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Cooper return trumps Folau brilliance in Japan
By AAP
The 'real' return of Quade Cooper has trumped the brilliance of Israel Folau as Hanazono Kintetsu Liners took an important step towards Division One survival in Japan Rugby League One.
Kintetsu, who had won just once this term, thrashed previously-unbeaten Urayasu D-Rocks 36-14 in the first leg of their Replacement Battle, with Cooper's confident hand providing a key difference for a side that had conceded 854 points in 16 games.
The match was the Wallaby playmaker's first since rupturing his Achilles on international duty in August.
By the time the 35-year-old was withdrawn at halftime to manage his workload, Kintetsu led 19-7, with the pressure on Urayasu such that they had copped two yellow cards.
While only at its halfway stage, the move by Kintetsu coach Yoshitake Mizuma to manipulate the rules by running Cooper out for a minute in the last game of the regular season to ensure his eligibility for the relegation series, appears on-track to be a winner.
Deprived of front-foot ball and pinned in their own territory by the tactical acumen of Cooper and ex-Wallabies halfback Will Genia, Urayasu were unable to get Folau into the game until it was too late.
Dual international Folau's sixth try of the season in the 67th minute was not enough to produce a turnaround.
The try was cancelled out by one from Cooper's replacement Jackson Garden Bachop, leaving D-Rocks with a major hurdle to climb when they head to Osaka for the return fixture.
Former Wallabies Matt Toomua and Curtis Rona should be playing in Division One again next year after their Sagamihara Dynaboars swept aside Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi 59-21 on Saturday.
A try by ex-Wallaby halfback Nick Phipps helped keep the survival hopes of NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu alive, despite their 34-29 loss to second-division Mie Honda Heat on Friday.
The home side, which featured Wallaby fullb ack Tom Banks, led 27-5 at halftime but was pull ed back as the Green Rocket s scored four second-half tries.
Colby Faingaa's Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex appear certain for promotion from Division Three, with the former Brumbies flanker a try-scorer in their 48-0 win over Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks.
The Wycliff Palu-coached Kurita Water Gush Akishima will have home advantage for the second leg of a tie that is on a knife edge after drawing 25-25 with Kamaishi Seawaves of Division Two at Iwate on Saturday.
The former Wallaby backrower's charges led 25-6 but squandered that advantage in the final 20 minutes as the Seawaves stormed back to take the series to Tokyo all square.
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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