Panasonic set up Top League final clash with Yamaha
TOKYO (Jan. 25) – Panasonic Wild Knights will play Yamaha Jubilo for the 2014-15 Japan Rugby Top League crown and LIXIL Cup, following Sunday’s second TL semifinal.
The Wild Knights ran in four first-half tries and added one more in the second stanza as they avenged two earlier defeats this season to Toshiba Brave Lupus, winning 50-15.
Tadasuke Nishihara set the tone for the afternoon at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground with a try in the opening minute as defending champions Panasonic exploded out of the blocks.
Akihito Yamada scored a sensational try in the 16th minute following a great offload from Berrick Barnes before Tomoki Kitagawa crossed twice as the Wild Knights showed some amazing skills with ball in hand.
Toshiba could only manage a penalty through Francois Steyn as Panasonic led 37-3 at the break.
The Brave Lupus did eventually enter the try column on the scoresheet through Hiroki Yuhara and a penalty try. But Daniel Heenan rounded off a great day with a try seven minutes from time that was converted by Barnes, who finished the day with five conversions and five penalties from as many attempts.
“It was a special performance from these blokes and they can be very proud of their effort,” said Panasonic coach Robbie Deans. “Toshiba had given us two lessons this year so we knew we had to play particularly well to get the result we wanted.”
Toshiba head coach Teppei Tomioka said his side had wilted under the pressure.
“We prepared well but Panasonic prepared better. They took it to us in the first 20 minutes and we started to panic and make mistakes and you can’t make mistakes in big games,” he said.
Meanwhile, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes and NEC Green Rockets will compete for the second spot in the All-Japan Championship after they won their wild card games on Sunday.
Docomo topped Toyota Verblitz 36-27 while NEC edged Canon Eagles 14-10.
The two winners will play each other next week with Suntory Sungoliath and Ricoh Black Rams vying for the other spot in the season-ending tournament.