Tuiali’i helps Yamaha top NEC

TOKYO (Dec. 21) – Two tries from former All Black Mose Tuiali’i helped Yamaha Jubilo pick up their third win in the second stage of the Japan Rugby Top League on Saturday.

Tuiali’i touched down in the 30th and 39th minutes as Yamaha downed NEC Green Rockets 40-26 in the only top tier Group A game played on the day.

The victory lifts Yamaha to 18 points, the same as group leaders Panasonic Wild Knights, who take on third-place Toshiba Brave Lupus on Sunday.

Replacement prop Kim Kwang Sik crossed four minutes from time to help NEC pick up a bonus point for scoring four tries, but the Green Rockets remain in seventh spot on six points following four straight losses.

Kubota Spears head Group B from Toyota Shokki Shuttles on points difference after both sides won Saturday.

The Spears beat Coca-Cola West Red Sparks 32-5 with Sam Norton-Knight one of the four Kubota try scorers and Japan flyhalf Harumichi Tatekawa weighing in with three conversions and two penalty goals.

South Africa international Ryan Kankoswski crossed twice as the Shuttles hammered Kyuden Voltex 44-12. Katsuyuki Sakai also picked up a brace for the Shuttles, who could have passed the half-century mark but for some inaccurate kicking. Shotaro Onishi crossed for a try but made just two conversions from eight attempts.

In the day’s other game, Todd Clever ensured Communications Shining Arcs won bragging rights as they beat Docomo Red Hurricanes 24-14 in the NTT derby. The U.S. Eagles captain bagged a brace of tries with Philippines international Matt Saunders also touching down, as Comms moved third in the standings on 15 points, three behind the leaders.