Kobe stay unbeaten by downing Suntory

TOKYO (Sept. 19) – Kobe Kobelco Steelers made sure there was just one undefeated team left in the Japan Rugby Top League as they defeated Suntory Sungoliath 29-22 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on Friday night.

The Steelers made it five wins from as many games to head Pool B on 23 points, five more than Suntory, who managed to pick up a losing bonus point thanks to a last-minute try by Shinnosuke Kakinaga.

Inside center Ryohei Yamanaka picked up the man-of-the-match award thanks to some powerful line breaks and his accurate left foot that helped him land three conversions and a penalty goal.

Kobe had had to make a couple of late changes fter Shohei Maekawa injured his MCL during the captain’s run on Thursday, but it was their rearranged pack that laid the foundations for the win and three of their four tries came from forwards with Ryuta Yasui, Pasuka Mapakaitolo and Masayuki Murakami crossing the whitewash along with wing Rakuhei Yamashita.

Suntory’s scores came via tries by Takaaki Nakazuru, Takamichi Sasaki and Kakinaga with Tusi Pisi adding two conversions and a penalty goal.

“We showed unbelievable character to defend right until the final whistle,” said Kobe head coach Gary Gold. “Our work rate off the ball was very good today. When you understand what a threat Suntory are with ball in hand and you understand how hard our players worked. If we had won or lost I wouldn’t have changed the way I feel. I am very proud of the players.”

Suntory director of rugby Naoya Okubo, meanwhile, was left to rue what might have been.

“We wanted to attack but just couldn’t. Kobe were a very physical side.”