Canon book spot in playoffs

TOKYO (Dec 13) – Naoki Moriya’s man-of-the-match performance ensured that Canon Eagles became the fourth to book a spot in the LIXIL Cup, the playoff tournament for the Japan Rugby Top League.

The Eagles’ wing scored a try and kicked five conversions from as many attempts as Canon fought back to beat Toyota Industries Shuttles 35-19.

The Shuttles led 5-0 at the break thanks to a try by Rikiya Asami. But they were well beaten in the second stanza as Canon scored five tries.

Moriya was joined on the scoresheet by Kosuke Hashino, former All Blacks flanker Adam Thomson, Springbok fullback Willie le Roux and Ryota Suginaga.

Toyota’s second half points came from a try by Kento Matsui, converted by Bryce Hegarty and a penalty try converted by Mark Gerrard.

The win lifts Canon into third spot in the standings on 21 points behind Yamaha Jubilo (24) and Toyota Verblitz (also on 21 but with a better points difference) and ahead of Kobe Kobelco Steelers (20).

With two games remaining in the regular season none of the top four be overtaken by the side currently in fifth, NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, who have eight points.

This year’s competition has been shortened because of the Rugby World Cup and the start of the Super Rugby season in February.

The top four teams from Groups A and B take part in a knockout tournament with the final taking place on Jan. 24.