Yamaha Top Standings as 4 Teams Remain Undefeated

YOKOHAMA (Sept. 10) – Four sides remain undefeated following three rounds of the Japan Rugby Top League 2016-17 season.

On the weekend, Top League rugby was played for the first time at the venue that will host the final of Rugby World Cup 2019, Yamaha Jubilo, Toyota Verblitz, Suntory Sungoliath and Toshiba Brave Lupus were all victorious.

Yamaha top the standings after they ran in six tries in a 43-10 win over Munakata Sanix Blues with Gerhard van den Heever continuing his impressive start to the season. The Yamaha fullback scored a try, four conversions and a penalty goal, while centre Viliami Tahitua weighed in with a brace of tries.

Jubilo were joined on 14 points by Verblitz, who beat Honda Heat 32-30.

An upset looked on the cards as Honda, for whom Digby Ioane touched down twice, led 30-25 when the final hooter sounded. But Toyota kept the ball alive and Yuki Kido crossed in the 83rd minute with Ben Lucas adding the all important conversion.

Suntory also had to come from behind as they edged Ricoh Black Rams 23-17, with Kosei Ono’s boot proving the difference. The Japan flyhalf kicked three penalty goals and converted tries by Shunta Nakamura and Shohei Takeshita.

Meanwhile, at Nissan Stadium, fans at the stadium that will host the final of the Rugby World Cup in three years times were treated to a thriller as Toshiba fought back to beat Canon Eagles 21-19 on the back of a penalty from Takahiro Ogawa a minute from time. The victory in front of 11,223 sees Toshiba join their Fuchu neighbour, Suntory, on 13 points.

There was an equally thrilling finish at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground as a drop goal from Louis Fouche three minutes from time helped Kubota Spears to a 24-22 win over Toyota Industries Shuttles.

In the day’s other games, Rakuhei Yamashita bagged a hat-trick of tries as Kobe Kobelco Steelers downed Coca-Cola Red Sparks 48-7, while Panasonic Wild Knights beat Kintetsu Liners 32-20.