Aussie veteran Sean McMahon edged one game closer to his second title in Japan after Tokyo Sungoliath eliminated BlackRams Tokyo 40-35 in a pulsating League One quarter-final.
Sungoliath scored in the fourth minute of added time on Saturday to finally break their gallant rivals, who had been spurred on by two tries from inspirational All Black halfback TJ Perenara.
The 31-year-old McMahon, who joined Sungoliath after playing 27 Tests for Australia between 2014 and 2017, and 49 games for the ill-fated Melbourne Rebels, has only made 64 appearances during an injury-plagued nine years in Japan.
The back-rower’s only title came in his maiden season when he teamed up with Wallaby legend George Smith.
Sungoliath have advanced to a semi-final showdown against former Wallaby boss Dave Rennie’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley also remains in play during his final League One season, after Spears Funabashi Bay ended the run of the two-time defending champions Brave Lupus, winning Sunday’s second quarter final 26-3.
Foley won his personal battle against All Black counterpart Richie Mo’unga, who returns to New Zealand to chase a Test jersey later in the year, having failed in his bid for a hat-trick of titles from his Japanese stint.
Next up for the Spears is a date with a Saitama Wild Knights team that has Foley’s former Waratahs teammate Berrick Barnes on its coaching staff.
