Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Michael Hooper's rugby return turns into nightmare

TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 25: Michael Hooper of the Toyota Verblitz gestures during the Top League playoff tournament 2nd round between Toyota Verblitz and Hino Red Dolphins at Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground on April 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)

Former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper has endured a rough return to rugby union, being yellow carded for a professional foul as Verblitz were hammered 63-21 by Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League One.

ADVERTISEMENT

Playing his first match for 18 months after ending his retirement in favour of a second stint in Japan, the 33-year-old was almost reduced to the role of a spectator as his former Wallaby bosses’ charges ran riot on Saturday.

Kobe piled on six first-half tries, all of which were converted by ex-Chiefs flyhalf Bryn Gatland, as they romped to a 42-7 halftime lead.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

While Verblitz showed more resistance after the break, the demolition heaped further pressure on their ex-All Black coaches, Steve Hansen and Ian Foster, with the loss the team’s seventh of the season, dropping them into the relegation zone of the 12-team league.

The bonus-point win consolidated Kobe’s position in the top six on a good day for the league’s former Wallaby coaches, with the Robbie Deans-coached Saitama Wild Knights extending their lead at the top-of-the-table after a 39-10 win over Sagamihara Dynaboars.

Brave Lupus Tokyo remain second but dropped a further point behind the leaders after being denied a bonus point from a nail-biting 45-44 win over Black Rams Tokyo.

The defending champions appeared set for a comfortable afternoon after jumping to a 19-3 lead but the Black Rams, who were inspired by All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara, refused to concede, finally finishing within a missed conversion of the upset of the season.

ADVERTISEMENT

While the result was not an upset, the margin of Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bays’ 62-14 win over Shizuoka Blue Revs in the battle between the third and fourth ranked sides was eye-catching.

This was especially so of the game’s last 10 minutes, where Shizuoka appeared to throw in the towel as the Spears scored four tries.

The late scoring burst meant the Blue Revs conceded nine tries, which was many as they had conceded in their opening three matches of the season.

Shizuoka remain fourth, although they are now seven points behind the Spears, who have closed to within two of Brave Lupus.

ADVERTISEMENT

In Division Two, former Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia scored twice while All Black backrower Akira Ioane claimed his first try in Japan, as Hanazono Liners crushed Kyushu Voltex 39-12 to move up to third on the point’s table.

Download the RugbyPass app now!

News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

Reds vs Force

LIVE

Hong Kong SVNS | Day 3

Hong Kong SVNS | Day 1

Behind the Scenes with the Australian Rugby Sevens Team in Hong Kong | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 9

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

When the referee is put in an impossible position? | Whistle Watch

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Boks Office | Episode 38 | Six Nations Round 5 Review

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Armelle Boudreaux 4 hours ago
Ollie Chessum back after Six Nations injury scare: All Premiership teams this weekend

Exploring new cultures, meeting people, and experiencing the world has been a lifelong dream of mine. Last year, I decided to plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. I spent months researching destinations, creating itineraries, and saving up $8000 for the adventure. When I came across a travel agency offering an unbeatable package deal, I thought I had struck gold. The website looked professional, the reviews seemed genuine, and the agent I spoke to was incredibly persuasive. I paid the full amount upfront, excited to finally make my dream trip a reality. However, as the departure date approached, I noticed red flags. My emails to the agency went unanswered, and when I tried calling, the number was disconnected. Panic set in as I realized I had been scammed. My dream trip was slipping away, and I had lost $8000.Devastated, I turned to Tech Cyber Force Recovery for help. I had heard about their success in tracing online fraud and recovering funds for victims like me. I provided them with all the details: the fake website, the transaction records, and the emails from the scammer. Tech Cyber Force Recovery team was incredibly understanding and assured me they would do everything possible to help. Using their expertise in digital forensics, they traced the scammer’s digital footprint and identified the offshore account to which my money had been transferred. They worked tirelessly with international authorities to freeze the account and recover the funds. Within a few weeks, they successfully returned the $8000 to me. The relief was indescribable. Not only did I get my money back, but I also learned valuable lessons about verifying online services and protecting myself from scams. Thanks to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, I was able to rebook my trip through a legitimate agency and finally embark on my dream adventure. They didn’t just recover my funds; they restored my faith in justice and gave me the chance to create unforgettable memories. Reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery Team for assistance TELEGRAM (At)techcyberforc EMAIL Tech cybers force recovery (At)cyber services(dot)com

0 Go to comments
J
Jay Shredder 5 hours ago
Super Rugby Pacific's rebirth can finally restore the missing All Blacks edge

Like many crypto enthusiasts, My dad was initially drawn to the platform by its seemingly professional interface, an array of cryptocurrencies available for trading, and the alluring promises of high returns. The exchange looked reputable, offering a seamless user experience. Dad decided to deposit a significant amount of $50,000 to try his hand at crypto trading. Everything appeared legitimate, and after a few weeks, his account balance had grown to over $200,000. I remember how thrilled he was with his success and wanted to cash out some of his profits. However, when he tried to withdraw funds, problems began to emerge. The platform’s customer service team contacted him with an urgent request: to unlock his funds, he would need to deposit an additional $40,000. The explanation provided was that there were "processing fees" associated with large withdrawals, and that this extra deposit was required before the investor could access any of his money. That’s when I began doing my research and in the process, I found that this is in fact a common scheme. My brother in-law recommended a Tech company called GearHead Engineers, which has been helping victims like my dad to successfully withdraw their funds without paying the unfair fees. We did contact them through their email, gearhead(@)engineer(.)com and after a series of communication, they got back every single penny back. This only took them 4 days. I must admit that we were impatient but it turned out great. Reach out to them.

