Former Wallaby winger Marika Koroibete got the party started as Saitama Wild Knights beat Urayasu D-Rocks 37-19 at Kumagaya to continue their unbeaten start to the new season of Japan Rugby League One.
Making his first appearance of the campaign on Sunday, the ex-Melbourne Storm winger crossed in the 10th minute to open the scoring with the first of five tries scored by the home side, three of which were claimed by Brave Blossoms hooker Atsushi Sakate.
Samu Kerevi was a second half try-scorer for D-Rocks, who also featured former Wallaby Israel Folau.
Champions Brave Lupus Tokyo responded to last weekend’s surprise mauling from the Wild Knights by turning the tables on Shizuoka BlueRevs 26-22.
BlueRevs upset Brave Lupus twice last season, but there was to be no third time as the title holders gained their first win of the competition.
Held scoreless last week, Brave Lupus needed just six minutes to notch their opening points this time, with a try from Richie Mo’unga. The All Black flyhalf was a commanding influence throughout.
BlueRevs trailed 19-5 at one point, but a try by ex-Dolphins winger Valynce Te Whare began a resurgence that established a three-point lead, before ex-All Black centre Seta Tamanivalu sealed it for Brave Lupus with a try 15 minutes from fulltime.
Former Wallaby coach Dave Rennie gained his first win as Kobe Steelers overturned a halftime deficit to beat Mie Heat 28-23, while Sagamihara Dynaboars beat Yokohama Eagles 17-10 in today’s fourth match.
On Saturday, Tokyo Sungoliath leapt to the top of the standings after fighting off a determined effort by Verblitz to prevail 43-25, with star Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe scoring two tries for the winners.
Spears Funabashi Bay continued their unbeaten start after a 50-28 win over BlackRams Tokyo.
