The start of the new Japanese rugby season will provide more than just excitement for the Wallabies hierarchy as the countdown to the British and Irish Lions tour begins.
Overlooked on Australia’s ‘Grand Slam’ tour and in need of a big campaign with the Saitama Wild Knights, Marika Koroibete headlines the Australian list as they prepare for Japan Rugby League 1, which begins on Saturday.
Koroibete, 32, who is coached by Saitama by Robbie Deans, the last player to lead the Wallabies to a Lions series, took some time to warm up in the previous campaign.
It wasn’t until Koroibete’s sixth out that he crossed the goal line. It was the first of eight attempts, taking him to 19 tries in 47 appearances since moving to Japan.
Deans and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt are hoping for even bigger achievements as last season’s finalists look to go one better after suffering a dramatic 24-20 loss to Brave Lupus Tokyo in the championship game.
Toyota’s new full-back Joseph Manu has been registered as a Category B player.
B is for players with no Federation country restrictions and the potential to qualify for JPN in the future. No more than three Category C (unlimited players) may be named in the matchday squad.#rugbyjp pic.twitter.com/PkQ9uGKDgD
— 🇯🇵 RugbyJP.com (@rugbyjpcom) December 6, 2024
Schmidt will also be keeping a close eye on Samu Kerevi, who was sent off during Australia’s recent match against Wales in Cardiff.
The 50-cap midfielder, who could gain valuable experience in the cauldron of the Lions series, will be keen to put that disappointment behind him as he settles in for Division One newcomers Urayasu D-Rocks.
This season will also mark the rugby union debut of former Roosters center Joseph Manu, who won two NRL premierships.
Manu’s next steps after signing a two-year Japanese contract are unclear, but he has shown promise in pre-season for Toyota Verblitz, managed by Steve Hansen.
With an Anzac About form in Japan.
Scott Robertson will be watching Richie Mo’unga closely and the All Blacks coach is keen to renew his successful partnership with the Crusaders after the No.10 guided the Brave Lupus to their first title since 2010 on his debut last season.
Dave Rennie’s Kobe Steelers and Hansen’s Verblitz should be contenders after missing the playoffs last season. Rennie’s team would have made the playoffs had the new six-team finals series been played.
Former Queensland number two player Harry Hockings, who is close to qualifying for Japan, will be a key figure for the Tokyo Sungoliath who have former Wallaby Sean McMahon back after injury.
As the appeal of Japanese rugby grows, around 11 past or present Springboks will also feature this season, including eight of this year’s Rugby Championship winners.
Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane and TJ Perenara lead a large All Black brigade.
The expanding Japanese competition now features 26 teams after the addition of three new clubs, a far cry from other leagues, including Super Rugby, which recently disbanded teams due to financial pressures.
