Matt McIlraith, Australian Associated Press (AAP) Journalist Profile

Articles

All Black Richie Mo'unga makes history with title win in Japan

6 days ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo have held off a fast-finishing Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay 18-13 in today’s decider to become the first side to win two titles in Japan Rugby League One. Led by another accomplished performance from All Blacks fly-half Richie Mo’unga, who largely controlled proceedings, Brave Lupus dominated much of the game but were unable to completely break free thanks to a resolute Spears’ defence.
Delight for Samu Kerevi but despair for his long-time Wallabies team-mates

1 week ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

Samu Kerevi has been the key man for Urayasu D-Rocks all season, so it was no surprise that he stepped up again when it mattered by scoring two tries to help his side retain Division One status after a nervous 27-21 win over Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi today. Following a thrilling 43-42 win in the opening leg last week, the Division Two side made a great start, jumping to a 14-0 advantage after the first quarter, but the supremacy didn’t last.
Once 'fallen giants' on the verge of history thanks to All Blacks

1 week ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

This time twelve months ago, former Tasman, Crusaders, Bath and Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo coach Todd Blackadder had never won a title as a professional coach. On Sunday the ex-All Black captain is in great shape to win a second, with his side poised to become the first in Japan Rugby League One to go back-to-back. Standing in the way are their title predecessors, Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay.
World Cup winner stands in the way of yet more silverware for Mo'unga

1 week ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

There was a time in Japan Rugby League One when Richie Mo’unga appeared immortal. After arriving last year with seven Super Rugby titles already on his CV, and announcinghimself to excited Japanese crowds with a further championship, fans were probably entitledto start thinking: ?? guy ???????????????? (“Does this guy ever lose”?)Kwagga Smith’s Shizuoka BlueRevs answered that question when they dominatedMo’unga’s Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo 34-28 in January.
All Black and Springbok the toast of Japan Rugby League One

1 week ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

All Black flyhalf Richie Mo’unga and Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx were the toast of Tokyo after they led their sides into the Japan Rugby League One decider following inspirational semi-final performances over the weekend. Mo’unga, who will be looking to add a second League One title to his seven in Super Rugby, appeared to have the ball on a string at times as he orchestrated Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo’s 31-3 demolition of Kobelco Kobe Steelers yesterday.
Wallabies' duo need to make a Lions statement this weekend

2 weeks ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

There might be other business at hand, but Wallabies-hopefuls Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are also running out of time to impress Joe Schmidt as Japan Rugby League One enters its penultimate weekend. Kerevi, who has been one of the players of the season across the league, will suit up for Urayasu D-Rocks on Saturday as they seek to avoid relegation in the first leg of their series against Division Two champions, Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi.
Latest twist in rivalry between Super Rugby giants set to unfold in Japan

2 weeks ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

Collectively, there are nine Super Rugby titles and seven in Japan Rugby League One amongst the four coaches going head-to-head in this weekend’s semi-finals in Tokyo. But which man will have added another to their CV in two weeks’ time? Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights mentor Robbie Deans leads the way for silverware won, with five Super Rugby titles at the Crusaders, and five in Japan, but his South African opponent in Sunday’s semi-final has also succeeded in both competitions.
The Kwagga Smith fairytale is sady over

2 weeks ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

The fairlytale is over for Kwagga Smith’s Shizuoka BlueRevs after they were felled 35-20 by Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the opening quarter final of Japan Rugby League One. The competition’s Cinderella story, the BlueRevs won 14 games in qualifying to finish the regular season fourth, but the tone was set for yesterday’s elimination contest from the kick off when Kobe forced a turnover by denying Shizuoka the opportunity to clear the ball from a maul.
Malcolm Marx's Kubota Spears are a problem

3 weeks ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

The sun is shining on Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay again in Japan Rugby League One. This time twelve months ago, their season was over, their title-defence having been decimated by injury during a tortuous campaign where they lost eight matches, which is more than in the other three editions of League One combined.
Springboks continue to reap tries in Japan Rugby League One

3 weeks ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

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