Kobe Steelers run in 11 tries to dismantle Tokyo Sungoliath and reach the final

Dave Rennie’s Kobe Kobelco Steelers swept past Tokyo Sungoliath in their semi-final, scoring 11 tries in a dominant, high-tempo display to advance to the final. Kobe led 24-16 at half-time after controlling 66 per cent of possession and executed in all but three of their 22-metre zone entries across the match.

The Steelers were sharp from the outset. A Brodie Retallick tip pass released Gerard Cowley-Tuioti into space on the first meaningful break, and although Anton Lienert-Brown was held up over the line, Kobe did not have to wait long. From a lineout on halfway, Ardie Savea was used as a battering ram on the first phase before the ball was moved wide, and Shunsuke Uenobou’s chip kick allowed Kazuma Ueda to chase and score.

Cheslin Kolbe kept Tokyo in contention during the opening quarter with his boot, converting two penalties — one after a breakdown infringement, another following a high tackle — to keep the scoreline close. Tokyo also benefited when Kotaro Matsushima was handed a yellow card in the 19th minute for playing the halfback, but Kobe immediately struck again, Inoke Burua’s clever offload sending Uenobou over in the corner.

Tokyo showed moments of threat. A well-struck 50/22 from Taiga Ozaki gave them a platform, and George Hammond provided the finishing power to score from a rolling maul. But Kobe’s ability to win ball at the breakdown — Savea was a constant menace in that area — repeatedly handed Rennie’s side fresh attacking opportunities. Waisake Raratubua added another try after a sustained phase-play sequence, and Savea himself drove over before half-time after Kolbe’s knock-on inadvertently gifted Kobe a five-metre lineout.

The second half continued in the same vein. Uenobou delivered a perfectly delayed pass to put Ueda through a half-gap for the opening score after the restart, with Kobe’s backline continuing to find space at pace.

The Steelers will discover their final opponents once the second semi-final between the Saitama Wild Knights and Kubota Spears is decided on Sunday.