All Black backrower Shannon Frizell scored four tries as Toshiba Brave Lupus beat Kobelco Kobe Steelers 46-39 at Noevir Stadium, inflicting former Wallaby coach Dave Rennie's first defeat since his move to Japan Rugby League One.
The former Highlander scored two tries in each half while his New Zealand teammate Richie Mo'unga kicked 16 points, as the visitors led for most of the contest to retain their unbeaten record after three rounds.
Ex-Highlanders midfield back Rob Thompson was also a try-scorer for Brave Lupus, who outscored their hosts by six tries to five, with ex-All Black centre Ngane Laumape on the try-sheet for the hosts.
The upset of the round came at Osaka where the defending champion Kubota Spears Tokyo Bay fell to their second defeat of the season, already one more than they suffered last term, in losing 23-19 against Shizuoka Blue Revs.
Wallaby Bernard Foley scored the first try of the game for Kubota, who welcomed All Black hooker Dane Coles for his club debut in the second half, but it was Foley's opposite Kenta Iemura who proved the difference as he scored 13 points.
This included the match-winning try in the 83rd minute to give the Blue Revs their first win of the season.
In today's third match in Division One, Tokyo Sungoliath coasted to a 34-16 win over the still winless Mie Heat.
Former Wallaby Curtis Rona was on the scoresheet for the third week running on Saturday but was unable to prevent Sagamihara Dynaboars suffering their first defeat of the season against Toyota Verblitz.
New Zealand's Beauden Barrett kicked seven from eight as Verblitz won 54-40 at Nagoya, despite Rona and ex-All Black backrower Jackson Hemopo each scoring two tries for Sagamihara.
Saitama Wild Knights remain unbeaten and lead the table heading into the Christmas break after overpowering Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo 44-17, while Springbok Faf de Klerk won the battle of the international halfbacks as Yokohama Eagles outclassed ex-Wallaby Will Genia's Hanazono Liners, 66-26.
Division Two provided a benefit for the Kerevi brothers, with Samu scoring two tries in Urayasu D-Rocks' 52-22 win away to Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves, while elder brother Joshua also scored twice as Shuttles Aichi kept their place at the top of the table by thumping Matt Cockbain's Red Hurricanes Osaka 71-12.
Former Waratahs backrower Taleni Sau was also a try-scorer for the Shuttles.
