Toyota Verblitz 15 – 8 Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
After only six points separated Toyota Verblitz and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo, across two meetings last season, last weekend’s meeting was always going to be a close one. Three tries were scored, all coming in the first half, as the second 40 minutes broke down into a grinding stalemate. The All Black partnership of Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett experienced their first win with Toyota Verblitz, and led their new side to a hot start. Verblitz crossed over for two tries in the first 12 minutes, before the pace of the match slowed to a sparring contest.
Verblitz’ hard-hitting Rugby World Cup winner Pieter-Steph du Toit was sin binned, after his side had been repeatedly warned when giving away penalties. Former England and Bristol back-row Nathan Hughes capitalised on the extra man advantage, and drove over for a try that narrowed down the deficit to 12-8. Just one penalty followed in the second half, with the Black Rams gaining a losing bonus point.
Toshiba Brave Lupus 43 – 30 Shizuoka Blue Revs
On the day that was supposed to present Brave Lupus latest signings, in All Blacks fly half Richie Mo’unga and back row Shannon Frizzell, the star of the show was Lupus wing Jone Naikabula. The Fijian flyer scored four tries against the resilient Blue Revs, and three of which came within a spell of just 14 minutes in a high-octane second half. The Blue Revs had closed the gap to just 36-30 with 15 minutes left to play, yet Toshiba managed to pull away for the final stretch of this exhilarating contest.
After scoring the opening three tries, and taking a 17-5 lead within the first 20 minutes, Shizuoka will feel like this was a win that got away. A customary try from Rugby World Cup winner Kwagga Smith proved to be a consolation score, in what was the Blue Revs captain’s 16th try in 23 games out in Japan.