Suntory Top Red Conference, End Kobe’s Hopes of Top 2 Finish

TOKYO (Dec. 17) – Suntory Sungoliath made sure they will finish the regular Japan Rugby Top League season as the top team in the Red Conference as they beat Kobe Kobelco Steelers 24-7 on Sunday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

Wallabies back-row forward Sean McMahon scored a try on his Top League debut, Matt Giteau weighed in with a five-pointer, three conversions and a penalty goal and Shota Emi touched down as Keisuke Sawaki’s setup a first-round playoff clash with Yamaha Jubilo.

Yamaha earned their spot by finishing second in the White Conference, courtesy of Panasonic’s 50-7 win over that ensured the Black Rams could not overtake Yamaha.

Rikiya Matsuda and Ryu Koliniasi Holani finished the day with a brace of tries apiece as the Wild Knights made it 59 points from a possible 60.

Robbie Deans’ side will have to wait a week to decide who they play in the playoffs, with Toyota Verblitz and Toshiba Brave Lupus both capable of finishing runners-up to Suntory.

The Brave Lupus kept alive their hopes with a 51-14 drubbing of Kintetsu Liners.

Takahiro Ogawa scored two tries and two conversions and Kai Ishii weighed in with two late tries as Toshiba picked up their seventh straight win to put them on 38 points, four behind Verblitz.

Toshiba play Suntory next week while Toyota take on Kobe.

In the day’s other game, Takeo Suenaga crossed the chalk twice as Kubota beat Coca-Cola 12-5 to leave the Spears sixth in the red group and the Red Sparks eighth in the White 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.