Brave Lupus replace Todd Blackadder as head coach

Brave Lupus have confirmed a coaching change ahead of the new Japan Rugby League One season, with Joshua Syms replacing Todd Blackadder as head coach.

Joshua Syms Named Brave Lupus Head Coach

Syms has been promoted from forwards coach to head coach after Blackadder’s seven-year spell in charge of the Fuchu-based club came to an end.

Blackadder, a former All Blacks captain and ex-Bath Director of Rugby, guided Brave Lupus to back-to-back League One titles in 2024 and 2025. He will now move into a High-Performance Director and Advisor role with the club.

Todd Blackadder Moves Into Advisory Role

Blackadder joined Brave Lupus in 2019 and became one of the longest-serving head coaches in Japan’s top division.

His tenure will be remembered for delivering consecutive championships, making Brave Lupus the first club to win back-to-back titles in the League One era.

However, the club’s attempt to win a third straight title ended in the play-offs after a difficult, injury-hit campaign. Brave Lupus finished sixth in the league before losing 26-3 to Kubota Spears in the quarter-finals.

Brave Lupus Rebuild After Star Departures

The coaching change comes during a wider squad transition. Brave Lupus have already moved to replace Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell and Seta Tamanivalu with the signings of David Havili, Jack Dempsey and Aphelele Fassi.

Last season was disrupted by injuries and absences, with key players including Michael Leitch and Frizell missing significant time. Japan captain Warner Dearns also spent the campaign in New Zealand with the Hurricanes.