Japan-based Wallabies star in consideration for Lions tour

Wallabies players Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi have bolstered their chances for representing Australia in this year’s British & Irish Lions Test series, thanks to their impressive double tries in the Japan Rugby League One matches over the weekend.

Koroibete made a significant impact near the try line, scoring in both halves as his team, Saitama Wild Knights, triumphed over Verblitz with a dominant 55-17 victory. Meanwhile, Kerevi added his sixth and seventh tries of the season, both scored from almost halfway during Urayasu D-Rocks’ 33-22 loss to Yokohama Eagles.

Former Wallabies player Israel Folau did not manage to score upon his return to D-Rocks for the first time since early January. In contrast, another former NRL star, Joey Manu, successfully found the try line again, despite his team suffering a considerable defeat against the Wild Knights.

Manu’s 10th try of his debut season came as he jumped over two defenders to catch a high kick from flyhalf Shinya Komura, reducing the deficit to five points. However, the momentum shifted following a yellow card issued to former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper for repeated fouls.

A red card for Verblitz back-rower Kosei Miki due to illegal head contact in the second half effectively sealed the game, allowing the home team to score five more tries in the final 20 minutes.

This victory secured the Wild Knights a place in the playoffs, marking the ninth consecutive win for former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans against his rival, ex-All Black coach Steve Hansen, since both took charge of their respective clubs in Japan.

Bernard Foley’s team, Spears Funabashi Tokyo-Bay, also secured their spot in the finals with a convincing 42-14 victory over Black Rams Tokyo, with four weeks still remaining in the regular season.

Meanwhile, another former Wallabies coach, Dave Rennie, faced a tough day as his team, the fifth-placed Kobe Steelers, suffered a shocking defeat, losing 73-28 to the defending champions Brave Lupus Tokyo. Shannon Frizell stood out, scoring two tries in just seven minutes during a match where 11 tries were scored.

In other matches, veteran former Wallabies back-rower Sean McMahon found the try line twice, contributing to Tokyo Sungoliath’s 60-31 win over Mie Heat. Elsewhere, ex-Dolphins rugby league centre Valynce Te Whare delivered an outstanding performance, scoring during the Shizuoka BlueRevs’ 38-8 victory against Sagamihara Dynaboars.