Rugby: Japan's League One

Rugby: Japan's League One

Yokohama Canon Eagles players (red and black) celebrate after coming from behind to beat Toyota Verblitz in a Japan Rugby League One match on March 18, 2022, at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo.

Rugby: Japan's League One

Rugby: Japan's League One

Toyota Verblitz's Kaito Shigeno (C) passes the ball during the first half of a Japan Rugby League One match against Yokohama Canon Eagles on March 18, 2022, at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo.

Rugby: Japan's League One

Rugby: Japan's League One

Yokohama Canon Eagles' Kobus van Dyk (L) runs with the ball during the first half of a Japan Rugby League One match against Toyota Verblitz on March 18, 2022, at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo.

Rugby: Japan's League One

Rugby: Japan's League One

Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath's Damian McKenzie kicks a conversion during the first half of a Japan Rugby League One match against Toyota Verblitz on Jan. 16, 2022, at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, western Tokyo.

Rugby: Japan's League One

Rugby: Japan's League One

Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath's Damian McKenzie (R) passes the ball during the second half of a Japan Rugby League One match against Toyota Verblitz on Jan. 16, 2022, at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chofu, western Tokyo.

Goromaru passes milestone

Goromaru passes milestone

Brave Blossoms' Ayumu Goromaru attends a press conference in Nagoya on Nov. 14, 2015, after his Yamaha Jubilo beat Toyota Verblitz 18-11 in a Top League game. Goromaru scored his 1,000th Top League point during the first half of the game. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Goromaru passes milestone

Goromaru passes milestone

Brave Blossoms' Ayumu Goromaru sharpens concentration before a goal-kicking during the first half of a Japan Top League game between his Yamaha Jubilo and Toyota Verblitz in Nagoya on Nov. 14, 2015. In the game, Goromaru passed 1,000 Top League points. Yamaha Jubilo beat Toyota Verblitz 18-11. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Goromaru passes milestone

Goromaru passes milestone

Brave Blossoms' Ayumu Goromaru sharpens concentration before a goal-kicking during the first half of a Japan Top League game between his Yamaha Jubilo and Toyota Verblitz in Nagoya on Nov. 14, 2015. In the game, Goromaru passed 1,000 Top League points. Yamaha Jubilo beat Toyota Verblitz 18-11. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Goromaru passes milestone

Goromaru passes milestone

Brave Blossoms' Ayumu Goromaru scores his 1,000th Top League point during the first half of a game between his Yamaha Jubilo and Toyota Verblitz in Nagoya on Nov. 14, 2015. Yamaha Jubilo beat Toyota Verblitz 18-11. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Tiatia named new Sunwolves coach, signs 2-year deal

Rugby: Tiatia named new Sunwolves coach, signs 2-year deal

Photo taken in 2004 shows Filo Tiatia scoring a try in Toyota Verblitz's 63-22 win over Kintetsu Liners in a Top League match at Hananzono Rugby Stadium in Higashi-Osaka, western Japan. Tiatia was named the new coach of the Sunwolves on Sept. 12, 2016, agreeing to a two-year contract with the Japanese Super Rugby side. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Goromaru passes milestone

Goromaru passes milestone

Brave Blossoms' Ayumu Goromaru scores his 1,000th Top League point during the first half of a game between his Yamaha Jubilo and Toyota Verblitz in Nagoya on Nov. 14, 2015. Yamaha Jubilo beat Toyota Verblitz 18-11. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Toyota Verblitz players look dejected after losing 48-21 to Panasonic Wild Knights in the semifinal of the Japan Top League knockout tournament at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, Osaka prefecture, on May 15, 2021.

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Kenki Fukuoka scores the opening try during the first half of Panasonic Wild Knights' 48-21 semifinal win over Toyota Verblitz in the Japan Top League knockout tournament at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, Osaka prefecture, on May 15, 2021.

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Players from Panasonic Wild Knights celebrate their 48-21 semifinal win over Toyota Verblitz in the Japan Top League knockout tournament at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, Osaka prefecture, on May 15, 2021.

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Kenki Fukuoka (R) runs on his way to scoring the opening try during the first half of Panasonic Wild Knights' 48-21 semifinal win over Toyota Verblitz in the Japan Top League knockout tournament at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, Osaka prefecture, on May 15, 2021.

Rugby: Kazuki Himeno

Rugby: Kazuki Himeno

Japanese rugby player Kazuki Himeno, seen in this file photo, has decided to join Super Rugby's Highlanders in New Zealand next season, his club Toyota Verblitz said on Oct. 12, 2020.

Rugby: Kazuki Himeno

Rugby: Kazuki Himeno

Photo taken in October 2019 shows Kazuki Himeno of Japan running with the ball in a Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Scotland in Yokohama, Japan. Himeno has decided to join Super Rugby's Highlanders in New Zealand next season, Japanese club Toyota Verblitz said on Oct. 12, 2020.

