Former Wallaby coach Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers have crashed out of the playoff picture in Japan Rugby League One after losing 39-29 against Bernard Foley’s Kubota Spears Tokyo Bay.
Kobe, who had been kept in the Sunday’s game by 19 points off the boot of ex-Chiefs flyhalf Bryn Gatland, were overpowered in the final 20 minutes as the outgoing champions finished with a decisive five-try-to-two victory.
The result locked in the semi-finalists two weeks before the end of the regular season, after Yokohama Eagles beat Sagamihara Dynaboars 43-19 on Saturday, a result which eliminated Verblitz, Shizuoka Blue Revs and Kubota themselves.
Dave Rennie won’t be in the 2023-24 League One playoffs after going down to Bernard Foley’s Kubota. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)
Wallaby winger Marika Koroibete was a double try-scorer for the third week running on Saturday as Saitama Wild Knights confirmed top spot in the regular season.
The Robbie Deans-coached side overwhelmed the Steve Hansen-trained Verblitz 40-7, continuing the ex-Wallaby coaches’ dominance over the former All Black mentor.
Hansen has not beaten Deans in seven attempts since joining Verblitz after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with an average losing margin of 20 points in those games.
Despite fielding the star international quartet of the All Black halves Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith, Springbok backrower Pieter Steph du Toit, as well as Brave Blossoms backrower and captain Kazuki Himeno, they were outclassed by the Wild Knights, for whom Koroibete and Springbok second rower Lood de Jager starred.
Both men scored two first half tries as the Wild Knights motored to a 26-7 halftime lead, with the defeat even more galling for the home side due to managing just one try and being held scoreless for the final 50 minutes.
Tokyo Sungoliath needed a penalty goal four minutes from time by flyhalf Mikiya Takamoto to salvage a 31-31 draw with Shizuoka Blue Revs on Friday night, but it proved enough to confirm a semi-final place after Kobe’s subsequent defeat.
An understrength Brave Lupus Tokyo narrowly beat Mie Honda 8-7 on Sunday, while Quade Cooper’s Hanazono Liners recorded their first win of the season in upsetting Black Rams Tokyo 34-23 in Division One’s other matches.
Former Wallaby second-rower Rory Arnold gained reward for sticking with his Japanese club after they were forced to drop out of the league last year, as Hino Red Dolphins lifted the Division Three title with a 59-41 win over a Kurita Water Gush Akishima side coached by another ex-Wallaby, backrower Wycliff Palu.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Imagine iceman deciding to be a coach one day and taking on wallabies job. Would piss off so many people :laughing:
Guess
Roar Rookie
How do you know they'll be included? Hope not
Guess
Roar Rookie
Don't get people wanting to watch that made up comp from a country which is causing problems for domestic rugby..
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
I'm fine with that, makes the occasional win all the more exciting. I also think you're overestimating where Los Pumas were at when they started. Since they were floated in the old Tri Nations to date, they've only won 9 matches, and about half of those were in the last 4 years. Still exciting to see them play. This is how teams enter the so called Tier 1.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Cec
Roar Rookie
Oh okay it get what you’re saying. I think they would want a provincial team not a current club so to speak. Send two provinces over to keep the draw even numbered (no byes) and bolster their squad (better chance to win). PS – not too many Boks or ABs on those two teams also
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Argentina was way ahead of Japan and Italy were destroyed for endless years.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Of course and so expect Japan asap in both RC and Super Rugby. One team won't be enough in SR: it will have to be the entire league. It could in fact be what saves rugby in Australia and New Zealand just because of the money, unless RA try a lazy cash grab like the Sunwolves. Although even with that a better domestic set-up would be necessary.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
Both Italy and Argentina were opportunities for comfortable wins and to rest a few key players in their respective comps, until they weren’t. I’d welcome Japan doing it tough for some time before scratching out the odd win. I think regular top tier competition would boost participation too.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Money is king, KingPM
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Despite some good results Japan will need to improve a lot to be included in the RC. Playing numbers would need to double but they're actually going in reverse.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
He’s coach and ice supplier. The dressing room is chilly.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Probably none of them :laughing:
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Rugby P TV has been showing 2 games per week. Not watched them so can't speak for viewing/commentary quality.
Piccolino
Roar Rookie
Not that I have seen? I just watch highlights on Youtube so you don't get a full feel for the game. Commentators speak Japanese but if mostly watching for AU and NZ players, you can recognise them by sight anyway.
Piccolino
Roar Rookie
I haven't watched this round but Savea looked unstoppable for the Steelers a couple weeks back against the Verblitz! Great to watch. As for the level of performance, I'd say many teams are exciting in attack but frustrating in defense. So it makes for fast paced, high scoring affairs. I'm sure it will tighten up in the coming years though as teams get their defensive structures in place.
Hazel Nutt
Roar Rookie
I wish Stan still showed League One matches. Loved watching the Aussies abroad and getting a feel for where Japanese rugby was at. At a minimum they'll be included in the Rugby Championship in the near future, so I think it's worth getting to know who their top tier players are.
Ballymore Brumby
Roar Pro
Is there any streaming service showing the Japanese League One here in Australia?
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Does anyone have an opinion on which matches of this round in Japan are worth the watch? I am not clear on the level of performance but am enjoying the Super Rugby generally (but not specifically: conspicuous exceptions can be listed...).
Jaarp
Roar Rookie
"Former Wallaby coach Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers have crashed out of the playoff picture in Japan Rugby League One after losing 39-29 against Bernard Foley’s Kubota Spears Tokyo Bay." Is the " Iceman" coach of the Kubota spears??