1
Dual-code international Israel Folau was a try-scorer on his return from a nine-month absence in Japan Rugby League One on Saturday.
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The former Wallaby, who scored 37 tries in 73 tests for Australia, and a Super Rugby record 60 tries from 96 appearances for the NSW Waratahs, took just four minutes to get back into try-scoring mode in Miyagi as his club, Urayasu D-Rocks, beat NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu 31-28 in the Division Two decider.
It was the 34-year-old’s first appearance since July 14 when he represented Tonga during a 27-21 win over Australia A in a non-cap international in Nuku’alofa.
Today’s three-point win for D-Rocks avenged their loss to the Green Rockets by an identical scoreline on the opening weekend of the competition.
That had been the first regular season defeat suffered by D-Rocks, a new club that was created last year, and has now won back-to-back Division Two titles under the helm of the ex-Lions (South Africa) and Gloucester coach Johan Ackerman.
Japan Rugby League One
Group Standings
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Saitama Wild Knights
11
11
0
0
51
2
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
11
10
1
0
46
3
Tokyo Sungoliath
11
8
3
0
39
4
Kobelco Kobe Steelers
11
7
4
0
34
5
Yokohama Canon Eagles
11
7
4
0
33
6
Kubota Spears
11
5
6
0
26
7
Shizuoka BlueRevs
11
5
6
0
24
8
Toyota Verblitz
11
5
6
0
24
9
Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars
11
5
6
0
22
10
BlackRams Tokyo
11
2
9
0
13
11
Mie Honda Heat
11
1
10
0
5
12
Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
11
0
11
0
2
Conference B
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Saitama Wild Knights
11
11
0
0
51
2
Yokohama Canon Eagles
11
7
4
0
33
3
Toyota Verblitz
11
5
6
0
24
4
Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars
11
5
6
0
22
5
BlackRams Tokyo
11
2
9
0
13
6
Hanazono Kintetsu Liners
11
0
11
0
2
Conference A
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
11
10
1
0
46
2
Tokyo Sungoliath
11
8
3
0
39
3
Kobelco Kobe Steelers
11
7
4
0
34
4
Kubota Spears
11
5
6
0
26
5
Shizuoka BlueRevs
11
5
6
0
24
6
Mie Honda Heat
11
1
10
0
5
Green Rockets, who were relegated from Division One last year during a tumultuous campaign which saw former Wallaby coach Michael Cheika dismissed as Director of Rugby, had lost just once before the final, after being taken over this season by the Six Nations-winning former Wales boss Wayne Pivac.
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Folau’s try gave D-Rocks the perfect start, and while they fell behind by 10 midway through the first half, had recovered to lead 22-18 at halftime.
Both sides scored three tries, and although held try-less in the second half, the steady boot of flyhalf Hikaru Tamura, who kicked 16 points, including the match-winning penalty goal, saw Urayasu home.
Former Maori All Black hooker Ash Dixon was a try-scorer for the Green Rockets, who also featured 72-cap Wallaby and ex-London Irish scrumhalf Nick Phipps.
Folau’s 50-minute return almost overshadowed the result after the former Brisbane and Melbourne rugby league star had taken Japan Rugby League One by storm when he arrived two seasons ago, scoring 10 tries in 12 matches for the then NTT Shining Arcs.
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Despite his impact, the star fullback could not prevent his side, who were coached by embattled Crusaders boss Rob Penney, from relegation.
Injury has blighted the code-hopper’s career since, wrecking his chances of appearing in France, after suffering a knee injury on his return to the international scene.
Rather than being a launch pad for a new career with his native country – having met the World Rugby ancestry requirements to switch from Australia – Folau’s debut for the Ikale Tahi has proved his only appearance to date, with the injury scratching him from the remainder of Tonga’s programme including the Rugby World Cup.
With Tonga still to appoint a new coach to succeed former Wallaby backrower Toutai Kefu, it is not known if Folau will make himself available for the new Pacific Nations Cup this year.
Comments on RugbyPass
SACK HIM !
1 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
75 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
75 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
75 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
75 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
75 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
75 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
75 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
75 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to commentsThe Irish are tired and the Boks are old. The test series won't confirm who is best in the world, it will confirm which team needs to pursue the task of rebuilding with the most urgency.
75 Go to commentsGrant, the first time I have seen an article written by you. Maybe I have missed your previous stuff. These days all professional players effectively play a common season so all top players are equally tired, or rested. That is the job of the coaching ticket to build squad depth and juggle resources so players are ‘ fresh’ when the big games come. Possibly Ireland are less inclined to juggle squad compared to Rassie, who is prepared to take the risk to rest players as well as build depth throughout the year so come WC he has a full squad, experienced and rested enough to win 7 games. After all, to win WC you need to get through the tournament and then win the final big 3 games. Ireland should try and build a bit so come final 3 they are ready. So far only played final 1(QF). I am so looking forward to the Irish tour. Hopefully Rassie has enough time to align his guys, as he draws them from across the globe, and not from 2 sides locally( eg Leinster, Munster). No excuses, going to be exciting.
75 Go to commentsIn football, teams get fined and sometimes docked points for deliberately fielding weakened teams yet Leinster can pretty much do as they please with no comebacks. Could it be because Ireland run the URC? Could it be that Ireland run the ERC? Whichever it is, it stinks!!
6 Go to commentsIreland are only the People’s Champions in Irish eyes. The rest of the world do not care for them very much because of attitudes of people like Gordon, Ferris, Best, Jackman…I could go on!!
75 Go to commentsNot sure how Karl Dickson can ever ref a Quins game, he played for the club for 8 years as understudy to Care and is still close friends with half the team
3 Go to comments