Watch: Anton Lienert-Brown plays part in two tries on debut in Japan

Life in Japan for All Blacks midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown has started positively on a personal note, scoring a try on club debut for the Kobelco Kobe Steelers against the Kubota Spears.

Lienert-Brown and All Blacks vice-captain Ardie Savea were up against former Chiefs and All Black fullback Shaun Stevenson, who is playing his second season in Japan at the Kubota Spears.

Stevenson’s side came out on top this time around, beating Lienert-Brown and Savea’s Kobe Steelers side, 33-28, at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe (Hygo).

Savea was on the bench for his first game of the season in Japan, before he was yellow carded by the referee in the 60th minute for dissent.

The 88-Test midfielder crossed the chalk in the 32nd minute, on the back of a slick backline move that sent Lienert-Brown through a gap, scoring his first try of the season.

Former All Black lock Brodie Retallick was involved in the try also, carrying the ball forward a couple of times in the buildup, before coming in to calm down the after-try scuffle that included Stevenson and some other Kobe Steelers players.

Lienert-Brown then went from try-scorer to provider, flinging a beautiful cut-out left-t0-right long ball to his winger, Kazuma Ueda, who was in open space down the right hand touchline.

Stevenson, who didn’t cross the line himself, played an integral part of the Spears’ go-ahead try in the 68th minute, while Savea was off the field.

The 1-Test former All Black caught the ball just inside his own half, before starting his team’s counter attack down the left-hand touchline.

Stevenson stepped off his right foot to beat one defender, before quickly shifting the ball on Haruto Kida, who ended up exchanging another pass with Stevenson which left the winger with only a reserve lock to beat in the corner.

After one round, the Kubota Spears sit 5th, while the Kobelco Kobe Steelers are 8th out of the 12 teams.

Retallick, Lienert-Brown, and Savea will travel away to take on Pablo Matera’s Mie Honda Heat next weekend in Japan League One round two action, at the Suzuka Sports Garden Rugby Ground.

For Stevenson and his Kubota Spears side, they will host TJ Perenara’s Ricoh Black Rams on Saturday next weekend.