Kobe, Toshiba win in front of Emperor
TOKYO (Feb. 23) – Kobe Kobelco Steelers and Toshiba Brave Lupus advanced to the last four of the Japan National Championship on Sunday on a day the Emperor and Empress of Japan graced the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Kobe got past Yamaha Jubilo 28-26 and Toshiba edged Toyota Verblitz 24-21 in two classic games that were both decided right at the death.
“It was the first time the Emperor has watched corporate rugby so we wanted to make sure we put on a good show,” said Yamaha coach Katsuyuki Kiyomiya.
And the four teams did just that, mixing power and pace that had the crowd for both games enthralled and on their feet, particularly during the closing moments.
Former All Black David Hill clinched the first game – an incredibly close affair in which the biggest lead either side had was just five points – when he sent over a smartly taken drop goal in the 78th minute.
Toyota’s points came from tries by Hayden Hopgood and Taumopeau Silivenusi and three penalties and a conversion by Takaya Monji, while Hiroki Yuhara and Shuhei Oshima crossed the whitewash for Toshiba with Takahiro Ogawa knocking over three penalties and a conversion.
But it was Toshiba who finished stronger and in the closing minutes their pack held onto the ball and worked their way infield to set up Hill for the decisive kick.
The second game was equally tense and just as physical.
Yamaha scored the only try of the first half through Koki Yamamoto as they led 10-9 at halftime.
Yuta Imamura closed the gap with a five-pointer 12 minutes into the second half before a try by former All Black Mose Tuiali’i and two penalties and conversion from Ayumu Goromaru saw Jubilo lead 23-14.
Kobe fullback Yusuke Hamashima, however, crossed soon after before Goromaru knocked over his fourth penalty seven minutes from time to make it 26-21.
But there was still time for Kobe to lay siege to the Yamaha line and Shinji Ito crossed following a driving maul, with Kenji Shomen sealing the win with the conversion.
Kobe will next play Panasonic Wild Knights, while Toshiba take on Suntory Sungoliath for a place in the final.