Ian Foster bags first win, Springboks star in League One shoot out

Springbok pair Faf de Klerk and Jesse Kriel starred as Yokohama Canon Eagles beat the Shizuoka Blue Revs in a high-scoring shoot out by 53-35.

Kriel latched onto a chip kick for the Eagles’ second try of the game, sprinting away over 60 metres for the try.

Springbok teammate Kwagga Smith hit back for the Blue Revs first, before Kriel had an assist on one of the crazier passages of rugby seen at pro level.

No 8 Sione Halasili powered over to give the Eagles a 32-14 lead at half-time and Kriel bagged his second in an avalanche of second half tries.

Malo Tuitama bagged a double for the Blue Revs while former NRL cult hero Valynce Te Whare produced a brilliant try assist after a long break.

Israel Folau’s D-Rocks fought valiantly against reigning champions Brave Lupus Tokyo who were without All Black first five Richie Mo’unga, but came up short 22-14.

Mo’unga’s replacement Takuro Matsunaga had two try assists, while Australian fullback Michael Bond and capped Brave Blossom Jone Naikabula crossed for tries.

The son former Hurricanes cult hero Bill Cavubati, Caleb, starred for the losing side with a breakout game on the left wing.

He beat two defenders on one run to score from 40-metres out and finished with 168 run metres from 14 carries. He had a game-high nine defenders beaten.

Coming off the bench late, Folau scored a try in typical fashion, bursting through the line on halfway on a set play to close the gap to five points, but a late penalty by Brave Lupus iced the game.

Ian Foster’s Toyota Verblitz overcame a slow start and a 10-0 deficit to beat Black Rams Tokyo 32-18 for their first win of the season.

Some Aaron Smith brilliance almost set up the first try, getting two touches in the same movement before a deft offload to fullback Tiaan Falcon. The try was overruled after a forward pass earlier in the movement.

However, Falcon set up his right winger for a score before Smith combined with centre Joey Manu, who produced an assist for his midfield partner Nicholas McCurran.

Heading into the final 10 minutes the Verblitz were down 18-15, before a late surge got them home.

Manu produced his second try assist after a chip regather and pass on to his right winger at pace. A penalty goal restored a seven point lead at 25-18 before an intercept try to flanker William Tupou sealed the win.