Deans dips out in Japanese club final

Robbie Deans lost his chance for a fourth Japanese Top League title in five seasons.

The former All Blacks assistantcoach’s Panasonic Wild Knights side suffered their first defeat of the season, losing Saturday’s final 12-8 to defending champions Suntory Sungoliath before 23,416 fans in Tokyo.

‘‘We came up short today but contributed to what was a great final,’’ Deans told Kyodo News.

‘‘Without doubt today’s encounter was beyond anything we have experienced before. We just couldn’t put the ball down over the chalk. That was the difference.’’

Deans was targeting his 10th title after five Super Rugby crowns with the Crusaders, the 1997 NPC with Canterbury and three Top League championships.

But the Wild Knights’ cause was not helped when former Wallabies pivot Berrick Barnes left the field with an injury after 10 minutes and star Australian flanker David Pocock had to be replaced at halftime.

‘‘With Pocock off the field, we had much more opportunity to control the breakdown,’’ Suntory head coach Keisuke Sawaki told Kyodo News.

‘‘That was the best we have played all season. We showed a lot of patience, never panicked and communicated well throughout the game. It really was a good performance.’’

Suntory – fielding former Hurricanes lock Joe Wheeler – got a great start with a fourth minute try to second five-eighth Ryoto Nakamura after a grubber kick from ex-Wallabies star Matt Giteau.

But the Wild Knights – down to 14 men while Barnes was receiving treatment – struck back through a try to former Wallabies forward Daniel Heenan. Wing Shota Emi’s try and Giteau’s sideline conversion gave Suntory a 12-5 halftime lead.

Deans’ men held the champions scoreless in the second half but could only manage a 56th penalty to replacement first five-eighth Takuya Yamasawa.

Meanwhile, former All Blacks halfback Danny Lee has coached the Honda Heat to the Top Challenge championship title – the second tier of Japanese rugby.