Former Wallabies' coach Dave Rennie has watched his Kobe Steelers side fall to their second defeat in three matches to open the Japan rugby season as they lost 32-26 against Brave Lupus in Tokyo.
The Brave Lupus was helped by a red card in the 59th minute from reserve Kobe Steelers prop Kauvaka Kaivelata, which gave the Todd Blackadder-coached Brave Lupus all of the momentum heading into the last quarter of the game.
Wellington may have finished in top spot on the National Provincial Championship standings, but the Lions still have a point to prove this coming Friday.
The top 50 prospects under 23 years of age currently plying their trade in New Zealand features three capped All Blacks already.
Coach Clayton McMillan has reshuffled the Chiefs’ backline ahead of their clash with the Western Force on Friday night.
With some genuine star power back in the mix this week, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has issued a challenge to every player in the squad.
Playmaker for the NPC-winning Taranaki side in 2023, Josh Jacomb will spark interest starting at fullback, having surprisingly not made the Chiefs squad for 2024.
The Chiefs will be with their full complement when they board the plane for the land of the rising sun, including their All Blacks in the travelling squad for their preseason tour.
The Chiefs will head into the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season as heavy favourites after a stellar 2023 season ended in a devastating loss to perennial winners the Crusaders.