Fiji-born Wallabies center Samu Kerevi is facing challenges at the outset of the season with his team, Urayasu D-Rocks, after a significant defeat to Shizuoka Blue Revs, finishing the match with a score of 62-19. The newly promoted squad has struggled defensively, having conceded a total of 93 points over their first two matches in the Japan Rugby League One.
Kerevi, along with former Wallaby star Israel Folau, has experienced a tough start as their team currently holds a 0-2 record. Joseph Manu, the former NRL recruit, also faced disappointment with Verblitz as they narrowly lost 21-17 to Mie Heat while he came off the bench for the match.
Last week, ex-Wallaby flyhalf Bernard Foley had a dramatic win against Verblitz with an injury-time drop goal. However, this week, he was unable to replicate this success; his late penalty attempt was off target, resulting in a heartbreaking 26-24 loss for Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay against the Wild Knights. This defeat marks a continued struggle for the Spears, having won only once in their last 17 encounters against the Wild Knights.
In more positive news, the Kobe Steelers secured a much-needed win against Yokohama Eagles with a score of 36-18, marking a promising start for Dave Rennie, another former Wallaby coach. Additionally, Brave Lupus Tokyo showcased an impressive performance by overpowering Sagamihara Dynaboars 61-8, cementing their position at the top of the league with their second straight win.
While Kerevi and his teammates endure a challenging season, there remain hopeful signs as other teams, particularly Brave Lupus and the Steelers, show competitive strength. As the season progresses, there’s always the potential for teams to improve and turn their fortunes around, which could lead to a more exciting competition ahead.
Leave a comment