Cheslin Kolbe cruelly denied OUTRAGEOUS 50-metre stunner as Israel Folau’s hat-trick ultimately pointless
Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe in action for Suntory Sungoliath in the Japan Rugby League One.
Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe racked up 16 points for Suntory Sungoliath in a man-of-the-match showing against the Urayasu D-Rocks.
Kolbe’s efforts steered the club to a 41-19 Japan Rugby League One bonus-point victory over the Graham Rowntree-led side who boasted the likes of Jasper Wiese, Samu Kerevi and Israel Folau in their starting XV.
Featuring in his third game of the season, 36-year-old Folau scored a hat-trick of tries for the D-Rocks with the club exploiting his aerial prowess as he crossed for tries in the 33rd, 51st and 62nd minutes.
Kolbe denied insane 50-metre try
However, his efforts were in vain as the D-Rocks failed to secure a single league point from the clash as Suntory cemented their place in the top six, outscoring the visitors six tries to three.
Former All Blacks back-rower Sam Cane and Kolbe were among the six try-scorers, with the latter spinning his way over the line in the 59th minute after being cruelly denied a stunner in the first half.
The D-Rocks spoiled possession at a lineout outside the Sungoliath 22 in the 17th minute and the hosts pounced on the loose ball with Cane throwing a lovely behind-the-back pass with the ball quickly spun out to Kolbe.
The Bok winger received the ball just inside his own half before and quickly evaded the first two attempted tackles. He looked as if he had been stopped by Brave Blossoms’ full-back Ryohei Yamanaka but Kolbe was quick to place the ball and get back to his feet.
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One last fend on the D-Rocks’ loosehead prop left only Hikaru Tamura back to stop the double World Cup winner, who put on the afterburners to finish off a truly remarkable try.
However, that glorious five-pointer was chalked off by the TMO as Suntory lock Harry Hockings had knocked the ball on at the lineout at the start of the passage of play.
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Unlucky @CheslinKolbe 😬
A stunning 50-metre try ruled. pic.twitter.com/lRh5rzzTxY
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 15, 2026
As mentioned above, Kolbe did get onto the scoreboard in the second half while he was also entrusted with the kicking duties once again, covering four of the six tries as well as a penalty.
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The victory for Suntory means that they end the round of action in fifth position, and four points adrift of the Kobe Kobelco Steelers, but they do have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, the vastly improved D-Rocks, who finished bottom of the table last season, rank eighth overall, having already matched their tally of three wins in 2024/25 this campaign.
