Fiji-born Wallabies center Samu Kerevi is facing a challenging start to the season with the Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan, as the team experienced a heavy defeat, losing 62-19 to the Shizuoka Blue Revs. The newly promoted club has struggled defensively, allowing a total of 93 points in just two games.
Kerevi, alongside fellow former Wallaby Israel Folau, has encountered a tough 0-2 record in the fourth season of Japan Rugby League One. Similarly, Joseph Manu, the former Roosters center who recently joined Verblitz, also faced disappointment as he came off the bench in a game where his team fell short, losing 21-17 to Mie Heat.
In another match, former Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley had a frustrating outing, missing a crucial late penalty that could have led his team, Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, to victory against the Wild Knights, ending up with a narrow loss of 26-24. This defeat marked the 16th time in the last 17 encounters that the Spears have lost to the Wild Knights.
On a more positive note, the Kobe Steelers managed to secure their first win of the season by defeating the Yokohama Eagles 36-18, guided by former Wallaby coach Dave Rennie. Additionally, the Brave Lupus Tokyo showcased their strength in the competition by achieving a commanding 61-8 victory over the Sagamihara Dynaboars, continuing their title defense with impressive performances.
Despite the tough start for Kerevi and others, the season is still young, and teams have the opportunity to regroup and improve as they look forward to enhancing their performances in the weeks to come. This competitive league is filled with talent, ensuring that fans can expect thrilling matches and potential upsets ahead.
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