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The clear winner in the battle of the All Black scrumhalves in Japan
TJ Perenara won the battle of the All Black scrumhalves as Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo scored a crucial 37-7 win over Toyota Verblitz to move to within four points of the playoffs positions in today’s Japan Rugby League One action.
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Aaron Smith’s side barely escaped the indignity of being held scoreless, with South African second rower Adre Smith crossing in 78th minute to spare their blushes in the Black Rams’ four-try-to-one victory.
Toyota’s discipline has unravelled in recent weeks, and they shot themselves in the foot again with the concession of two first half yellow cards, after having conceded a yellow and a red last week.
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Yesterday saw a change at the top of the leaderboard after Shizuoka BlueRevs shocked Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 56-26.
Despite the absence of their inspirational skipper Kwagga Smith, the BlueRevs hit Brave Lupus with three tries during a 10-minute period in the first half to race to a 26-0 halftime advantage, putting the outcome beyond doubt.
The fourth-placed Shizuoka, who had already beaten the defending champions earlier in the season, continued their assault after the break, with their eighth and final try contributing to a 21-point haul by the former Queensland Reds flyhalf Sam Greene.
The result allowed Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights to return to top spot following their 53-33 win over Mie Honda Heat on Friday night.
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Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay also took advantage of the now third-placed Toshiba’s stumble, climbing above them after today’s 30-10 win over Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath on a damp afternoon in Osaka.
A dominant forward display wore Suntory down, with Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx scoring the sixth try from his last seven appearances, and 32nd of his 42-game Kubota career.
Yokohama Canon Eagles chances of returning to the playoffs suffered another blow following a 38-28 defeat by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars.
Glenn Delaney’s men took control in the second half after the scores had been locked 21-21 at the break.
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While Sagamihara have equalled their best return in Division One with six wins, they remain a longshot for the playoffs, five points behind sixth-placed Sungoliath with three games to go.
Dave Rennie’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers rebounded from last week’s 11-try mauling by Brave Lupus, scoring four second half tries to beat Urayasu D-Rocks 33-20.
Wallaby midfielder Samu Kerevi’s eighth try of the season helped D-Rocks to a 12-7 lead, but they were overrun in the second period, with the Kobe resurgence led by their skipper Brodie Retallick.
The All Black second rower missed the Brave Lupus rout, but forced his way over for his ninth try of the season yesterday, tying ex-test teammate Shannon Frizell for the most by a forward to this stage of the competition.
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