Kobe top NEC to stay unbeaten

KASHIWA, Japan (Nov. 22) – Andy Ellis picked up his second straight man-of-the-match award Sunday as Kobe Kobelco Steelers beat NEC Green Rockets 46-12 to wrap up action in Round 2 of the 2015-16 Japan Rugby Top League season.

The former All Black scrumhalf set up two tries in the first half and was the perfect link between his pack and backs as the Steeler remained unbeaten under new coach Allister Coetzee.

Ellis produced a superb dummy and 40-metre break to set up Andries Bekker in the fourth minute and then an inch perfect kick pass to Fraser Anderson in the 32nd minute at Kashiwanoha Stadium.

Kenji Shomen also touched down for Kobe with Ryohei Yamanaka adding a conversion and drop goal, despite playing into the wind.

Yu Tamura, meanwhile, converted his own try for NEC as Kobe went into the break leading 20-7.

With the wind behind them, the Steelers then scored two tries in quick succession to open the second half, helped by a numerical advantage with NEC No. 8 Scott Higginbotham in the sin bin.

Takeshi Kizu and Hiroshi Yamashita both crossed and Yamanaka made both conversions as Kobe went 34-7 up.

Jaque Fourie’s introduction off the bench in the 55th minute had an immediate impact when the 2007 Rugby World Cup winner set up Itaru Taniguchi for Kobe’s sixth try.

Yosuke Isui closed the gap with a try for NEC in the 65th minute but Kobe finished strongest with Isileli Vakauta Nakajima going over just before the hooter.

The victory leave Kobe in second place in Group B, equal on points with Yamaha Jubilo but with a slightly inferior points difference.