Suntory Secure Playoff Spot
TOKYO (Dec. 9) – Suntory Sungoliath became the first team to book themselves a place in the Japan Rugby Top League playoffs Saturday following a 28-13 win over NEC Green Rockets at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Matt Giteau kicked three penalties and a conversion, Daishi Murata and Yasunori Nagatomo both scored tries and the Sungoliath also had a penalty try as they made sure they cannot finish outside the top two in the Red Conference.
This season the league has been split into two conferences of eight teams.
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.
There are three other playoff blocks to determine fifth to 16th positions with the bottom side automatically relegated.
Suntory lead the Red Conference by nine points from Toyota Verblitz who beat NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 46-18.
It was a good day for Toyota’s South African contingent with Jason Jenkins and Gio Aplon among the try scorers and Lionel Cronje weighing in with five conversions and two penalty goals.
Nicholas Ealey scored a try, three conversions and a penalty goal as Kobe Kobelco Steelers ensured they remain a further two points back following their 39-22 victory over Kintetsu Liners.
Panasonic Wild Knights, who take on Munakata Sanix Blues on Sunday, need just three points from their final three games to clinch top spot in the White Conference.
The Wild Knights have 49 points, eight more than Yamaha Jubilo, who beat Coca-Cola Red Sparks 54-7 on Saturday with Yuya Odo scoring two of Jubilo’s eight tries and Ayumu Goromaru kicking six conversions.
Ricoh Black Rams are two points further back following their 35-20 win over Toyota Industries Shuttles in which Takuya Takahira grabbed a try, two conversions and two penalty goals.
In the day’s other game between two sides that look set to play off for either fifth to eighth place or ninth to 12th spot, Shane Gates’ try proved to be the difference as NTT Communications Shining Arcs edged Canon Eagles 8-3.