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Simon Cron (L), head coach of Toyota Verblitz, watches the team's Top League rugby match against Yamaha Jubilo on Jan. 12, 2020, in Iwata, Japan, alongside former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, director of rugby at Toyota. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Rugby: Japan's Top League

Kwagga Smith of Yamaha Jubilo (R) competes for the ball with a Toyota Verblitz player during the second half of a Top League rugby match in Iwata, Japan, on Jan. 12, 2020. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Kieran Read trains with his new team in Japan

Rugby: Kieran Read trains with his new team in Japan

Former New Zealand rugby captain Kieran Read trains with his new team, Toyota Verblitz of Japan's Top League, in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture on Dec. 24, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Kieran Read trains with his new team in Japan

Rugby: Kieran Read trains with his new team in Japan

Former New Zealand rugby captain Kieran Read shakes hands with a fan after training with his new team, Toyota Verblitz of Japan's Top League, in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture on Dec. 24, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Kieran Read trains with his new team in Japan

Rugby: Kieran Read trains with his new team in Japan

Former New Zealand rugby captain Kieran Read trains with his new team, Toyota Verblitz of Japan's Top League, in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture on Dec. 24, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: All Blacks captain Kieran Read

Rugby: All Blacks captain Kieran Read

File photo shows All Blacks captain Kieran Read speaking in Tokyo on Oct. 26, 2018, a day before the third Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Yokohama. Read is set to join Toyota Verblitz following the Rugby World Cup in Japan, the Top League club said on March 6, 2019. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Toyota-Panasonic semifinal of Japan's Top League

Rugby: Toyota-Panasonic semifinal of Japan's Top League

Kenki Fukuoka (R) of Panasonic Wild Knights runs on his way to scoring a try during the first half of a Japan Rugby Top League semifinal match against Toyota Verblitz at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 6, 2018. Panasonic won 17-11. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Toyota-Panasonic semifinal of Japan's Top League

Rugby: Toyota-Panasonic semifinal of Japan's Top League

Digby Ioane (C) of Panasonic Wild Knights runs on his way to scoring a try during the first half of a Japan Rugby Top League semifinal match against Toyota Verblitz at Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka on Jan. 6, 2018. Panasonic won 17-11. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Toyota-NTT Communications Japan Top League match

Rugby: Toyota-NTT Communications Japan Top League match

Jamie Henry of Toyota Verblitz scores a try in the second half against NTT Communications Shining Arcs in a Japan Rugby Top League match at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Ground in Nagoya on Dec. 16, 2017. Toyota won 22-15. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Toyota-NTT Communications Japan Top League match

Rugby: Toyota-NTT Communications Japan Top League match

Kazuki Himeno of Toyota Verblitz scores a try in the second half against NTT Communications Shining Arcs in a Japan Rugby Top League match at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Ground in Nagoya on Dec. 16, 2017. Toyota won 22-15. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Kotaro Matsushima (C) of Suntory Sungoliath runs with the ball in the first half of their 32-31 win over Toyota Verblitz in a Japan Rugby Top League game at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory's win left them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Kosei Ono (R) of Suntory Sungoliath is tackled by Lionel Cronje of Toyota Verblitz during the first half of a Japan Rugby Top League game at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory fought back to beat Toyota 32-31, leaving them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Koki Hirano (C) of Toyota Verblitz scores a try in the second half of a Japan Top League match against Suntory Sungoliath at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory fought back to beat Toyota 32-31, leaving them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Defending champs Suntory steal victory from jaws of defeat

Daishi Murata (C) scores a try in the second half of Suntory Sungoliath's 32-31 win over Toyota Verblitz in a Japan Top League match at Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium in Kyoto on Oct. 15, 2017. Suntory's win left them top of the Red Conference with 38 points, 10 more than Kobe Kobelco Steelers, with Verblitz third on 24. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Rugby: Goromaru marks return to Japan Top League

Rugby: Goromaru marks return to Japan Top League

Ayumu Goromaru (L) runs with the ball in the second half of Yamaha Jubilo's 14-11 win over Toyota Verblitz at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, on Aug. 18, 2017. Goromaru marked his return to the Japan Rugby Top League with two conversions. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sungoliath beat Verblitz in Japan Rugby Top League match

Sungoliath beat Verblitz in Japan Rugby Top League match

Shota Emi of Suntory Sungoliath gets a try during the first half of a Japan Rugby Top League match against Toyota Verblitz at Toyota Stadium on Dec. 17, 2016. Sungoliath maintained their unbeaten run with a 37-24 victory over Verblitz. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Sungoliath beats Verblitz in Japan Rugby Top League match

Sungoliath beats Verblitz in Japan Rugby Top League match

Shota Emi of Suntory Sungoliath gets a try during the first half of a Japan Rugby Top League match against Toyota Verblitz at Toyota Stadium on Dec. 17, 2016. Sungoliath maintained their unbeaten run with a 37-24 victory over Verblitz. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo