Fiji-born Wallabies center Samu Kerevi is facing challenges in the early stages of the season with Urayasu D-Rocks, following a significant defeat of 62-19 to Shizuoka Blue Revs. The newly promoted team has struggled defensively, allowing 93 points over the first two weekends of the Japan Rugby League One season.
Kerevi, alongside former Wallaby star Israel Folau, has started the competition with a 0-2 record. The trend of tough starts isn’t exclusive to them, as NRL newcomer Joseph Manu also experienced a loss with Verblitz. After scoring a try on his debut, Manu came off the bench during a close match against Mie Heat, which ended in a 21-17 defeat.
In a notable moment, ex-Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley had a chance to lead his team, Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, to victory against the Wild Knights but was unable to convert a late penalty attempt, resulting in a narrow 26-24 loss. This marks the 16th defeat for the Spears against the Wild Knights in their last 17 encounters.
On a brighter note, the Kobe Steelers celebrated their first win of the season, defeating the Yokohama Eagles 36-18 under the guidance of fellow ex-Wallaby coach Dave Rennie. Additionally, the Brave Lupus Tokyo had a standout performance, winning their match against Sagamihara Dynaboars with a remarkable score of 61-8, showcasing their offensive prowess with seven tries scored in just 20 minutes.
Overall, despite the rocky start for some teams and players, there have been encouraging performances and resilient efforts that show potential for growth as the season progresses. With optimism, fans can look forward to future matches where Kerevi and others hope to turn the tide and achieve better results.
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