Watch: Two-time World Cup winner scores as Wild Knights stay unbeaten

Japan Rugby League One juggernauts Saitama Wild Knights ran in seven tries during a 50-21 win over the Yokohama Canon Eagles on Saturday, with two-time Rugby World Cup winner Damian de Allende contributing to the scoring blitz.

De Allende lined up at inside centre, making his second appearance for the Wild Knights during the 2025/26 JRLO season. The South African played the full 80 the week before in a round four 37-22 triumph over the Shizuoka BlueRevs at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.

The Wild Knights are one of two unbeaten sides in the first division, with former Wallabies fly-half Bernard Foley leading the Kubota Spears to a perfect start. Foley is the leading point-scorer in the competition with 80, contributing to another important win last weekend.

Australian-born Japan international Jack Cornselson was first to strike for the Wild Knights, with the second-rower breaking a couple of tackle attempts during a 15-metre run to the try line. Koki Takeyama added the extras from near the left sideline.

Atsushi Sakate added to Saitama’s advantage with an effort in the 14^th minute, before Cornelsen completed a double midway through the half. The scoreboard read 21-0 before Yokohama got off the mark through Yuto Mori in the 25^th minute.

The Cannon Eagles clawed their way back into the contest, making it a one score game after Mori converted a try scored by Shunta Nakamura. Takato Okabe was shown a yellow card in the 33^rd minute which saw Yokohama go down to 14 men.

Takuya Yamasawa had the last point-scoring say of the half with an effort in the final play, sending the ball through the uprights with a 42^nd-minute penalty attempt. Saitama took a 10-point lead into the sheds during the break.

Saitama’s Koki Takeyama and Yokohama’s Asahi Doei effectively traded tries during the second term, before Takeyama became the second Wild Knights player to cross for a double. Yamasawa made it a 15-point ballgame with the successful conversion attempt.

With the Wild Knights in control, de Allende all but secured the victory with the team’s sixth try of the match. De Allende got the ball in space about 15 metres out from the line, immediately running into a gap in the Canon Eagles’ defensive line.

The Springbok skipped through a tackle attempt before strolling in for the score, but there was no real celebration from the centre afterwards. De Allende gave one high five before running back to halfway, as the Wild Knights looked to close out the match.

Kenji Sato touched down for the only other try in the match, with Yamasawa again accurate off the kicking to extend Saitama’s advantage to 29. Saitama are second on the standings after five rounds, with Kubota boasting a better points difference.

The Wild Knights will look to make it six wins from as many matches when they face a star-studded Tokyo Sungoliath outfit at Kumagaya Rugby Stadium this weekend. Cheslin Kolbe and Sam Cane are among the players in Tokyo’s squad this season.