Matt McIlraith

1 week ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

TJ Perenara won the battle of the All Black scrumhalves as Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo scored a crucial 37-7 win over Toyota Verblitz to move to within four points of the playoffs positions in today’s Japan Rugby League One action. Aaron Smith’s side barely escaped the indignity of being held scoreless, with South African second rower Adre Smith crossing in 78th minute to spare their blushes in the Black Rams’ four-try-to-one victory.

2 weeks ago | rugbypass.com | Matt McIlraith

It took 15 attempts before Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay finally beat Tokyo Sungoliath, with their historic 31-18 win two years ago, the first leg of what became a three-match wipeout of their previously invincible western Tokyo rivals. This included a 24-18 victory in the 2022-23 semi-finals, as the Frans Ludeke-coached outfit swept to a maiden national title in the second edition of Japan Rugby League One. The Spears have continued to boss Suntory in the time since.

2 weeks ago | nit.com.au | Matt McIlraith

Wallabies Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi have added credit to their applications to play for Australia in this year's British & Irish Lions Test series with try-scoring doubles in Japan Rugby League One over the weekend. Koroibete showed his potency near the goal line with tries in each half as Saitama Wild Knights crushed Verblitz 55-17, while Kerevi's sixth and seventh of the season were both run in from near halfway during Urayasu D-Rocks' 33-22 defeat by Yokohama Eagles.

2 weeks ago | au.news.yahoo.com | Matt McIlraith

Wallabies Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi have added credit to their applications to play for Australia in this year's British & Irish Lions Test series with try-scoring doubles in Japan Rugby League One over the weekend. Koroibete showed his potency near the goal line with tries in each half as Saitama Wild Knights crushed Verblitz 55-17, while Kerevi's sixth and seventh of the season were both run in from near halfway during Urayasu D-Rocks' 33-22 defeat by Yokohama Eagles.

2 weeks ago | nit.com.au | Matt McIlraith

Former NRL stars Joey Manu and Marika Koroibete are set to square off in Japanese club rugby, with the stakes high for the Wallabies winger. Ex-Sydney Roosters ace Manu will start on the right wing for Verblitz, placing him in direct competition with former Melbourne Storm flyer Koroibete, who is on Saitama Wild Knights' left flank. Kiwi league international Manu has has scored nine tries in his maiden rugby union season, including one when Verblitz lost to the Wild Knights earlier in the year.