Wallaby, All Black rivals vie for top honours in Japan

The Advertiser25-05-2025

Serial championship winner Richie Mo'unga will be chasing a second title in Japan, to go with seven in Super Rugby, when he goes head-to-head with former Wallaby flyhalf rival Bernard Foley in the League One final.
The pair featured prominently on a weekend that saw two former Wallaby coaches ousted from the competition.
Mo'unga gave a masterful display on Saturday, which included two 40/20 kicks and five-from-five off the goal-kicking tee, as his Brave Lupus overran Dave Rennie's Kobe in the second half, turning a 7-3 half-time advantage into a crushing 31-3 victory.
Foley's Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay edged out the Robbie Deans-coached Saitama Wild Knights 28-24 in Sunday's second semi-final, holding their nerve after their opponents threatened to run down a 15-point deficit when they closed to 25-24 midway through the second half.
The Spears, who had the Wild Knights on the back foot from the third minute when Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx scored, wouldn't be denied, and will bid for their second title in League One, after they upset the Wild Knights two seasons ago.
Brave Lupus will be hunting for back-to-back championship crowns in Sunday's grand final, after beating the Wild Knights in last year's decider.
Rennie guided Kobe to the semi-finals for the first time since they won the Japanese nationwide league in 2018, but they were gradually worn down by the defending champions, conceding four tries.
However, it could have been even worse, with Brave Lupus twice being called back for offences in the build-up after crossing the goal line.
Elsewhere, Urayasu D-Rocks' stars Samu Kerevi and Israel Folau still have work to do, even though both scored tries, with the former continuing to push his Wallabies claims by scoring twice in his side's 43-42 defeat by Shuttles Aichi in the first leg of their promotion/relegation series.
Quade Cooper and Will Genia also have to come from behind in the return match if they are to sign off from Hanazono Liners with promotion, after their side lost 29-25 to Mie Heat, for whom ex-Wallaby Tom Banks was a try-scorer.
Serial championship winner Richie Mo'unga will be chasing a second title in Japan, to go with seven in Super Rugby, when he goes head-to-head with former Wallaby flyhalf rival Bernard Foley in the League One final.
The pair featured prominently on a weekend that saw two former Wallaby coaches ousted from the competition.
Mo'unga gave a masterful display on Saturday, which included two 40/20 kicks and five-from-five off the goal-kicking tee, as his Brave Lupus overran Dave Rennie's Kobe in the second half, turning a 7-3 half-time advantage into a crushing 31-3 victory.
Foley's Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay edged out the Robbie Deans-coached Saitama Wild Knights 28-24 in Sunday's second semi-final, holding their nerve after their opponents threatened to run down a 15-point deficit when they closed to 25-24 midway through the second half.
The Spears, who had the Wild Knights on the back foot from the third minute when Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx scored, wouldn't be denied, and will bid for their second title in League One, after they upset the Wild Knights two seasons ago.
Brave Lupus will be hunting for back-to-back championship crowns in Sunday's grand final, after beating the Wild Knights in last year's decider.
Rennie guided Kobe to the semi-finals for the first time since they won the Japanese nationwide league in 2018, but they were gradually worn down by the defending champions, conceding four tries.
However, it could have been even worse, with Brave Lupus twice being called back for offences in the build-up after crossing the goal line.
Elsewhere, Urayasu D-Rocks' stars Samu Kerevi and Israel Folau still have work to do, even though both scored tries, with the former continuing to push his Wallabies claims by scoring twice in his side's 43-42 defeat by Shuttles Aichi in the first leg of their promotion/relegation series.
Quade Cooper and Will Genia also have to come from behind in the return match if they are to sign off from Hanazono Liners with promotion, after their side lost 29-25 to Mie Heat, for whom ex-Wallaby Tom Banks was a try-scorer.
Serial championship winner Richie Mo'unga will be chasing a second title in Japan, to go with seven in Super Rugby, when he goes head-to-head with former Wallaby flyhalf rival Bernard Foley in the League One final.
The pair featured prominently on a weekend that saw two former Wallaby coaches ousted from the competition.
Mo'unga gave a masterful display on Saturday, which included two 40/20 kicks and five-from-five off the goal-kicking tee, as his Brave Lupus overran Dave Rennie's Kobe in the second half, turning a 7-3 half-time advantage into a crushing 31-3 victory.
Foley's Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay edged out the Robbie Deans-coached Saitama Wild Knights 28-24 in Sunday's second semi-final, holding their nerve after their opponents threatened to run down a 15-point deficit when they closed to 25-24 midway through the second half.
The Spears, who had the Wild Knights on the back foot from the third minute when Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx scored, wouldn't be denied, and will bid for their second title in League One, after they upset the Wild Knights two seasons ago.
Brave Lupus will be hunting for back-to-back championship crowns in Sunday's grand final, after beating the Wild Knights in last year's decider.
Rennie guided Kobe to the semi-finals for the first time since they won the Japanese nationwide league in 2018, but they were gradually worn down by the defending champions, conceding four tries.
However, it could have been even worse, with Brave Lupus twice being called back for offences in the build-up after crossing the goal line.
Elsewhere, Urayasu D-Rocks' stars Samu Kerevi and Israel Folau still have work to do, even though both scored tries, with the former continuing to push his Wallabies claims by scoring twice in his side's 43-42 defeat by Shuttles Aichi in the first leg of their promotion/relegation series.
Quade Cooper and Will Genia also have to come from behind in the return match if they are to sign off from Hanazono Liners with promotion, after their side lost 29-25 to Mie Heat, for whom ex-Wallaby Tom Banks was a try-scorer.

