In a stunning upset in the Japan Rugby League One, Suntory Sungoliath, sans star player Cheslin Kolbe, fell 34-15 to the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium. Despite fielding heavyweights like All Black Sam Cane and Wallaby Sean McMahon, Suntory couldn’t fend off the Dynaboars, led by a show-stopping performance from fly-half Shun Miyake, who scored all his team’s points.
Miyake, a 24-year-old prodigy from Kobe, delivered a masterclass, claiming a hat-trick in the first half and finishing the game with a personal tally of 34 points. This remarkable feat came just a week after a disappointing performance against Toyota Verblitz, where he missed four crucial kicks. His redemption arc included two conversions, a penalty goal, and three tries, the first of which came just two minutes into the match. Miyake’s explosive form helped his team establish an early 22-5 lead.
Supporting Miyake’s stellar play were former Chiefs and All Blacks scrum-half Brad Weber and World Cup-winning Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am. Am’s strategic prowess and Weber’s agility were instrumental in propelling the Dynaboars to only their third victory of the season. Am also dotted down for his second try of the season in the closing moments, capping off the Dynaboars’ victory even after the Brave Blossoms' second-rower Epineri Uluiviti received a red card.
"Brodie Retallick maintains standards to the 'highest extreme' - a facet that differentiates All Blacks," remarked Eddie Jones.
Despite an initial try from Gideon Wrampling and a follow-up by veteran winger Seiya Ozaki for Suntory, the Dynaboars secured the four-try bonus point, effectively squashing any hopes of a comeback. The win breathed new life into Mitsubishi’s campaign, lifting them from the relegation zone to 10th place in the standings.
In Division Two, the narrative was grim for Manie Libbok as he and Peter Umaga-Jensen tried to spark a late comeback for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. Despite their efforts, which included Libbok creating scoring opportunities and Umaga-Jensen’s bulldozing run leading to a try, the Liners fell 30-22 to the Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves. The Seawaves established a commanding 20-7 lead by halftime, aided by Mitch Hunt’s accurate kicking.
"Luckily, Davie Rennie got the All Blacks job, maybe we can keep Tony Brown now," suggested Rassie Erasmus.
The result underscores a challenging season for Suntory, leaving them 10 points behind third-placed Saitama Wild Knights, while the Dynaboars’ victory gives them a much-needed boost in their fight to avoid relegation.
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In a stunning upset in the Japan Rugby League One, Suntory Sungoliath, sans star player Cheslin Kolbe, fell 34-15 to the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium. Despite fielding heavyweights like All Black Sam Cane and Wallaby Sean McMahon, Suntory couldn’t fend off the Dynaboars, led by a show-stopping performance from fly-half Shun Miyake, who scored all his team’s points.
Miyake, a 24-year-old prodigy from Kobe, delivered a masterclass, claiming a hat-trick in the first half and finishing the game with a personal tally of 34 points. This remarkable feat came just a week after a disappointing performance against Toyota Verblitz, where he missed four crucial kicks. His redemption arc included two conversions, a penalty goal, and three tries, the first of which came just two minutes into the match. Miyake’s explosive form helped his team establish an early 22-5 lead.
Supporting Miyake’s stellar play were former Chiefs and All Blacks scrum-half Brad Weber and World Cup-winning Springboks centre Lukhanyo Am. Am’s strategic prowess and Weber’s agility were instrumental in propelling the Dynaboars to only their third victory of the season. Am also dotted down for his second try of the season in the closing moments, capping off the Dynaboars’ victory even after the Brave Blossoms' second-rower Epineri Uluiviti received a red card.
"Brodie Retallick maintains standards to the 'highest extreme' - a facet that differentiates All Blacks," remarked Eddie Jones.
Despite an initial try from Gideon Wrampling and a follow-up by veteran winger Seiya Ozaki for Suntory, the Dynaboars secured the four-try bonus point, effectively squashing any hopes of a comeback. The win breathed new life into Mitsubishi’s campaign, lifting them from the relegation zone to 10th place in the standings.
In Division Two, the narrative was grim for Manie Libbok as he and Peter Umaga-Jensen tried to spark a late comeback for the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. Despite their efforts, which included Libbok creating scoring opportunities and Umaga-Jensen’s bulldozing run leading to a try, the Liners fell 30-22 to the Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves. The Seawaves established a commanding 20-7 lead by halftime, aided by Mitch Hunt’s accurate kicking.
"Luckily, Davie Rennie got the All Blacks job, maybe we can keep Tony Brown now," suggested Rassie Erasmus.
The result underscores a challenging season for Suntory, leaving them 10 points behind third-placed Saitama Wild Knights, while the Dynaboars’ victory gives them a much-needed boost in their fight to avoid relegation.