Giteau Opens Top League Account as Suntory Top Ricoh

TOKYO (Aug. 25) – Matt Giteau scored his first tries in the Japan Rugby Top League on Friday as Suntory Sungoliath made it two bonus point wins from two games so start the new season.

The Australian centre touched down in the 12th and 34th minutes in the Sungoliath’s 31-15 win over Ricoh Black Rams in front of 10,218 fans at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

Giteau was joined on the scoresheet by man-of-the-match Kotaro Matsushima, who also picked up a brace of five-pointers. Giteau’s midfield partner Daishi Murata also touched down, while Kosei Ono kicked three conversions.

Ricoh pushed Suntory the whole game and came close to scoring a try at the end that would have denied Suntory a bonus point, but they were denied by some strong defense.

Shuhei Matsuhashi and Alex Woonton both crossed the chalk for the Black Rams with Robbie Robinson – who was a late change from 15 to 10 after Tamati Ellison picked up an injury at the captain’s run – adding a conversion and a penalty goal.

Earlier, in the first game of the doubleheader at Chichibunomiya, NTT Communications Shining Arcs picked up their first win of the season as they beat Toshiba Brave Lupus 25-14.

Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, Shokei Kin and Shane Gates made the most of some great handling from the Shining Arcs to score tries and Jumpei Ogura kicked two penalty goals and two conversions.

Toshiba’s points came from tries by Takahiro Ogawa and Keisuke Matsuda, both of which were converted by Ogawa.