Fiji-born Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi is facing a challenging beginning to his season with the Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan, as the team suffered a heavy defeat, losing 62-19 to the Shizuoka Blue Revs. With two games played, the newly promoted club has already conceded a staggering total of 93 points.
In addition to Kerevi, fellow former Wallaby Israel Folau is also navigating a difficult start, as both players find their teams at 0-2 in the fourth edition of Japan Rugby League One. Verblitz’s Joseph Manu, another notable player who transitioned from the NRL, experienced a setback as his team lost 21-17 to Mie Heat, despite scoring a try in his debut just a week prior.
Ex-Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley had a chance to turn the tide late in his match but failed to convert a penalty goal attempt, resulting in the Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay falling 26-24 to the Robbie Deans-coached Wild Knights. This defeat marked the 16th time in the last 17 encounters that the Spears have been bested by the Wild Knights.
On a brighter note, the Kobe Steelers managed to secure their first win of the season with a 36-18 victory over the Yokohama Eagles, under the guidance of former Wallaby coach Dave Rennie. Meanwhile, the Brave Lupus Tokyo continued their strong title defense by dominating the Sagamihara Dynaboars with a decisive 61-8 win, showcasing their prowess by scoring seven tries in just a 20-minute span.
This season may have started off tough for some teams, but there are still moments of hope and excitement, especially with teams like Kobe Steelers and Brave Lupus Tokyo proving that strong performances can emerge even in challenging leagues. The potential for improvement and recovery is always on the horizon, making for an interesting season ahead.
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