Brodie Retallick shows up Springbok World Cup-winning duo as he continues try-scoring exploits with brace
Brodie Retallick shows up Springbok World Cup winning duo as he continues try scoring exploits with brace
Former All Black Brodie Retallick got on the scoresheet again this weekend, scoring twice for Kobelco Kobe Steelers in a 78-19 victory over Urayasu D-Rocks to retain second place in the Japan Rugby League One table.
The giant lock has remarkably scored 11 tries so far this campaign, three ahead of teammate Inoke Burua, who boosted his total to eight with a hat-trick on Saturday.
With 11 tries in just 10 appearances, Retallick is showing up Springbok World Cup-winning duo Cheslin Kolbe and Jesse Kriel, who boast 10 tries in 16 appearances between them.
Retallick leads the League One try scorers list, while Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars winger Matt Vaega has launched himself into second place with nine after scoring twice against Toyota Verblitz.
Tale of the match
The Kobelco Kobe Steelers was a very one-sided story. Within just 11 minutes, full-back Shunsuke Uenobou had gone over for their first try after receiving the ball just five metres out to open the scoring.
Minutes later, Tiennan Costley ran through a series of weak challenges to extend the Steelers’ lead. The visitors then extended their buffer yet further with two quick tries, the first from Maori All Black Ash Dixon as he drove over from the back of a maul, and the next a length of the field score that was finished by scrum-half Itsuki Kamimura.
Retallick’s immense size allowed him to power over from close range 10 minutes later, before Kanta Matsunaga ran a brilliant support line to finish a breakaway Steelers try.
The in-form Israel Folau would return fire for the D-Rocks before the break, heading into half-time 5-38.
Following a home-side yellow card, it was business as usual for the Steelers after the break, as they broke the line once again for Costley to get his second. Inoke Burua was next, collecting the ball on the right wing before touching down under the posts.
Ryohei Yamanaka provided the hosts with some light at the end of the gloomy tunnel with a classy finish of his own.
It would be Burua and Costley’s time again soon, however, as they both concluded their hat-tricks. Retallick would then cross for his second, before the D-Rocks would sneak through for a try of their own through substitute Taisei Konishi.
This result leaves the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in second place, just two points below Kubota Spears, while the Urayasu D-Rocks struggle just two places above bottom.
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Elsewhere in Japan Rugby League One
Elsewhere, Australian-born Brave Blossoms back-rower Tiennan Costley also scored three times against D-Rocks, as Dave Rennie’s side took their total number of tries from the last six matches to 49.
After being well beaten by Kobe last week, Saitama Wild Knights bounced back with a commanding 66-19 win over Mie Honda Heat.
The return of the influential Brave Blossoms centre Dylan Riley helped ignite the Wild Knights, with the South African-born former Australian U20 international scoring his first try of the season in what was just his third appearance as Saitama raced to a 35-7 half-time lead.
After scoring five tries in the opening period, Saitama added four more in the second, with the nine tries being their largest haul for a single match thus far in the season. Back-rowers Lachlan Boshier and Ben Gunter both scored twice.
The nature of the performance was timely as the Wild Knights prepare for the latest instalment of their rivalry with Kubota Spears, when League One resumes after next weekend’s bye.