Suntory Remain Unbeaten with Game to Play

TOKYO (Jan. 7) – Suntory Sungoliath picked up their 14th win of the Japan Rugby Top League season on Saturday to remain unbeaten and in pole position for the league title.

Keisuke Sawaki’s side ran in seven tries in a 48-0 victory over Toshiba Brave Lupus to leave them on 65 points with just Kobe Kobelco Steelers to play.

Yamaha Jubilo, who play Kintestu Liners on Sunday and Toyota Verblitz next weekend are currently on 57 points.

Takaaki Nakazuru stretched his lead at the top of the top try scorers table by bagging a hat-trick at Ajinomoto Stadium – which will host the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2019 – to take his tally for the season to 17.

There were further five-pointers for Shota Emi, Kenta Tsukamoto, Shunta Nakamura and Kotaro Matsushima, with Kosei Ono kicking five conversions and a penalty goal.

Third-placed Panasonic Wild Knights also have 57 points following a 36-14 win over Verblitz.

Kenki Fukuoka bagged a hat-trick of tries, David Pocock scored his first in the league and Shota Horie also touched down as the Wild Knights put 10 points between them and Kobe, who play Kubota Spears on Sunday.

The top three sides in the league advance to the season ending All Japan Championship along with the winner of the university competition.

In the day’s other game, Japan international Timothy Lafaele scored a try and four conversions as Coca-Cola Red Sparks beat Toyota Industries Shuttles 33-12.

Both sides will finish in the bottom four, and providing they avoid 16th spot, will need to beat sides from the regional leagues in the promotion/relegation playoffs in order to keep their place in the top flight.