Brave Lupus Tokyo saw off potential playoff opponents Tokyo Sungoliath 36-27 in the penultimate round of the Japan Rugby League One season on Saturday.
Winger Michael Collins scored a brace of tries for the derby winners, who have locked up second place and will meet either Sungoliath or Yokohama Eagles in the semifinals on May 19.
With star playmaker Richie Mo'unga sitting out, No. 10 Hayata Nakao put Brave Lupus on the board with a penalty before Jone Naikabula's storming run set the stage for Seta Tamanivalu to score the opening try at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Naikabula was also involved in the team's second, collecting Nakao's chip ahead and teeing up Nicholas McCurran to take a 17-3 lead with the conversion.
Sungoliath winger Seiya Ozaki's converted try cut the deficit to 17-10 at the break before the New Zealand-born Collins finished a stellar passing movement for his first five-pointer in the 46th minute. The former Highlanders and Ospreys man dotted down again for a 36-15 lead in the 66th minute.
Among Saturday's other matches, the fourth-place Eagles lost 35-31 to Toyota Verblitz but earned a bonus point to move within one point of third-place Sungoliath, while leaders Saitama Wild Knights beat Hanazono Liners 33-24 for their 15th straight win from the opening round.
Related coverage:
Rugby: Head coach Jones lauds Tanaka's role in changing Japan's game
Rugby: Brave Lupus handcuff Eagles, extend unbeaten run to 7 games
Rugby: Brave Lupus grind out 24-20 victory over Spears
