Former Wallaby Berrick Barnes achieved remarkable success on his inaugural day with the Saitama Wild Knights’ coaching staff, as his squad comprehensively defeated Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 46-0, marking the conclusion of the opening weekend of Japan Rugby League One.
Barnes joins an updated coaching ensemble for the league’s foundational champions; former Crusaders and Wallaby coach Robbie Deans has transitioned into an advisory capacity, but his successor Atsushi Kanazawa could not have desired a more auspicious beginning.
Demonstrating complete command, the Wild Knights relentlessly capitalized on the missteps of the two-time reigning champions, with the frequently injured fly-half Takuya Yamasawa reminding Brave Blossoms head coach Eddie Jones of his capabilities through an impeccable performance, which included 26 points from kicking.
Richie Mo’unga, Yamasawa’s opposite number for Brave Lupus, was largely kept out of the game as the Wild Knights stormed to a 33-0 lead by halftime, with ex-London Irish and Saracens fullback Tom Parton scoring the third of their four tries.
Fixture
Japan Rugby League One
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo
Saitama Wild Knights
Following an impressive journey to the playoffs in the last season, the league’s fifth iteration could see more of the same for Shizuoka BlueRevs after they commenced with a solid 39-27 victory over Yokohama Canon Eagles, securing their lead against Leon MacDonald’s team in the second half with three tries.
Saturday witnessed Kubota Spears extend their domination over Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Hyogo, although their seventh consecutive win was full of considerable drama.
Spears lock Akira Ieremia received a red card for dangerous play shortly after the midpoint of the game, while the host side saw their All Black star Ardie Savea given a yellow card 10 minutes later for questioning the referee’s decision.
Anton Lienert Brown marked his Kobe debut with a try, but two scores from Haruto Kida ultimately proved decisive, with the Brave Blossoms winger notching his second try ten minutes before the final whistle to secure a 33-28 win for his team.
Tokyo Sungoliath began in impressive style, with seasoned Wallaby loose forward Sean McMahon and renowned Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe both crossing the try line as their squad tallied the last four tries of the match to decisively beat BlackRams Tokyo 29-15.
The Black Rams concluded the fixture with 13 players after hooker Masashi Onishi and halfback TJ Perenara were shown yellow cards in the concluding stages.
Pieter Steph du Toit, a former World Player of the Year, was among the try-scorers as Toyota Verblitz defeated Mie Honda Heat 44-33; simultaneously, an 81st-minute try from former Waikato winger Tana Tuhakaraina gave new Urayasu D-Rocks head coach Graham Rowntree a perfect start, overcoming Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars 27-24.
In Division Two, Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok secured a win on his debut as Hanazono Kintetsu Liners decisively defeated the defending sectional champions, Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi, by a score of 40-14.
Peter Umaga Jensen, an All Black with one cap, scored a try for the victorious team, playing against his twin brother Thomas, who endured a less fortunate afternoon, receiving a yellow card just before fulltime.
