Deans still BIG in Japan
It was the battle between the master and two of his apprentices, but Robbie Deans showed he was still the boss – as the Wild Knights qualified for the Top League Final in Japan.
The Wild Knights, spearheaded by a hat-trick from retiring Japanese World Cup hero Kenki Fukuoka, blew Verblitz away in the Final 20 minutes of their semifinal in Osaka, scoring 28 unanswered points to romp to a 48-21 win.
In doing so, Deans reminded two of his former lieutenants who was still boss, as defeat ended the Japanese campaigns of Wallaby skipper Michael Hooper and former All Black captain Kieran Read.
The former Wallaby coach played an influential role in the development of both players’ careers, introducing Read to the Crusaders as a 21-year-old in 2007, and Hooper to the Wallabies five years later.
The hugely-popular Read brought the curtain down on his glittering 16-year professional career after the game, having featured in 127 Tests for the All Blacks and 156 games for the Crusaders.
The Wild Knights will face Sungoliath in the Final after the Sungoliath, led by 21 points from the boot of All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett, disposed of the Kubota Spears 26-9 in the second semifinal on Sunday.
Former Wallaby Sean McMahon and Queensland lock Harry Hockings were both impressive in a Suntory pack that dominated its much-vaunted Spears counterparts.
Sunday’s decider at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium is a replay of the 2018 Final which Suntory won 12-8.
It is Sungoliath’s fifth appearance in the Final during Deans’ eight-year association, as he bids to add a fourth Top League to the five Super Rugby titles, he achieved from nine seasons running the Crusaders.
The Wild Knights made a blistering start on Saturday, with Fukuoka finishing off an 80-metre move from the kick-off to open the scoring, but Verblitz immediately rallied.
With punishing former NSW Waratahs lock Jed Holloway prominent, Verblitz stunned their opponents with tries in the fourth, ninth and 16th minutes to briefly rattle the Wild Knights.
Wild Knights closed to one point at half-time, trailing 18-17, before turning on the power in the Final quarter, with Australian-born centre Dylan Riley one of the try-scorers as the Wild Knights overran their rivals.
Fukuoka, who is retiring to become a doctor, stole the show, scoring two of the last three tries to complete his second hat-trick of the season.
He will now play for a maiden Top League title in the Final 80 minutes of his career.
#日本選手権 🏆 兼 #トップリーグ2021 🟠🟢⚫️プレーオフトーナメント
準決勝結果❗サントリーサンゴリアス 26 – 9 クボタスピアーズ
サントリーサンゴリアスが決勝戦進出を決めました👏#世界一楽しもう pic.twitter.com/TDlSVLCJxr
— 日本ラグビーフットボール協会 (@JRFUMedia) May 16, 2021
