Richie Mo’unga fails to land killer blow as epic comeback falls short against Dave Rennie’s Kobe
Richie Mo'unga missed a late kick at goal.
A thrilling conclusion to the weekend saw Dave Rennie’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers avenge last year’s hat-trick of defeats by Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo in Japan Rugby League One.
Despite rocketing to a 20-0 lead inside of the opening 30 minutes, the visitors had to fend off a furious comeback by the defending champions, eventually prevailing in a desperate finish, 34-33.
Brave Lupus scored four tries in the second half and came within a missed Richie Mo’unga conversion of pulling off a victory that had seemed unlikely for most of the afternoon.
Yellow cards
The home side ramped up the pressure on their opponents towards the back end of the game, with Kobe at one point left with 13 players after both second-rower Gerard Cowley-Tuioti and All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown were hit with yellow cards.
While Brave Lupus made the most of Cowley-Tuioti’s absence to take the lead for the first time through a try by the recently named Japan wider training group member Rob Thompson, the ex-Maori All Black midfielder’s score was almost immediately cancelled out by Kobe full-back Kanta Matsunaga’s second try of the afternoon.
That gave third-placed Kobe a 34-28 lead, but Toshiba hit back again, with centre Rei Ishioka replying six minutes later, leaving Mo’unga with a kick to possibly win the game.
For once, the All Blacks star couldn’t deliver, and while there was still time to play, Kobe held on to secure their seventh and unquestionably most important win of the season.
Eighth attempt
As well as putting last year’s misery against Toshiba – which had included a 73-28 belting – behind them, it was Kobe’s first win over Brave Lupus in eight attempts, having lost six of the previous seven, alongside a draw.
It was also an important test of their mental strength, which will be examined again on Saturday when they host the unbeaten Saitama Wild Knights.
Despite the loss, Brave Lupus remain fourth on the table, although they are now eight points adrift of their conquerors.
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