European ‘invaders’ off to a flyer in Far East
THE invaders from the north have wasted little time making an impression as former Scotland scrum-half Greig Laidlaw and Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes both marked their debuts with tries.
Laidlaw contributed 12 points as his new side NTT Communications Shining Arcs came from behind to overpower Honda Heat 41-13 in Tokyo. Former Wallaby flanker Liam Gill was also among the Shining Arcs’ six try-scorers.
Parkes scored the last of the Wild Knights’ seven tries as one of the tournament’s favourites overcame the Ricoh Black Rams 55-14.
With England lock George Kruis also making his debut, Panasonic made a big statement of intent, after being denied last year when the competition was called off with the Wild Knights heading the standings after six straight wins.
Young No.8 Shota Fukui scored twice, while Japan’s star of the last World Cup, winger Kenki Fukuoka, also scored. So too did former All Black wing Ben Smith, who marked his Top League debut with a try as the Kobelco Steelers overcame NEC Green Rockets 47-38.
The free-flowing game produced 13 tries with Kobe eventually justifying their favouritism as they set out to defend the title they won in 2019.
Despite the concession of 14 points while Brodie Retallick was in the sin bin, Kobe always held the edge, with the Green Rockets scoring two tries in the final three minutes.
Former Saracens star Alex Goode converted four of NEC’s six tries.
Another of the pre-tournament favourites, the Kubota Spears, were also among the tries, crossing six times in a 43-17 win over the Munakata Sanix Blues. Former Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx rumbled over twice, while the ex-Wallaby fly-half Bernard Foley also bagged a try among his 18 points.
The best game of the opening day saw Toyota Verblitz hold off the fastfinishing Toshiba Brave Lupus, 34-33. Despite having ex-All Black Kieran Read and Wallaby skipper Michael Hooper in their pack for the second half, Toyota almost surrendered a 34-21 lead as Toshiba roared back in a game they feel they should have won.
While the Todd Blackadder-coached Toshiba were more accurate in the second period they still wound up a point short, despite out-scoring the hosts five-tries-to-four.
The final three matches of the opening round are played today. All Black star Beauden Barrett makes his debut in Suntory Sungoliath’s date with the Mitsubishi Dynboars. The Hino Red Dolphins host Yamaha Jubilo, while Keisuke Sawaki, formerly the Canon Eagles, entertain Johan Ackerman’s NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.