former rugby league superstar Joseph Manu as they seek to shake off the tag of League One underachievers.
“Obviously, losing a game in the 82nd minute of match play through a drop goal hurts,” Hansen said in his post-match press conference.
“We’d been in front for most of the game, however, it’s something that happens in sport and we’ve got to accept that and move on (and) get better through working hard on the training field. The boys are doing that, so I’m very proud of them.”
Hansen said Toyota would examine how they adapted to changes in opposing lineups and tactics after Kubota were able to shift the momentum of the game when their head coach Frans Ludeke turned to his bench.
“We’ve got to learn to deal with things like that in the future, however, it’s a long season and we’re very positive about our performance,” Hansen said.
“We have to go away and keep working hard and get our processes right. Keep building and grow in confidence and I’m sure we’ll be there at the end of the season.”
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