1
Pocock and McMahon set to face off in Japan final
By Online Editors
Australian back-row stars David Pocock and Sean McMahon are set to face-off in the Japanese Top League final, for Panasonic Wild Knights and Suntory Sungoliath respectively.
Pocock will lead his Wild Knights side as captain under ex-Wallabies coach Robbie Deans, playing his last match before returning to Australian rugby with the Brumbies following his sabbatical.
McMahon, who came of age in the Wallabies No.8 jersey in Pocock's absence, is completing a successful first season of a two-year deal with Sungoliath.
That matchup promises to produce a brutal breakdown battle in the final at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Stadium on Saturday, with Australian number 8 Ben Gunter and ex-Reds flanker Hendrick Tui also featuring.
Defending champions Sungoliath have lost just one match in two seasons and belted Jubilo 49-7 in their semi-final last weekend while the Wild Knights, who won three titles in a row between 2013-15, battled to a 17-11 win over Toyota Verblitz.
The match will also feature a standoff between two ex-Wallaby flyhalves, with Matt Giteau named to start at 10 for Sungoliath and Berrick Barnes for Panasonic.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Bath Rugby turnover breaks £20m but losses increase
3
Gloucester Rugby accounts reveal £3 million drop in turnover
4
Exeter Chiefs close to revealing new attack and backs coach
5
Latest Comments
Let’s blame a Chief instead ! 😀
Cane didn’t start in Yokohama but 5 Crusader forwards did and got their tails kicked by the John Mitchell coached England forwards. Well done Hansen!
Go to commentsI don’t really share Johnson’s opinion. Nothing better than Tupaea and Lienert-Brown in NZ? It’s a good duo, and he wouldn’t look out of place, but I think we can do better. Tavatavanawai seems superior to Tupaea at 12. He’s a brute force, who makes few mistakes (which can still be criticized in Tupaea), formidable both with and without the ball in close contact. I can see him playing with Proctor. On paper, this combination would be very, very interesting, in the same philosophy as the iconic Nonu/C Smith duo.
Anyway, I remain convinced that in Razor’s mind, Jordie Barrett is indispensable at center, and he could quickly team up with Leicester Fainga’anuku. I’m betting on that in the near future.
However, a Tavatanawai/Proctor duo would be very interesting. Ennor also seems to be a good option instead of Proctor, who still hasn’t played this season. But Ennor has only played one match... he needs to be seen again and get some game time. There is a lot of talent in New Zealand in these two positions. The hardest part will be cutting players who could make a difference for many teams. The choices are going to be tough. If I had to make a bold bet, and unlike Johnson, I don’t see Tupaea being selected, and I imagine ALB could be in a tight spot against Proctor and Ennor if they are fit.
I imagine Jordie, Havili, Rieko, and Fainga'anuku with Tavatavanawai. Ennor or Proctor if Fainga'anuku is not selected in July. And ALB if Jordie is rested
Go to comments