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Israel Folau, one of Australia’s most successful cross-code stars, suffered a 31-19 loss with the newly promoted Urayasu D-Rocks beaten on their introduction to Division One, going down 31-19 to Sagamihara Dynaboars.
All Blacks Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell stepped up after the break to get Brave Lupus Tokyo home 28-21 against Yokohama Eagles, both scoring tries after a try from Springbok halfback Faf de Klerk had helped the Eagles to a 16-7 halftime advantage.
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Saturday provided contrasting fortunes for the league’s two former Wallabies coaches, with Saitama Wild Knights providing Robbie Deans with a winning start following a comfortable 33-12 win over Tokyo Sungoliath, while Dave Rennie’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers were felled by an 85th-minute try as they lost 15-13 to Shizuoka Blue Revs.
Kobe paid the price for their ill-discipline, losing ex-Blues second-rower Gerard Cowley-Tuioti to a red card in the 62nd minute, and midfielder Ngane Laumape for a dangerous tackle in injury time, with Blue Revs crossing for the winner two minutes after the former All Blacks’ exit.