Lions spoil Sunwolves Super Rugby coming out party in Tokyo

The Lions dashed Sunwolves hopes of a fairytale start in Super Rugby with a 26-13 win Saturday, but the new Tokyo franchise emerged with credit from a pulsating game.

Much of the talk in the build-up to the season curtain-raiser was of the rather terrifying-looking Sunwolves mascot, whose werewolf-like features were trending on social media.

But the bloodbath predicted to unfold on the pitch failed to materialise as the Sunwolves frustrated the South African visitors for long periods in the Tokyo sunshine.

When captain Shota Horie squeezed over on the hour mark for the team's first-ever try in Super Rugby it triggered pandemonium among a crowd of 25,000 howling Sunwolves fans.

Samoan fly-half Tusi Pisi had converted an early penalty to settle the home side's nerves but the Lions came roaring back with tries from Robbie Coetzee and Elton Jantjies.

Looking to build on a 12-6 half-time advantage, the Lions came out all guns blazing after the break, Jaco Kriel bursting through to score after a clever pass from captain Warren Whiteley and Jantjies adding the conversion.

The Sunwolves closed the gap with Horie's try, but after Pisi was sin-binned with 15 minutes left the Lions quickly capitalised and a breakaway score from Lionel Mapoe effectively killed off the game.

"We will get better," promised Horie, one of the heroes of Japan's astonishing three World Cup victories last year, including a 34-32 shock upset over two-time champions South Africa.

"I never imagined I would play Super Rugby in Japan," added the Sunwolves hooker. "It's like a dream come true. It was nice to score our first try but I didn't do anything special. I was lucky the ball just popped up for me just before the try-line."

Sunwolves coach Mark Hammett praised his players for their effort.

"We can always handle losing if we know the players have given everything, so I'm very proud," said the former All Black, who only just made it back to Japan after flying home to New Zealand following the death of his mother last week.

"No doubt at times we had to scramble but our bravery was a real positive to work on. One thing we have to get used to as a new team is that we won't always get the rub of the green. But we have to get used to that and keep playing our game."

The South African visitors could have won by a larger margin but frequently fumbled the ball in tantalising positions under pressure from a swarming Sunwolves defence.

However, they still picked up a bonus point by scoring three tries more than the hosts.

"We can't really complain with that," said Whiteley. "But credit to the Sunwolves. They put us under real pressure and we have great respect for what they have achieved in a short period of time."
Source: AFP