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Wallaby stars for Wild Knights despite turbulent month off the pitch
By AAP
After a month that included the birth of his fourth child as well as a trip back to Fiji for his father's funeral, Wallaby star Marika Koroibete has shown he is up for the business end of Japan Rugby League One season.
Koroibete produced a dominant performance as Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights outclassed Matt Toomu'a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars 61-29 in Tokyo on Sunday.
The imposing Fijian-born winger scored his fourth try of the season on the scoresheet as Saitama ran in nine tries to four to remain unbeaten in this year's competition.
Staring a total rout in the face as they trailed 49-8 at halftime, Sagamihara showed some spirit, 'winning' the second half 21-12, with former Wallaby centre Curtis Rona among their try-scorers.
Fellow former Wallaby Nick Phipps was a two-time try-scorer for NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu.
But the halfback's tries were in vain as Kobelco Kobe Steelers prevailed 59-26 to leave NEC stranded in 11th, and now almost certainly condemned to a place in the end of season relegation series.
Although Saitama appears unlikely to be caught in the race for the top qualifying position ahead of the May playoffs, Bernard Foley's Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay took a big step towards securing a home semi-final by finishing second, after a crucial 15-5 win over fellow title-contender Yokohama Canon Eagles in Tokyo.
Kubota led 5-0 at halftime after the ninth try of the season by Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx.
With his countryman, second rower Ruan Botha, adding a second after halftime, the Spears pushed out to a 15-0 advantage before Canon scored their only points three minutes before the end.
The loss dropped Yokohama to fourth, just three points ahead of Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, who survived a late rally by Toyota Verblitz to win 19-18, after Verblitz fullback Tiaan Falcon missed a conversion from a handy angle in the game's final act.
Australian fullback S am Greene was the hero for the Shizuoka Blue Revs, sc oring all 19 points as his side handed Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo their first defeat in four matches.
The 19-15 win lifted the Blue Revs out of the relegation zone.
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Latest Comments
John, McKenzie was 10 years ago and he only lasted 15 months until the disgustingly unfair affair that brought him down. I thought that if he didn't get another gig over Eddie V2 then he was done. I read that he had been approached but declined to put his name in the ring.
There are no potential Wallaby coaches outside of McKellar unless you have some inside info?
Go to commentsThe way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.
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