Panasonic Top Sanix to Ensure Top Spot in White Conference

TOKYO (Dec. 10) – Panasonic Wild Knights made sure Sunday of a first-place finish in the White Conference in the Japan Rugby Top League as they beat Munakata Sanix Blues 42-7 at Kumagaya Athletic Ground.

Takuya Yamasawa scored a try and six conversions, man-of-the-match Rikiya Matsuda crossed the chalk twice and there were further five-pointers for Ryota Hasegawa, Digby Ioane and Keisuke Moriya as the Wild Knights picked up their 11th straight win of the season.

The victory means Robbie Deans’ team join Suntory Sungoliath, currently top of the Red Conference, in the playoffs to determine the league champion.

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.

Panasonic have 54 points (from a possible 55), 13 more than second-placed Yamaha Jubilo, who they meet on the final weekend, and 15 more than Ricoh Blacks Rams, who they play next week.

Meanwhile in the Red Conference, Toshiba Brave Lupus beat Kubota Spears 38-22 at Osaka’s Kincho Stadium to remain in the hunt for a top-two finish.

Takehisa Usuzuki grabbed a brace and Coenraad van Wyk, Richard Kahui, Stephen Donald and Futoshi Mori all touched down as the Brave Lupus made it six wins on the trot.

Suntory, who ensured their playoff spot with a win over NEC Green Rockets on Saturday, lead the group with 47 points.

Toyota Verblitz are second with 38 points, Kobe Kobelco Steelers third with 36 and Toshiba fourth with 33, with two rounds and a possible 10 points remaining.