Watch: Kiwis star in narrow top of the table Japan League One match

The Japan League One continues to showcase itself as one of the more exciting leagues around the world, packed with international talent in almost every roster.

Round five was no different, throwing up a blockbuster between two of the top teams in the league, Toshiba Brave Lupus and the Shizuoka Blue Revs.

Overseas All Blacks Shannon Frizell and Richie Mo’unga both crossed the line in the match for the Brave Lupus in the narrow defeat. With Frizell also being yellow carded in the 46th minute, shifting the momentum back towards the Blue Revs.

Mounga opened the scoring for the Brave Lupus, scoring a try in the third minute after his left foot step put him through a gap close to the line. 

Frizell’s try in the 33rd minute showcased his immense strength and power close to the line, scoring on a pick-and-go carry five meters from the line. Something we have seen Frizell do multiple times in a Black jersey, or in his 68 Highlanders appearances.

The try brought the deficit down to three points at halftime, putting the Brave Lupus within touching distance of the red-hot Blue Revs side.

The second half was another strong showing from the Kiwis, but this time around, it was the Blue Revs outside backs in former All Black and current Tonga utility back Charles Piatau, who found himself scoring an unusual try. Piatau forced the ball over the line before the opposition halfback was able to release his box kick. 

There was a TMO review, but the try was given as the ball was still on the ground as Piatau put downward pressure on the ball.

In form Kiwi winger Valynce Te Whare has had an impressive return to the 15-man code, after a largely underwhelming NRL career with the Dolphins, where he wasn’t able to get consistent game time. Te Whare was on the end of another smart play, finding himself with an open runway to the try line in the corner.

Te Whare has impressed in his first season at the Blue Revs in Japan, scoring on his debut against the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in December.

A late flurry of tries from the Brave Lupus wasn’t enough to close the gap, with the Blue Revs closing out the game to move up to third on the Japan League One table, one place behind the Brave Lupus, two behind the unbeaten Saitama Wild Knights at the top of the table.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

44 - 33

67 - 22

30 - 38

39 - 20

33 - 53

0 - 46

18 - 13

31 - 3

49 - 28

28 - 45

0

Wins

4

5

Streak

1

20

Tries Scored

20

-103

Points Difference

25

0/5

First Try

3/5

1/5

First Points

2/5

0/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

The Toshiba Brave Lupus take on the Mie Honda Heat next weekend, while the Shizuoka Blue Revs host Suntory Sungoliath next Saturday.