Five sides ensured of top-four finishes

KASHIWANOHA, Chiba Prefecture (Oct. 11) – Defending Japan Rugby Top League champions Panasonic Wild Knights, last year’s runners-up Suntory Sungoliath, Kobe Kobelco Steelers, Toshiba Brave Lupus and Yamaha Jubilo all ensured themselves of top four finishes in this season’s first stage and a place in the top group for the second half of the season.

 
Panasonic beat NEC Green Rockets 44-21 in Pool A to help Fumiaki Tanaka celebrate his call-up to the Barbarians, the scrum half becoming just the fourth Japan player to be picked for the famous invitation side.

Tanaka was named man-of-the-match and fly half Berrick Barnes – last season’s MVP – picked up a try, four conversions and three penalty goals as the Wild Knights made it a miserable day for NEC, who will play in the bottom group in the latter half of the season.

Kubota Spears remain in the hunt for a place in the top group of the second stage but their hopes were dented when they went down 29-24 to Toyota Industries Shuttles, for whom Mark Gerrard scored a try and three conversions. The result was good news for Toshiba and Yamaha as it meant they qualified for the top four without playing Saturday.

Kobe remain the only unbeaten side in the league after they drew 24-24 with Toyota Verblitz, with Yuta Imamura crossing twice for the Steelers to ensure they remain top of Pool B on 25 points. Toyota’s two points, which take them to 18 for the season, means Coca-Cola Red Sparks cannot finish in the top four.

Suntory remain second in the pool on 23 points after they beat Kintetsu Liners 31-30 in front of 9,713 at Osaka’s Hanazono Stadium with hooker Naoki Ozawa bagging a brace of five-pointers.

In the other game in Pool B, Ricoh Black Rams beat NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 31-24 with Pohiva Yamato Lotoahea touching down twice to ensure the Black Rams remain in the chase for a top-four finish.