Unheralded Knights riding high

THE Panasonic Wild Knights are all but through to the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens semifinals after blitzing the NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels on day one.

Led by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans ( pictured), the Japanese side was arguably the most impressive side through yesterday’s early games at Suncorp Stadium.

They won 15-5 against the Waratahs, then backed it up with a 17-12 victory over the Rebels, who are one of only two Australian sides to have tasted victory so far.

“We shouldn’t have been (underestimated), but we don’t really know what was going through the minds of the opposition,” Deans said.

“I think we genuinely earned both outcomes, which is great.”

Former Reds and Brumbies flanker Daniel Heenan, one of two Australians on Panasonic’s books, said it was proof the Japanese Top League was stronger than most people give it credit for.

The Waratahs lost their sec- ond match 26-14 to the Chiefs, for which superstar Israel Folau was rested, and need to beat the Rebels this morning to have a chance of staying alive.

The Rebels began with a bang, securing an upset 19-5 win against the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, Toulon opened their weekend with a 10-0 loss to the Brumbies, although James O’Connor did not play after injuring his ankle at training on Friday.

Brumbies wildcard Stephen Larkham was on the teamsheet but pulled his calf muscle in the warm-up.