Watch: Cheslin Kolbe magic not enough as Wild Knights stay unbeaten

Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe struck late in a Japan Rugby League One thriller on Saturday, but that effort wasn’t enough to inspire a Tokyo Sungoliath comeback as they fell 31-30 to the still-unbeaten Saitama Wild Knights.

Kubota Spears were the only other side with a perfect 5-0 record going into round six, but they fell 24-20 to Richie Mo’unga’s Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in a thriller. With this win over Tokyo, the Wild Knights have reclaimed top spot on the standings.

Koko Takeyama produced a stunning somersault finish in the corner to score the opening try of the match in the fourth minute, with the flyer needing to do something special to beat covering defenders wearing yellow and black.

It was a dream start to this heavyweight bout for Saitama, with Takuya Yamasawa knocking over the conversion attempt from the right sideline. But Tokyo were the better side for most of the first half, with Kolbe leading the way as the team’s goal-kicker.

Kobe nailed two penalty attempts to reduce the deficit to just one point, before Kosuke Horikoshi crashed over from a maul just before the break. Tokyo had taken some control but the match took yet another turn in the final play of the half.

The Springboks winger was shown a yellow card for an intentional knockdown and a penalty try was awarded. Saitama took a three-point lead into the sheds but Tokyo regained their advantage immediately to start the second term.

Taiga Ozaki touched down for the go-ahead points one minute into the second half, but Saitama hit back through Esei Haangana shortly after. Springboks centre Damian de Allende had the home side in a strong position with a try three in the 49^th minute.

It was 28-16 for 20 minutes before Yamasawa eventually broke the point-scoring deadlock with a successful penalty attempt. With about 10 minutes left, Tokyo began their points blitz which nearly ended with a famous comeback victory.

Isaiah Punivai fended off three defenders during a stunning run to the house, turning a play around midfield into something huge. There were still eight points between the sides with time almost up, but Kolbe gave Tokyo fans a reason to believe.

Replacement Kenta Fukuda dinked the ball over Saitama’s defensive wall, with Kolbe chasing hard. De Allende attempted to reel in possession but the cruel bounce of the rugby ball went in favour of Kolbe, who pinned the ears before diving under the sticks.

Former Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete was one of the Wild Knights players coming across in cover but Kolbe had too much pace. Kolbe converted his own try, making it anyone’s game with two minutes left.

But the Wild Knights took control of possession and had the ball deep in Sungoliath’s half. They set up for an attacking maul, chewing the clock before eventually kicking the ball into the stands, improving their season record to 6-0.