Fiji-born Wallabies center Samu Kerevi is facing a challenging season start with the Urayasu D-Rocks in Japan, having suffered a heavy defeat of 62-19 against the Shizuoka Blue Revs. The newly promoted club has had a difficult time, conceding a total of 93 points over the opening two weekends of the Japan Rugby League One.
Kerevi, alongside former Wallabies star Israel Folau, now holds a record of 0-2 as the season unfolds. They are not alone in this struggle; Joseph Manu, a recent recruit from NRL, is also experiencing a challenging season. Despite scoring during his debut last week, Manu’s team, coached by Steve Hansen, lost narrowly to Mie Heat with a score of 21-17.
Meanwhile, former Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley had a bittersweet moment; after securing a win with an injury-time drop goal the previous week, he missed a late penalty opportunity that could have clinched victory for Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, resulting in a 26-24 loss to the Wild Knights. This defeat marks the 16th time in their last 17 encounters that Spears have fallen short against the Wild Knights.
In more positive news, the Kobe Steelers achieved their first win of the season under coach Dave Rennie, triumphed 36-18 over Yokohama Eagles. Additionally, Brave Lupus Tokyo showcased a remarkable performance, securing their second win by overwhelming Sagamihara Dynaboars 61-8, scoring seven tries in just 20 minutes.
As the season progresses, these players and their teams will undoubtedly be looking to turn around their fortunes, showcasing resilience and skill in a highly competitive league.
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