Cronje Leads Verblitz into 2nd Spot in Red Conference
TOKYO (Dec. 3) – Toyota Verblitz moved into contention for a place in the playoffs to determine the 2017-18 Japan Rugby Top League champion Sunday as they beat Coca-Cola Red Sparks 55-24.
Lionel Cronje scored three tries and five conversions and Steven Yates weighed in with a brace of five-pointers as Jake White’s team moved into second place in the Red Conference.
Verblitz have 33 points, 10 behind leaders Suntory Sungoliath and two more than third-placed Kobe Kobelco Steelers, who they meet on Dec. 24, the final day of the regular season.
This season the league has been split into two conferences.
Teams play the seven other sides in their conference plus six from the other group to determine the rankings for the end of season playoffs, with the top four sides competing for the league title, which doubles as the All-Japan Championship.
Suntory remain favorites to win the Red group thanks to a 34-5 win over Kintetsu Liners in a game that saw the defending champions dominate the scoring in the second half after a close first half saw the teams turn around at 12-5.
The Liners’ loss sees them prop up the Red Conference with 13 points.
Panasonic Wild Knights lead the White Conference after they recorded their 10th straight win.
Ryu Koliniasi Holani touched down twice and Berrick Barnes kicked three conversions and three penalty goals as Robbie Deans’ team beat NEC Green Rockets 54-5.
The Wild Knights have 49 points, from a possible 50, while NEC remain fourth with 21.
Panasonic’s lead at the top was extended when Yamaha Jubilo lost 27-22 to Toshiba Brave Lupus, who are fourth in the Red Conference with 28 points, having won their last five games.
Yamaha have 36 points, just two more than Ricoh Black Rams with three rounds of the regular season remaining.
In the day’s other games, Sione Teaupa crossed the chalk twice as Kubota Spears topped Munakata Sanix Blues 31-27, while a try and three conversions from JC Roos helped Canon Eagles to a 31-10 win over Toyota Industries Shuttles.