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Comeback Crows sink Brisbane in AFL thriller

The Advertiser

9 hours ago

The Advertiser

Comeback Crows sink Brisbane in AFL thriller

Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full. Adelaide have produced a stunning last-quarter comeback to sink reigning premiers Brisbane by five points in an AFL thriller. Down 17 points at three-quarter time, the Crows then booted five goals to none for a 10.8 (68) to 8.15 (63) triumph at a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval on Friday night. Adelaide will retain a hold on third spot regardless of other weekend results - they're just two premiership points behind the second-placed Lions. Adelaide livewire forward Josh Rachele slotted three goals, as did did ex-Lion Ben Keays (20 disposals). And their captain Jordan Dawson took a mark-of-the-year contender - and then goaled - during a final-term flourish which enhances the Crows' status as a genuine contender. Adelaide boast nine wins and four losses and appear certain to return to the finals for the first time since 2017. Brisbane duo Cam Rayner and Charlie Cameron kicked two goals each and Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft was outstanding with a game-high 31 disposals. Ashcroft's midfield colleagues Hugh McCluggage (27 touches, one goal), Jarrod Berry (28 possessions) and Lachie Neal (22) also revelled in the wet. The quartet overpowered the on-ball brigade of Adelaide for the initial three quarters before the Crows' unheralded last term. In slippery conditions, it took until the 21st minute of the game for Brisbane's Rayner to score the opening goal. Just 60 seconds later, the Lions struck again when Callum Ah Chee bounced through a major. The visitors led 2.3 to 0.6 at the end of a first quarter which could land Crows recruit James Peatling in strife for a sling tackle on Neale. The Lions champ wasn't hurt when his head hit the turf but Peatling was penalised for a dangerous tackle certain to attract match review scrutiny. Brisbane scored three goals in nine minutes to create a 21-point advantage midway through the second term. But Adelaide responded to the danger with Rachele threading a remarkable 45m set shot from outside a boundary line to help reduce their deficit - the Lions led by eight points at halftime, 5.3 to 3.7. That advantage was reduced to two points early in the third quarter when Rachele snapped his second goal - and some 26 minutes into the term, the home side were still within four points. But late strikes from Cameron and Kai Lohmann gave Brisbane a 17-point buffer at three-quarter time. Adelaide then stormed to victory with five goals to none in less than 18 minutes. Tall attacker Riley Thilthorpe triggered the spree with a classy goal on the run from an acute angle - Keays, Dawson, Rachele and Keays again followed with majors for an 11-point lead. The Lions pressed late but could add only eight behinds in the final quarter - plus two attempts which sailed out-on-the-full.