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Four-time Top League champions Toshiba showed their championship mettle Sunday, overcoming a 21-7 halftime deficit to stun Suntory in the Microsoft Cup semi finals.
The defending champs ran in four second half tries to seal a memorable 35-24 victory over their Fuchi rivals, who only four weeks ago thrashed them 59-22 in the lead-up to the Microsoft Cup.
Missing from Toshiba’s line-up that day were star first five David Hill and his former Bristol teammate Neil Brew.
The Toshiba center made his presence immediately felt with a series of strong carries before a midfield break and some nice interplay from the backs saw Toshiba fullback Goshi Tachikawa cross over untouched in the corner.
The ball handling and change of angle were of such high quality that it appeared an upset was in the making long before the second half, but a ten minute stretch before halftime saw Suntory run in three quick tries to open up a fourteen point lead.
Suntory halfback George Gregan showed no shortage of passion as the former Wallaby captain pushed big Suntory hooker Takashi Yamaoka over the line for a try, leaping on top of the big man and screaming as if it were a World Cup final.
Moments later, Suntory winger Yasunori Nagatomo capped off a sensational solo run from 22 metres out and it appeared Suntory were picking up where they left off four weeks ago, but Toshiba must surely now be considered the Crusaders of Japanese rugby.
During the halftime break, Toshiba coach Tomohiro Segawa had his men focus on scoring first, but the manner in which they scored was so remarkable that it singlehandedly spurred their entire comeback.
Two minutes into the second half, Toshiba lock-forward Yuta Mochizuki found himself in space 66 metres out from the Suntory line. With no-one to pass to, the big lock set off down the paddock and kept on running … the type of run lock-forwards dream about.
The cover defence caught up with him as the chalk was in sight, but he crashed over the line for a huge video review that turned the game on its head.
Suddenly, the bounce of the ball started going Toshiba’s way, as it so often does during a comeback; and after a stock New Zealand first five eighths try under the posts from David Hill, Goshi Tachikawa added to the madness with some crazy soccer skills.
Toshiba have long been known for their strong mauling skills, so it was fitting that the game winning try came from a rolling maul; Stephen Bates emerging from the bottom of a mass pile-up with the type of satisfaction and comradery only a forward can derive from such a well executed push and drive.
Bates was at the heart of everything Toshiba did, as he has been since signing with the club.
Time and time again, he threw himself into rucks and mauls as Toshiba dominated the forward exchanges in the second half, rekindling memories of why they’ve been such a dominant side over the past five years.
Toshiba wilted with the Bates try, charging the missed conversion by Hill far too early, resulting in a successful reattempt by the Toshiba pivot.
That left them eleven points adrift instead of a more manageable nine, and despite winning a succession of penalties at the end which saw a Toshiba player sinbinned, the Brave Lupus defence held firm as they closed out the type of victory that defines their club.
In the other semi-final, a Tony Brown-less Sanyo managed to hold off a late surge from Toyota to reach the Microsoft Cup for the third year in a row.
Toyota scored in the 76th minute to get within four points of the competition leaders, but Sanyo managed to negotiate the tricky three minute period and hold on for a 25-21 victory.
The stage is set now for a rematch of last year’s Microsoft Cup, which Toshiba won 17-6.
Toshiba must now surely be hot favourites to retain their rugby crown, while Sanyo will be hoping that the third time is indeed the charm.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.