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Springboks produce try-scoring frenzy in Japan

Cheslin Kolbe of Tokyo Sungoliath waves for fans after the NTT Japan Rugby League One match between Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath v Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo at Ajinomoto Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Chofu, Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images)

Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath’s impressive young fly-half Mikiya Takamoto missed a last-minute conversion attempt as his side played out its second draw in as many weeks in Japan Rugby League One on Sunday.

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Sungoliath drew 26-26 with Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay with the 23-year-old Takamoto, who is joint-second in the standings for the most points so far in the season, having scored the opening try of the game, before suffering the mortification of his late missed goal-kick.

The five-time champions of Japan, who drew with Toyota Verblitz last week, ended round four in strange territory for them, second from bottom in the standings.

The competition is currently led by Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights who on Sunday chalked up win number four with a drama filled 48-24 win over Mie Honda Heat, who finished the game with 13 men after a late red card to Los Pumas back-rower Pablo Matera, and yellow to centre Kyogo Okano, both for dangerous play.

Fixture
Japan Rugby League One
Tokyo Sungoliath
26 - 26
Full-time
Kubota Spears
All Stats and Data

Earlier, Wild Knights winger Koki Takeyama scored a first half hat-trick as the home side motored to a 33-5 halftime lead.

Fellow winger Lemeki Lomano Lava led a Heat revival by completing a hat-trick of his own, as they closed to 33-24 with 20 minutes to play, but the threat was shut down by Saitama, who saw the game out with its final two tries.

On a good weekend for Springbok internationals, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars winger Kurt-Lee Arendse scored his third and fourth tries of the campaign to lead his side to an upset 34-26 win over Kobelco Kobe Steelers, who fell to ninth after their third defeat of the season.

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Cheslin Kolbe had scored for Suntory while Arendse’s two tries matched those scored by the pair’s fellow Springbok, centre Jesse Kriel, who crossed twice as Yokohama Canon Eagles ended Shizuoka Blue Revs’ unbeaten run with Saturday’s 53-35 success.

Shizuoka ‘wonder’ winger Malo Tuitama was also at it again, scoring two of the game’s 13 tries, which took his record to eight from the last three weeks.

Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo had to work hard to get past winless Urayasu D-Rocks in the opening game of the weekend, with last year’s Division Two champions briefly in sight of an upset, before a late penalty goal by Takuro Matsunaga confirmed a 22-14 win.

Urayasu’s injury plagued star Israel Folau bolted 60 metres for D-Rocks’ second try, which was the 35-year-old’s 16th from just 26 matches across four seasons since his arrival in Japan.

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Saturday’s other match in Division One saw Toyota Verblitz come from behind to beat Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo 32-18 to record their first win, with dangerous winger Taichi Takahashi bagging his second try-scoring double of the season to extend his tally to 23 tries from his last 30 appearances.

All Black back-rower Akira Ioane is still to experience a win since his move to Hanazono Kintetsu Liners after his side were defeated 36-17 by Division Two leaders Red Hurricanes Osaka.

Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima lead the way in Division Three following a thumping 57-13 win over Wycliff Palu’s Kurita Water Gush Akishima saw them record three wins in-a-row for the first time since 2017.

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M
Mzilikazi 35 minutes ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

I did not think there would have been such a big Irish contingent, and must admit I am surprised by some of the selections. For example injury has taken Hanson back a long way in my opinion, and would agree with the comments on Darcy Graham being the better player over the past year.


Ryan also surprises me. I recall a couple of years before the last Lions tour, out to SA, he was being talked of as a possible captain. He then lost form, and was not selected. I don’t feel he has ever fully met the early hopes many of us would have had for him. Not even a first choice for Ireland.


I am happy to see the second Irish hooker in the squad. I highly rate Kelleher, but would concede George is very unlucky…fine player, good leader. And very happy to see Conan going….very smart player, who from all accounts has had to work very hard to get to the level he is at. Was never a noted school boy star. Interestingly, neither was van der Flier.


I’m not convinced Itoje will be a good captain. Very good lineout technican, but has tended to be a very niggly type of player, and concedes a lot of penalties. For example saw him put in a silly shoulder block off the ball playing for Saracens against Sale. He can also have games where is ineffective for periods. Not sure how he would go if it were the ABs or Boks, not that I’m writing the WB’s off as having no chance.


Despite my Irish heritage, neither am I happy to see Sexton in the coaching team. The Prendergast of the coaching world ? Would have thought he should have some time as a coach at some level before being so elevated.

76 Go to comments
R
Ronan Furlong 51 minutes ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

“Why did England beat France but Ireland concede over 40 at home to the same opponents?”


Because France embarrassingly butchered the match against England by playing their worst game in about 4 years, and because the wounded real France turned up in Dublin a few weeks later with pride on the line.


I’m not basing my theory around the current Leinster …. I’m basing my theory around Kelleher being better than George at playing as an edge forward a la Sheehan (which is what Faz wants - hence no Dewi Lake either). I’m basing my theory on the absolute stupidity of anyone (like you) thinking Wainwright is a better 8 than Conan. I'm basing my theory on the stupidity of you wanting to take an unavailable Martin over James Ryan.


By the way, the “current Leinster” you're so happy to deride, are top of the URC and reached this years Euro semi finals, just like Saints. I didn’t notice any other English teams in the semis, did you? Are Sarries, Leceister, Quins, Sale et al not as good as Leinster? Presumably, by your logic, that means they are also overrepresented in the lions squad? Or does performance in Europe only matter for lions selection when Leinster lose by 4 points (as opposed to Leicester and Quins getting utterly embarrassed by URC teams?)


Let’s see how Saints get on against Bordeaux shall we? If they lose by more than Munster and Ulster lost to Bordeaux, should we be rethinking the inclusion of so many Saints players?


Of course not, as only an idiot would drop an entire cohort of players due to one lost game now, wouldn’t they?


p.s. I’m not surprised you’re welsh and cheering for England, as it’s a common 'Stockholm Syndrome’ trait from where you’re from. I'm a

little more surprised at your overt, small man bias against Leinster.


p.p.s Hansen is the lucky Irish player in the squad, no one else. But being from Connacht, he doesn’t fit your narrative does he? Partly because even you can't find a remotely deserving fit English or Welsh winger to replace him, can you?

76 Go to comments
M
Maria Zambrano 1 hour ago
As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?

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LONG READ As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right? As the balance of power shifts away from Ireland, has Andy Farrell got his Lions calls right?
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