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Robbie Deans’ Wild Knights thump understrength Chiefs in Japan
They may be one of the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific title favourites but an understrength Chiefs side has been handed a pre-season wake-up call against Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan.
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Without the likes of captain Luke Jacobson, playmaker Damian McKenzie and try-scoring machine Shaun Stevenson, the Chiefs struggled to keep up as they were handed a heavy 38-14 defeat in front of 7,561 supporters at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium on Sunday.
It was always going to be a tough start to the year for the Hamilton-based franchise as they came up against the undefeated Japan Rugby League One juggernaut. The Wild Knights named a star-studded side, too, which included two two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springboks.
South African duo Lood de Jager and Damian de Allende ran out in the No. 5 and 12 jerseys respectively, while the ever-dangerous Wallaby Marika Koroibete lined up on the left wing. Former Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier was also among the Japanese clubs’ ranks.
Chiefs flyhalf Josh Ioane had the first opportunity to strike, but a wayward penalty attempt in the third minute kept the scores locked at nil-all. That proved to be a costly mistake.
Atsushi Sakate opened the scoring with a try in the 15th minute, and Taiki Koyama also crossed for a five-pointer midway through the first term to give the hosts a comfortable 14-nil lead at the break.
Already with their backs up against the ropes, the Chiefs needed to score first after the interval– but they couldn’t. Flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda extended the Wild Knights’ lead to 17.
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Ioane breathed some new life into the Chiefs, if only for a short period, with a converted try of his own in the 52nd minute, but it was practically all the Wild Knights from there.
Wallaby Koroibete cut in-between two defenders to score – much to the delight of the home fans – and other scores to Mark Abbott and Kyohei Yamasawa completed the 24-point rout in favour of coach Robbie Deans’ men.
“I didn’t think that I’d face the Chiefs haka after being involved with the Chiefs, but it’s awesome to see at the start of the game,” former Chiefs flanker Lachlan Boshier said after starring for the Wild Knights, as reported by Kyodo News.
“It was good to have a tough game today. We’ve got a few more tough games coming up, so it was good to get the bodies ready.”
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The Chiefs will look to bounce back against Kubota Spears in Japan on Saturday evening (6:30 pm NZT). This squad includes the likes of former All Black Dane Coles, ex-Wallaby Bernard Foley and Welsh outside back Liam Williams.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments