It's game over for Richie Mo'unga in Japan

A herculean effort by TJ Perenara was not enough to keep the title dream of BlackRams Tokyo alive in Japan Rugby League One, as the All Black’s side fell to a dramatic 40-35 defeat against Tokyo Sungoliath in yesterday’s opening quarter-final.

After a hot start, which saw Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe find himself on the end of a superb wide ball from ex-Chiefs flyhalf Kaleb Trask to score in just the third minute, and Sungoliath lead 17-0 after 15 minutes, the BlackRams skipper inspired a remarkable recovery.

Showing a sense of dash to match his peroxided hair, the feisty scrumhalf was a one-man army at times, leading a resurgence that saw his side hit the front 32-30 with nine minutes remaining.

The lead changed hands twice during a pulsating finish, with Sungoliath prop Yukio Morikawa breaking BlackRams’ hearts when he supported an attack by replacement scrumhalf Kenta Fukuda to score in the fourth minute of referee’s time.

The win has set up a semi-final against Kobelco Kobe Steelers, which will bring Sungoliath and former All Black skipper Sam Cane together with his coach from their days at the Chiefs, Kobe’s two-time Super Rugby-winning boss, Dave Rennie.

One of the incoming All Black coaches’ prospective flyhalves for later this year, Richie Mo’unga, had his League One duties ended after Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo bowed out following today’s 26-3 loss to Kubota Spears.

Fielding just seven of their starting XV from last year’s championship game, the two-time defending champions held Kubota to a 7-3 halftime advantage, but a try straight after the resumption by Brave Blossoms winger Halatoa Vailea, followed soon after by a second from backrow and skipper Faulua Makisi quickly put the result beyond doubt.

South African-born centre Rikus Pretorius administered the last rites when he crossed a minute before time.
Having seen off their conquerors from last year’s final, the Spears’ next assignment is a replay of last season’s semi against Saitama Wild Knights.

Springboks Lukhanyo Am and Jasper Wiese were both try-scorers as their sides completed wins by margins that should see off their Division Two challengers in the Replacement Battles.

Am ran in one of his side’s five tries as Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars crushed Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi 36-14, with All Black scrumhalf Brad Weber also a try-scorer for the victors.

Urayasu D-Rocks buried Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks late on, with the big South African backrower scoring twice in a 37-15 win.

The promotion/relegation series between Divisions Two and Three remain in the balance.

Former Tonga coach Toutai Kefu’s Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves were held scoreless in the second half by SAYAMA SECOM RUGGUTS and will take just a two-point lead to Tokyo for the return game after their 19-17 win.

Hino Red Dolphins needed a late penalty goal to beat Division Three champions SkyActivs Hiroshima, 20-17.