Clutch Manie Libbok creates INSANE 95-metre match-winner while Springbok powerhouse scores twice
Manie Libbok in action for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.
Manie Libbok played a pivotal role in a 95-metre match-winning try for Hanazono Kintetsu Liners over the weekend in the Japan Rugby League One second division.
The Liners visited the Shimizu Corporation Koto Blue Sharks in round five, with both clubs heading into the fixture boasting unbeaten starts to the season.
Manie Libbok’s heroics
As expected, it was an arm-wrestle encounter with snowy conditions not being conducive to attacking rugby, with the Blue Sharks leading 11-14 heading into the final quarter, having scored two tries to the Liners’ one.
That was when Libbok produced the first of his heroic interventions as he outpaced Coenie van Wyk to the ball after the former Pumas star kicked ahead after a line break. The Springbok managed to dot the ball down over his own line to defuse the threat.
Into the final 10 minutes, and the Blue Sharks were camped inside the Liners’ 22 and relentlessly attacked, looking for a score to kill off the game.
However, the visitors finally forced an error and were awarded a scrum near their try-line with two minutes left on the clock and trailing by three points.
The Liners launched a desperate attack but after five phases where they were shunted behind their own five-metre line. Libbok then decided to pull the trigger and put in an inch-perfect cross kick for Takahiro Hayashi who made it up to the 10-metre line before being dragged down.
Libbok quickly repeated the act as the Springbok’s second kick evaded the clutches of Van Wyk and landed safely in the grasp of replacement back Kensho Kawamura, who raced away and managed to reach out for the match-winning try.
The result sees Libbok’s Liners open up a four-point lead at the top of the second division’s league table with the Blue Sharks just below them.
Jasper Wiese double
Meanwhile, fellow Springboks star Jasper Wiese grabbed a double for the Urayasu D-Rocks, who fell to a 48-14 defeat at the hands of Kubota Spears.
Wiese was outdone, though, by Spears number eight and Brave Blossoms international Faulua Makisi, who scored a hat-trick of five pointers.
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The maximum point return from Frans Ludeke’s men closed the gap between the Spears and Wild Knights at the top of the standings to two, with the teams scheduled to meet next month.
Meanwhile, the Knights were made to work hard for their 13-6 over the BlackRams Tokyo.
