Brisbane 10s: Wild Knights ride high
The Wild Knights held a 12-point lead heading into the final minutes and had to fend off a spirited Rebels comeback to claim the victory.
Three tries in the final six minutes helped the Hurricanes fight their way to victory after finding themselves trailing 0-12 against the Force. The Waratahs and the Chiefs played out to an exciting topsy-turvy encounter that saw the Chiefs score two late tries to claim a come-from-behind victory.
The Brumbies bagged their first victory of the competition when they kept Toulon scoreless in a 10-0 win.
Rebels 12-17 Wild Knights
The Rebels grabbed the early lead when Jonah Placid ran onto a pin-point cross-kick to hand his side a 5-0 lead in the second minute. They proved for a second try but some good Wild Knights defence kept them at bay.
The Knights got their hands on the ball and began to turn the pressure on their opponents. From a five-metre scrum close to the Rebels' try-line, Ryu Koliniasi Holani got the ball and crashed over to level matters at 5-5 in the sixth minute.
The Rebels seemed to be getting themselves back into the lead but coughed up possession inside the Knights' 22. The Knights grabbed the lead for the first time after the half-time siren sounded when Yoshikazu Fujita ran onto a clearance kick for a spectacular try; 10-5 to the Wild Knights at the break.
The Rebels though they back in the contest in the 12th minute after a Laurie Weeks break but his pass is knocked on over the try-line. They were made to rue that miss as Jack Cornelsen stretched the Wild Knights' lead to 17-5 in the 13th minute.
Ben Meehan got the Australian side back into it a minute later when he scored between the uprights. The successfully converted try reduced the deficit to 17-12.
The momentum was with the Rebels and they had a numerical advantage in the 16th minute when the Wild Knights were reduced to nine men. The Rebels failed to make the most of their advantage and the Wild Nights were able to close out the match to claim a second victory.
Force 12-19 Hurricanes
The Hurricanes thought they took the lead in the second minute but a TMO review found them to have stepped into touch in the lead-up to the dot down. It was all the Hurricanes in the opening minutes but they failed to turn the dominance into points on the board.
The found themselves trailing in the seventh minute when Kane Koteka crashed over to hand his side a 5-0 lead. The Hurricanes then came back into it as they searched for a try before the end of the half but some brilliant Force defence kept them at bay.
The Force stretched their lead in the 13th minute when Curtis Rona scored on his debut. The conversion ensured a 12-0 lead. But then came the Hurricanes' onslaught.
First, Matt Proctor got his side on the board in the 14th minute with a converted try before Joe Apikotoa took three defenders with him over the try-line to bring his side level at 12-12 in the 17th minute.
Cory Jane grabbed the match-winning try in the 19th minute when he intercepted a pass and raced away. Jordie Barrett slotted the conversion to secure the seven-point victory.
Chiefs 26-14 Waratahs
Dwayne Sweeney opened the scoring in the second minute when he bumped off the final defender. The conversion ensured the Chiefs a 7-0 lead.
The Waratahs hit back in the sixth minute when Hugh Roach pushed his way over the line. The extras were added to level matters at 7-7 but the Chiefs regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Lachlan Boshier blitzed his way down the wing to ensure a 12-7 lead.
The Waratahs took the lead for the second time in the match when Harry Jones chipped and chased his way to score under the uprights. Another successful conversion ensured the 14-12 lead after 12 minutes.
The Chiefs then closed out the match in spectacular fashion when they hit back with two late scores. Samisoni Tauke'iaho's 16th minute try handed the Chiefs a 19-14 lead before Liam Messam secured the victory in the final minute to seal the victory.
Brumbies 10-0 Toulon
Toulon got off to a fast start but failed to turn that into points. They managed to cross the try-line in the sixth minute but were held up by some determined Brumbies defence.
Japan international Ayumu Goromaru then worked his way over the Brumbies' try line but he lost possession of the ball. The French side were made to rue those misses when the home side grabbed the lead after the half-time hooter. Blake Enever's try handing the Brumbies a 5-0 half-time advantage.
The Brumbies garbed their second try early in the second half when James Dargaville crossed the try-line untouched after a nifty backline move to extend the home side's lead to 10-0 after 12 minutes.
Toulon came back fighting but the Brumbies' defence held firm to keep them out. The Brumbies were under severe pressure in the final minutes but continued to hold firm to claim the victory.
