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Watch: Damian McKenzie and Samu Kerevi score 27 of Suntory's 42 points in blowout
By Sam Smith
All Blacks playmaker Damian McKenzie and Wallabies midfielder Samu Kerevi continue to dominate Japan Rugby League One, starring in Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath’s 42-3 win over NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes Osaka.
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Kerevi bagged two tries and had another one disallowed, while McKenzie scored one, also had one disallowed, and finished with a personal tally of 17 points.
McKenzie got stuck into the action early when he pulled off a miraculous try saving tackle on 107kg South African hooker Franco Marais, doing enough to push Marais over the sideline to force a loose pass.
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With the game scoreless in the 26th minute, the 26-year-old first-five then sparked Suntory’s first break by taking a kick return back down the short side.
After a grubber kick through by Suntory, McKenzie almost had an intercept try when wing Red Hurricanes wing Larry Sulunga tried to field the kick and pass it back infield before going over the sideline.
McKenzie snatched the pass and ran away to score, only for the try to be called back as Sulunga’s foot was in touch.
The 40-test All Black then set up Suntory’s first try by firing a cutout pass to flanker Koji Iino steaming into a gap. Iino coasted through and ran 30 metres to score under the posts.
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Kerevi had his side’s second after combining with wing Tevita Li on the left edge. Cutting back off his left foot step, Kerevi showed great speed by busting through multiple Red Hurricanes defenders to cruise over.
Kerevi had his second try called back after a well-worked scrum play halfway through the second half, carrying multiple defenders over the line as he crashed over.
Comfortably ahead 21-3 with seven minutes to go, the star pair ramped up the intensity to score three tries to blow out the Red Hurricanes.
McKenzie finally got one after receiving the last pass from a Suntory break after moving to fullback late in the game.
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Kerevi then scored his second with a stunning individual effort, bumping off reserve back Koki Shigeno before fending off inside centre Paea Mifiposeti. He then swerved around the cover defence of wing Sulunga to score under the sticks.
Suntory Sungoliath are top of Division One with 11 wins and just one loss from their 12 games this season and are favourites to win the inaugural League One title after losing the last year’s Top League final.