19 Go to comments
Z
Zhang Lucas 5 hours ago
Waratahs turn to 'tough bugger' for captaincy with more history on the line

Review of OPTIMISTIC HACKER GAIUS: A Reliable Recovery Service 

I recently fell victim to a scam on LinkedIn that led to the loss of a significant amount of cryptocurrency—850,571,050 to be precise. Initially, I felt hopeless and frustrated, but then I came across OPTIMISTIC HACKER GAIUS through a recommendation from a friend who had previously utilized his services.From the moment I contacted Gaius, I was impressed by his professionalism and expertise. He took the time to listen to my situation and assured me that he could help recover my lost funds. Gaius immediately set to work, utilizing advanced techniques and tools that I had never even heard of. His knowledge of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency was remarkably in-depth, and it gave me hope that my funds could be traced and returned.

Throughout the process, Gaius kept me updated with regular progress reports. He was transparent about the steps he was taking, which made me feel involved and reassured. What impressed me the most was his ability to track down the scammer’s digital footprints. He managed to analyze transaction histories and cross-reference data that ultimately led to the recovery of my funds. In just a few weeks, Gaius successfully recovered the entire amount I had lost. The relief I felt was indescribable, and I couldn’t thank him enough. His dedication and expertise saved me from what seemed like an irretrievable situation. I truly believe that without Gaius's skills, I would have never seen my cryptocurrency again. If you ever find yourself in a similar unfortunate situation, I cannot recommend OPTIMISTIC HACKER GAIUS highly enough. He is reliable, knowledgeable, and results-driven. Thank you, Gaius, for your exceptional service and for giving me my peace of mind back! 

Visit their website: https://optimistichackargaius.com

0 Go to comments
A
Alisha Grace 6 hours ago
Brumbies vs Highlanders: Welcome to the party, Aussies outmuscle Kiwis again

The Team That Reclaimed My Stolen Cryptocurrency/ Hack Savvy Tech


As an Australian student with a deep passion for studying law in the UK, I have always been committed to pursuing higher education and advancing my career. My dream was to attend one of the prestigious universities in the UK, and like many students, I was searching for scholarships to ease the financial burden of studying abroad. However, what began as an exciting opportunity soon turned into a nightmare.I came across an advertisement on Facebook for a scholarship opportunity, which promised to cover all my tuition fees and living expenses. The offer seemed too good to be true, but as a young student eager to pursue my dreams, I didn’t think twice. The scholarship application process appeared legitimate, and I was soon in contact with someone who claimed to represent a reputable organization. I was asked to pay an upfront fee as part of the application process, which I believed would be reimbursed once I received the scholarship. Excited about the possibility of studying in the UK, I didn't hesitate to pay the required amount AUD 15,000.The money I paid wasn’t just from my own savings; my parents had to borrow the money to help me fulfill my dream. They trusted that I was making the right decision, and they supported me in this endeavor, hoping that it would set me on a path to a successful future. Unfortunately, as the weeks passed, I received no updates, and all communication from the supposed scholarship provider suddenly stopped. When I tried to reach out, the contact information I had was no longer working, and the website I had applied through was taken down. Realizing that I had fallen victim to a scam, I was devastated. The money, which my parents had borrowed with great effort and sacrifice, was gone, and my hopes for studying abroad seemed shattered.Feeling helpless, I turned to various recovery services, hoping that someone could help me get my money back. Most services offered little more than false promises and vague advice, leaving me feeling more frustrated than ever. That’s when I discovered HACK SAVVY TECH. After extensive research and reading positive reviews from other scam victims, I decided to give them a try. HACK SAVVY TECH acted swiftly, gathering all the necessary information, tracking the scammer's digital footprint, and initiating the recovery process. To my relief, after several weeks, they successfully recovered the full amount of AUD 15,000. I couldn’t believe that what seemed like an impossible task had become a reality.Now, I wholeheartedly recommend HACK SAVVY TECH to fellow students and anyone who may find themselves in a similar situation. They provided me with both the expertise and the support I needed, restoring not only my finances but also my faith in the possibility of recovering from such a terrible experience. If you ever find yourself in a situation like mine, I encourage you to trust HACK SAVVY TECH they truly know how to help.


mail: contactus@hacksavvytechnology.com

Website: https://hacksavvytechrecovery.com

Whatsapp : +79998295038

2 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ ‘You feel the interest, that motivates you too’: Guido Petti wooed by Quins' personal touch ‘You feel the interest, that motivates you too’: Guido Petti wooed by Quins' personal touch
Search