Folau scores stunner in slim loss to champs, Foley attempt leaves Eddie’s Suntory in hassle, Rennie’s Kobe struggling
Israel Folau has scored the sixteenth attempt of his profession in Japan Rugby League One however the former Wallabies star couldn’t forestall Urayasu D-Rocks falling to a fourth straight defeat, regardless of a much-improved displaying in opposition to Courageous Lupus Tokyo.
After conceding 19 tries of their opening three matches, D-Rocks restricted the champions to simply three throughout their 22-14 defeat on Sunday, and even harboured ideas of an unlikely victory when Folau broke via to attain from 60 metres out, dragging his aspect to inside 5 factors with 5 minutes left.
It wasn’t to be, however the resilience proven by the competitors’s bottom-ranked aspect ought to give D-Rocks coach Greig Laidlaw a lot to work with all through the remainder of the competitors.
So too ought to the constant presence of Folau, with the 35-year-old’s workload being fastidiously managed by Laidlaw, who often brings his star man off the bench.
Harm-plagued in latest seasons, the controversial star has appeared in all 4 matches performed by Urayasu this time period after having managed simply 22 throughout the earlier three years.
Spherical 4 additionally noticed Joseph Manu’s Verblitz break via for his or her first win of the season, coming from behind with two tries within the ultimate 10 minutes to beat Black Rams Tokyo 32-18.
Yokohama Eagles gained a high-scoring match in opposition to Shizuoka Blue Revs, with Springbok centre Jesse Kriel scoring twice because the Blue Revs suffered their first defeat, happening 53-35.
Saitama Wild Knights are top-of-the-table after a 48-24 win over Mie Warmth, which featured hat-tricks by Wild Knights winger Koki Takeyama and his Warmth counterpart Lemeki Lomano Lava, in addition to a purple card for ex Los Pumas captain Pablo Matera.
Tokyo Sungoliath flyhalf Mikiya Takamoto missed a last-minute conversion in his aspect’s 26-26 draw with Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay, which leaves Eddie Jones’s former membership sitting in one of many relegation collection positions.
Bernard Foley was a try-scorer for the Spears.
Sunday additionally proved a great day for the Springbok wingers with Cheslin Kolbe scoring for Sungoliath, whereas Take a look at teammate Kurt-lee Arendse crossed twice in Sagamihara Dynaboars’ 34-26 upset of Kobe Steelers, which condemned former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s males to their third defeat of the season.
In Division Two, Quade Cooper’s Hanazono Liners are winless after three matches following Saturday’s 36-17 defeat by the league-leading Pink Hurricanes Osaka.
AAP
