Kolbe, De Klerk star in losing efforts in JRLO

WRAP: The Wild Knights pulled off their late late show for the second time in three weeks when replacement prop Lisala Finau ploughed through a pile of defenders in the 84th minute to break Cheslin Kolbe’s Tokyo Sungoliath hearts in a thrilling 36-34 win that lit up Japan Rugby League One on Saturday.

After being denied by one point in the corresponding match between the two heavyweights earlier in the season, Sungoliath had appeared set for their first win over their traditional rivals since the resumption of rugby after the Covid pandemic, when they led 34-24 with seven minutes of regular time remaining.

There were more than seven minutes left as it turned out, and despite 24 points from their Springbok ‘superman’ Kolbe, which included his eighth try of the season as well as seven from nine off the boot, Sungoliath were unable to hang on.

Wild Knights fullback Ryuji Noguchi had scored in the 82nd minute to get the Wild Knights out of jail against Spears 32-30 in Round 11, but while he was a try-scorer again yesterday, it was replacement scrumhalf Hondo Atora’s maiden League One try seven minutes from time which unlocked the door to another escape, before Finau bashed it down.

The front-rower’s try, in what was the last play of the game, came after Saitama had laid siege to the Sungoliath goalline, having a ‘try’ by flyhalf Takuya Yamasawa ruled out just moments earlier by the television match official for off-the-ball interference.

Despite their 12th victory of the season, Saitama’s failure to secure a bonus point saw them drop below Spears on the standings, with the Spears, who have lost twice, becoming the third different team to top the table in as many weeks after strolling to a 51-7 win over Brave Lupus Tokyo.

The win, which extended their remarkable unbeaten record at Spears Edoriku Field in western Tokyo to 25 games, was achieved after an impressive performance which turned into a rout in the second spell when Spears put 34 points on their conquerors from last year’s grand final without reply.

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Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley collected 19 points to reassert his position at the top of the individual standings, becoming the first player to crack the 150 mark.

His haul included one of Spears’ seven tries.

The damage could have been even worse for the defending champions had Foley not been withdrawn with 10 minutes remaining, with replacement goal-kicker Shaun Stevenson missing two of his three conversion attempts, after the Australian had goaled six from six.

Todd Blackadder’s men continue to cling onto sixth place and a position in the play-offs despite their seventh consecutive defeat, but only due to the struggles of those immediately below them with BlueRevs, who were seventh, losing ground following a 20-41 defeat by third-placed Kobe Steelers.

The BlueRevs dropped two places, overtaken by each of Mie Heat and Verblitz following their wins over D-Rocks and Yokohama Eagles, respectively.

Kobe’s bonus-point win, which featured a 14th try of the season by skipper Brodie Retallick, closed their gap to the Wild Knights on the standings to two points.

The second-row marvel remains the competition’s leading try-scorer and is just four short of the record for the regular season, with five games remaining.

The best is the 18 tries scored by Sungoliath winger Seiya Ozaki three years ago.

Verblitz, who at one point earlier in the season were labouring in the relegation zone, are now just two points behind Brave Lupus following their meritorious 33-27 win at Yokohama.

Despite being reduced to 13 men in the final quarter after second rowers Lourens Erasmus and Hingano Lolohea were sin-binned within a minute of each other when their side led by nine, Aaron Smith’s side conceded just three points in their absence, holding the Eagles at bay until the finish.

The home side’s inability to capitalise against opponents reduced in complement was even more surprising given they had breached the Verblitz defence twice straight after half-time despite having been reduced to 14 men themselves, with veteran flyhalf Yu Tamura in the sinbin.

Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and backrower Amanaki Saumaki scored within two minutes of each other – de Klerk’s try, his fifth in four weeks – which had allowed the Eagles to overturn an 11-point deficit.

Verblitz had the final say, though – both in attack and defence – with tries by winger Viliame Tuidraki and backrower William Tupou reclaiming the lead, before some heroic scrambling in the late stages secured Steve Hansen’s charges their fourth win from five matches.

Sunday saw Heat push D-Rocks closer to the promotion/relegation series while enhancing their play-off aspirations, as they closed to within a point of Brave Lupus after administering a 43-17 lesson to the section’s tailenders at Miyagi.

Pablo Matera’s side scored seven tries to pick up the try-scoring bonus, with Fijian test hooker Tevita Ikanivere scoring twice, while former Hurricanes second-rower Mark Abbott also got his name on the scoresheet.

Urayasu’s two tries were scored by Springbok backrower Jasper Wiese and dual international Israel Folau, with the latter taking his tally for the season to seven.

Fifth-placed BlackRams Tokyo are just two points behind Sungoliath after hammering Sagamihara Dynaboars 33-7.

The BlackRams ran in five tries to their opponent’s one, with Sagamihara’s sole effort scored by Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am.

It was the 32-year-old’s third try in as many outings, showing he is far from a spent force as an attacking threat.

Fellow Springbok, flyhalf Manie Libbok, enjoyed his most profitable afternoon since arriving in Japan at the start of the season, scoring 19 points as Kintetsu Liners retained their place at the top of the Division Two standings by recording their ninth win of the campaign with a 59-31 victory over Kamaishi Seawaves.

The win avenged Kintetsu’s only defeat, which was suffered against the Iron Man of the North three weeks ago.

Aichi remain second after achieving a bonus point win over winless Red Dolphins, while Blue Sharks and Kyuden Voltex were also successful.

Division One results

Saturday March 28

Spears 51-7, Brave Lupus Tokyo
Kobe Steelers 41-20 BlueRevs
Wild Knights 36=34 Tokyo Sungoliath
Verblitz 33, Yokohama Eagles 27

Sunday March 29

BlackRams Tokyo 33-7 Dynaboars
Mie Heat 43-17 D-Rocks 17