NEC upset Suntory to end champions’ winning streak

TOKYO (Sept 14) – Suntory Sungoliath’s 25-match winning streak in the Japan Rugby Top League and All-Japan Championship came to an end Saturday at the hands of NEC Green Rockets.

Yu Tamura’s conversion of Nemani Nadolo’s last-minute try saw NEC come from behind to win their Pool A game 34-33 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

“Suntory are an absolute champion side and have few weaknesses. But we did a great job analysing them and exploited the few weaknesses they have,” said NEC head coach Greg Cooper.

NEC had led 18-0 after 24 minutes on the back of tries by Tsuyoshi Murata and Neil Brew and two penalties and a conversion by Shaun Webb.

But Suntory clawed slowly clawed their way back into the game and a try by Takamichi Sasaki, converted by Kosei Ono in the 61st minute saw them take a 26-24 lead. Koji Taira then added his second try of the game to increase the lead, only for Tamura to kick a penalty in the 76th minute and then land the all important conversion.

Suntory’s loss means there are just three unbeaten teams in the two pools of eight.

A hat-trick of tries by Jaque Fourie helped Kobe Kobelco Steelers thrash the previously unbeaten NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes 48-3 and take the Steelers to the top of Pool A.

In Pool B, Toshiba Brave Lupus head the standings after beating Kubota Spears 22-20 thanks to a try by Cooper Vuna four minutes from time.

Yamaha Jubilo are also unbeaten after they drew 13-13 with Panasonic Wild Knights. Kyosuke Horie touched down in the 77th minute and Ayumu Goromaru’s right boot did the rest as Jubilo came from behind to share the spoils at Yamaha Stadium.

In the day’s other game, Kim Chul Won touched down twice as Kintetsu Liners recored their first win of the season with a 34-14 hammering of Coca-Cola West Red Sparks.