Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay

Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay (commonly known as the Kubota Spears) is a Japanese rugby union team based in Funabashi, Chiba participating in the Japan Rugby League One. The team rebranded as Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay ahead of the rebranding of the Top League as the Japan Rugby League One in 2022.

History

The original rugby club was formed in 1978 by volunteers at the Kubota companies headquarters.

In 1984 the team won the Kanto Amateur League Division 4 and later on won the promotion match to be moved up to the Kanto Amateur League Division 3. After promotion in 1994 the team won all of their games in the Kanto Amateur League Division 2, and after winning the promotion match were finally promoted to the first division. In 1996 after only one year into them being in the first division, they had won their first championship, but later failed to win the promotion match 19-22 to enter the East Japan Amateur League. The year after in 1997 the team won their second championship and in 1998 they won their promotion match moving them up to the East Japan Amateur League.

In the early 2000's they continued to play in East Japan Amateur League continually placing around 3rd or 4th. During 2003 they had joined the Top League but had a rough time placing 8th, barely managing to stay in the league but they still had the opportunity to play in the Microsoft Cup and Japan Championship. During the mid 2000's they continually played poorly and ended up towards the bottom of the league multiple years in a row, and after a disappointing season in 2010 placing 13th with 1 win, 11 loses, and 1 draw, the team was automatically removed from the Top League. In 2012 the team had won the East Japan Amateur League again returning themselves to the Top League. In 2013 the Top League had rebranded and during this season they had won 9 games and lost 5 which was a considerable turn around from there previous time in the league. In 2016 they appointed a new head coach Frans Ludeke, and a new team captain Masamichi Tachikawa.

In 2021 they had beaten the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the quarter finals and for the first time placed top 4 in the Top League. In 2022 they continued playing in the rebranded Japan Rugby League One, finishing the year in 3rd place. In 2023, the team had won a historic opening game against Tokyo Sungoliath, and had finished the season with 14 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. They beat Tokyo Sungoliath in the semi-finals and in the finals match against the Saitama Wild Knights they had won 17-15 securing the first ever league championship victory for the team.

During the 2024 season they had a harder season, struggling with the opening games and ended up at 6th place by the end of the season, not making it to the playoffs.

Current squad

The Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay squad for the 2024-25 season is:

** denotes players qualified to play for the Japan on dual nationality or residency grounds.

Honors

* Japan Rugby League One - Division 1
** Won: 2023
* Kanto Amateur League - Division 1
** Won: 1996, 1997

Former players

* Viliami Ofahengaue
* Joe Roff - Fullback/wing
* Barrie-Jon Mather - Centre/wing
* Marty Veale - Lock
*Kōtarō Nakamura - Wing/fullback
* Jason O'Halloran
* Cameron Pither
* Shunji Ishikura - Lock
* Joshua Fuimaono
* Justin Sampson
* Toutai Kefu
* Duane Vermeulen
* Ryan Crotty
* Dane Coles
* Liam Williams

Notes

References

External links

Kubota Spears
- Official Website

{{Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay squad

Japan Rugby League One teams
Rugby clubs established in 1978
Sports clubs and teams in Chiba Prefecture
1978 establishments in Japan