Panasonic open TL season with big win over Suntory

TOKYO (Nov. 13) – Panasonic Wild Knights opened the 2015-16 Japan Rugby Top League season with a 38-5 win over Suntory Sungoliath on Friday night.

In front of 10,792 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, the two-time defending league champions scored four tries in a commanding performance, with Berrick Barnes and Fumiaki Tanaka controlling things at halfback and the Wild Knights’ defense limiting Suntory to just one score.

Barnes opened the scoring with the first of four penalties in the third minute.

He then turned creator as Akihito Yamada followed up his flyhalf’s kick to touch down in the corner, Barnes adding the extras to make it 10-0.

Suntory indiscipline allowed Barnes to stretch the lead with three more penalties before he and Yamada again linked up for the Wild Knights’ second try.

This time it came via a good offload from the flyhalf, who once again added the extras from the touchline to make it 26-0 at the break.

Panasonic’s third try also came from a Barnes kick with JP Pietersen making the most of a good kick pass as the Wild Knights went 31-0 up.

Tusi Pisi finally managed to break the Panasonic defensive line to cross for Suntory. But it was the team in blue that scored last with You Young Nam going over and Hayden Parker adding the conversion.

“It was obviously not the result we were hoping for,” Suntory coach Andy Friend said. “Fundamental errors and indiscipline especially in the first 15 minutes really hurt us.”

“But hats off to them, they are a quality side. Berrick Barnes controlled the game beautifully and they are the champion team for a reason.”

Panasonic coach Robbie Deans was naturally delighted with the win and had special praise for his halfbacks.

 
“Berrick was right in the hub of it all,” he said. “I thought Fumiaki (Tanaka) also played well and those two are key for us. The critical part of their role is decision making and they barely put a foot wrong. All their choices were good and their execution was accurate.”