Barrett on collision course with Deans after kicking Suntory into Top League final
It was the battle between the master and two of his apprentices, but Robbie Deans showed he was still the boss as Panasonic qualified for rugby' union's Top League final in Japan.
The Wild Knights, spearheaded by a hat-trick from retiring Japanese Rugby World Cup hero Kenki Fukuoka, blew Toyota Verblitz away in the final 20 minutes of their semi-final in Osaka, scoring 28 unanswered points to romp to a 48-21 win.
In doing so, Deans reminded two of his former lieutenants who was still boss, as defeat ended the Japanese campaigns of Wallaby skipper Michael Hooper and ex-All Black captain Kieran Read.
The former Wallabies coach played an influential role in the development of both players' careers, introducing Read to the Crusaders as a 21-year-old in 2007, and Hooper to the Wallabies five years later.
The hugely-popular Read brought the curtain down on his glittering 16-year professional career after the game, having fe atured in 127 Tests for the All Blacks and 156 games for the Crusaders.
Panasonic will face Suntory in the final after the Sungoliath, led by 21 points from the boot of All Black flyhalf Beauden Barrett, disposed of the Kubota Spears 26-9 in the second semi-final on Sunday.
Former Wallaby Sean McMahon and Queensland lock Harry Hockings were both impressive in a Suntory pack that dominated its much-vaunted Kubota opposites.
Sunday's decider at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium is a replay of the 2018 final which Suntory won 12-8.
It is Panasonic's fifth appearance in the final during Deans' eight-year association, as he bids to add a fourth Top League to the five Super Rugby titles, he achieved from nine seasons running the Crusaders.
Panasonic made a blistering start on Saturday, with Fukuoka finishing off an 80-metre move from the kick-off to open the scoring, but Toyota immediately rallied.
With punishing former NSW Waratahs lock Jed Holloway prominent, Verblit z stunned their opponents with tries in the fourth, ninth and 16th minutes to briefly rattle the Wild Knights.
Panasonic closed to one point at halftime, trailing 18-17, before turning on the power in the final quarter, with Australian-born centre Dylan Riley one of the try-scorers as the Wild Knights overran their rivals.
Fukuoka, who is retiring to become a doctor, stole the show, scoring two of the last three tries to complete his second hattrick of the season.
He will now play for a maiden Top League title in the final 80 minutes of his career.
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Can we also show some love for Tane Edmed’s fantastic draw and pass? Put his body on the line and committed the defender before letting go of that pass. Flawless skill.
Go to commentsYou forget this is Rassie Erasmus who is still holding the Springbok keys. Even with Felix Jones orchestrating a really tight RWC SF last year. It still wasn't enough to get England past their particular Springbok Monkey in world cups. The reason is FJ was going off of what they did in 2019 not necessarily adapting to current Springboks. So yes, Australia can get passed England because let's be honest, England have a one track strategy, Springboks do not. Even with rush defense I wouldn't be surprised if Rassie continually tweaks it. Also bear in mind Rassie is happy to sacrifice a few mid year and inter World Cup matches to pin point how opposition plays and how to again tweak strategies to get his Springboks in peak performance for the next World Cup. As much as most teams like to win games in front of them and try to win everything, Rassie always makes sure to learn and train for the greatest showdown International Rugby has to offer. Tbh, most people remember World Cup wins and ignore intermediate losses as a result but will remember also WC losses, Ireland, even if they won games in the interim. So even if games are won against the Springboks, it's likely Rassie is just getting a feel for how opposition is moving and adapt accordingly…in time. For Rassie, a loss is never a loss because he uses it as a chance to learn and improve. Sometimes during a game, again like the England match in last year's Semi Final.
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