Michael Hooper's rugby return turns into nightmare

Former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper has endured a rough return to rugby union, being yellow carded for a professional foul as Verblitz were hammered 63-21 by Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers in Japan Rugby League One.

Playing his first match for 18 months after ending his retirement in favour of a second stint in Japan, the 33-year-old was almost reduced to the role of a spectator as his former Wallaby bosses’ charges ran riot on Saturday.

Kobe piled on six first-half tries, all of which were converted by ex-Chiefs flyhalf Bryn Gatland, as they romped to a 42-7 halftime lead.

While Verblitz showed more resistance after the break, the demolition heaped further pressure on their ex-All Black coaches, Steve Hansen and Ian Foster, with the loss the team’s seventh of the season, dropping them into the relegation zone of the 12-team league.

The bonus-point win consolidated Kobe’s position in the top six on a good day for the league’s former Wallaby coaches, with the Robbie Deans-coached Saitama Wild Knights extending their lead at the top-of-the-table after a 39-10 win over Sagamihara Dynaboars.

Brave Lupus Tokyo remain second but dropped a further point behind the leaders after being denied a bonus point from a nail-biting 45-44 win over Black Rams Tokyo.

The defending champions appeared set for a comfortable afternoon after jumping to a 19-3 lead but the Black Rams, who were inspired by All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara, refused to concede, finally finishing within a missed conversion of the upset of the season.

While the result was not an upset, the margin of Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bays’ 62-14 win over Shizuoka Blue Revs in the battle between the third and fourth ranked sides was eye-catching.

This was especially so of the game’s last 10 minutes, where Shizuoka appeared to throw in the towel as the Spears scored four tries.

The late scoring burst meant the Blue Revs conceded nine tries, which was many as they had conceded in their opening three matches of the season.

Shizuoka remain fourth, although they are now seven points behind the Spears, who have closed to within two of Brave Lupus.

In Division Two, former Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia scored twice while All Black backrower Akira Ioane claimed his first try in Japan, as Hanazono Liners crushed Kyushu Voltex 39-12 to move up to third on the point’s table.