Springbok stars set to shape pivotal weekend in JRLO
PREVIEW: From Kwagga Smith’s breakdown mastery to Manie Libbok’s playmaking and Jasper Wiese’s power, South African influence once again shapes a pivotal weekend in Japan Rugby League One.
After conceding 46 unanswered points on the opening weekend, the last opponent Brave Lupus needed was Smith’s Blue Revs.
The SA loose forward’s influence looms large, especially given the Blue Revs’ dominance over Brave Lupus last season, when they racked up 90 points across two victories.
Smith’s side arrive full of confidence after a come-from-behind away win over Eagles – their first there since 2018. Their backline is firing, with South African midfielder Sylvian Mahusa grabbing a brace alongside winger Malo Tuitama and new signing Semi Radradra.
While Smith’s try tally dipped last season, his breakdown work and rugby IQ remain central to the Blue Revs’ attacking flow. His duel at the ruck could prove decisive, particularly with Brave Lupus missing injured All Black Shannon Frizell.
Elsewhere, Springbok muscle is also on show as Wiese provides impact off the bench for D-Rocks against the Wild Knights, while the Eagles will be without another Bok, Faf de Klerk, after his early exit last weekend.
Further down the card, Springbok lock Franco Mostert anchors Heat’s back row alongside Pablo Matera, while Libbok headlines Division Two action with Liners in a clash against Green Rockets Tokatsu.
The Blue Revs, who were the talk of the competition during their run to fourth in the regular season, will be approaching Sunday’s clash with confidence, after coming from behind last weekend to record their first away win against the Eagles since 2018.
Significantly, their devastating backline picked up from where it had left off with winger Malo Tuitama, who headed the try rankings two seasons ago, scoring twice, alongside recruit Semi Radradra, and Mahusa, who also bagged a double.
When the draw for the new season was made, D-Rocks coach Graham Rowntree would have been excused for anticipating a major challenge containing Wild Knights in week two, and while that hasn’t changed, the Englishman’s charges will at least head to Kumagaya with a spring in their step following the resilience they showed to beat Dynaboars.
In a further boost, Israel Folau will step out after missing last week, while Wiese offers plenty of power off the bench, as D-Rocks bid to become just the second team to beat the Wild Knights at Kumagaya since the League One era began.
Two sides that came up short last time meet on Sunday in the always eagerly anticipated Kanagawa derby.
Both the Dynaboars, who lost in the last minute, and the Eagles, who were overrun in the second half, will be looking to rectify the mistakes under pressure that led to their downfall.
Former Italy coach Kieran Crowley achieved a famous victory over the Wallabies during his time as Azzurri boss but he meets the Australian coach from that game, Dave Rennie, in very different circumstances, with both Heat and Steelers looking to bounce back after disappointing first-round defeats.