POOLS:
POOL A: Chiefs, Rebels, Waratahs, Wild Knights
POOL B: Blues, Crusaders, Reds, Samoa
POOL C: Bulls, Brumbies, Highlanders
POOL D: Hurricanes, Toulon, Force
All 14 squads:
BRUMBIES: Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Tomas Cubelli, Tom Banks, Scott Sio, Nic Jooste, Joe Powell, Andrew Smith, Lausii Taliauli, Aidan Toua, Jordan Jackson-Hope, Robbie Abel, Allan Alaalatoa, Chris Alcock, Jarrad Butler, Tom Staniforth, Blake Enever, Saia Fainga'a, Lolo Fakaosilea, Ben Hyne, Les Leulua'iali'i-Makin, Nic Mayhew, Jordan Smiler, Stephen Larkham (wildcard), Andrew Walker (wildcard)
WARATAHS: Israel Folau, Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Paddy Ryan, Hugh Roach, Damien Fitzpatrick, Ned Hanigan, Ryan McCauley, Michael Wells, Rory O'Connor, Pat McCutcheon, Brad Wilkin, Jamason Schultz, Matt Lucas, Jake Gordon, Mack Mason, Bryce Hegarty, David Horwitz, Andrew Deegan, Con Foley, Andrew Kellaway, Cam Clark, Harry Jones, Reece Robinson, Lote Tuqiri (wildcard)
REDS: James Tuttle, Moses Sorovi, Jake McIntyre, Duncan Paia'aua, Henry Taefu, Samu Kerevi, Eto Nabuli, Lachlan Maranta, Chris Kuridrani, Brad Lacey, Karmichael Hunt, Jayden Ngamanu, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Sef Fa'agase, Sam Talakai, Alex Mafi, Andrew Ready, Rob Simmons, Cadeym Neville, Lukhan Tui, Izack Rodda, Michael Gunn, Adam Korcyk, Leroy Houston, Chris Latham (wildcard)
REBELS: Cruze Ah-Nau, Steve Cummins, Jack Debreczeni, Murray Douglas, Tom English, Colby Fainga'a, Jackson Garden-Bachop, James Hanson, Reece Hodge, Mitch Inman, Marika Koroibete, Pat Leafa, Tyrel Lomax, Jack Maddocks, Amanaki Mafi, Ben Meehan, Sefa Naivalu, Jordy Reid, Culum Retallick, Toby Smith, Nic Stirzaker, Lopeti Timani, Sione Tuipulotu, Ben Volavola, Laurie Weeks, Morgan Turinui (wildcard)
FORCE: Curtis Rona, Luke Morahan, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Hodgson, Richard Arnold, Marcel Brache, Robbie Coleman, Mees Erasmus, Peter Grant, Richard Hardwick, Ross Haylett-Petty, Onehunga Kaufusi, Kane Koteka, Ryan Louwrens, Semisi Masiwera, Isireli Naisarani, Alex Newsome, Chance Ataera, Matthew Philip, Ian Prior, Anaru Rangi, Michael Ruru, Brynard Stander, Heath Tessmann, James Verity-Amm, Shambeckler Vui
BLUES: Josh Goodhue, Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, Tom Robinson, Sam Prattley, Kara Pryor, Marcel Renata, Brandon Nansen, Joe Royal, Scott Scrafton, Murphy Taramai, Ambrose Curtis, Matt Duffie, Pasqualle Dunn, Billy Guyton, George Moala, Sam Nock, Declan O'Donnell, Stephen Perofeta, Rene Ranger, Jordan Trainor, Matt Vaega
CRUSADERS: Tim Perry, Mike Alaalatoa, Oliver Jager, Quinten Strange, Chiris Gawler, Mitchell Dunshea, Peter Samu, Jed Brown, Leon Fukofuka, Marty McKenzie, Bryn Hall, Tim Bateman, David Havilli, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Andrew Makalio, Seta Tamanivalu, Ben Funnell, Whetu Douglas, Mitchell Hunt, Digby Ioane, Sione Fifita, Manasa Mataele, Sean Wainui, Jordan Taufua
HIGHLANDERS: Aki Seiuli, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Liam Coltman, Josh Dickson, Tom Franklin, Jackson Hemopo, James Lentjes, Craig Millar, Dillon Hunt, Gareth Evans, Luke Whitelock, Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Fletcher Smith, Tei Walden, Rob Thompson, Jason Emery, Tevita Li, Matt Faddes, Sio Tomkinson, Marty Banks
CHIEFS: Liam Messam, Hikawera Elliott, Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Liam Polwart, Atu Moli, Sam Caird, Findlamor Hoeata, Brad Weber, Joseva Ravouvou, Findlay Christie, Tim Nanai-Williams, Sheldon Tovio, Sevu Reece, Jonathan Taumateine, Shaun Stevenson, Solomon Alaimalo, Alex Nankivell, Dwayne Sweeney, Sosefo Kautai, Taleni Seu, Mitchell Brown, Luteru Laulala, Latu Vaeno, Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Graham
HURRICANES: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Reg Goodes, Loni Uhila, Ricky Riccitelli, Asafo Aumua, Chris Eves, Mike Kainga, Joe Apikotoa, Vaea Fifita, Mark Abbott, James Blackwell, Brad Shields, Reed Prinsep, Toa Halafihi, Hugh Renton, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Kemera Hauiti-Parapara, Otere Black, Vince Aso, Matt Proctor, Wes Goosen, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Ngani Laumape, Jonah Lowe, Jordie Barrett
TOULON: Drew Mitchell, James O'Connor, Alesana Tuilagi, Josua Tuisova, Ayumu Goromaru, Axel Muller, Jimmy Yobo, Anthony Belleau, Geoffrey Cazanave, Teiva Jacquelain, Swan Rebbadj, Emerick Setiano, Bastien Soury, Thomas Vernet, George Stokes, Aidon Davis, Gregory Annetta, Rudy Gahetau
WILD KNIGHTS: Asaeli Ai Valu, Atsushi Sakate, Naoki Kawamata, Kotaro Yatabe, Daniel Heenan, Masaki Tani, Ryota Hasegawa, Yoichi Iijima, Yuta Takagi, Taiki Koyama, Ben Gunter, Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Jack Cornelsen, Emerson Tamura, Takuya Yamasawa, Berrick Barnes, Rikiya Matsuda, Akihito Yamada, Yasuki Hayashi, Yuga Hyakutake, Keisuke Moriya, Tomoki Kitagawa, Iori Kaji, Yoshikazu Fujita, Kentaro Kodama, Tadahiro Miwa
BULLS: Francolis Brummer, Dries Swanepoel, Tian Schoeman, Cornelius Els, Edgar Marutlulle, Renaldo Bothma, Ruben Van Heerden, Ruan Steenkamp, Rudy Paige, Shaun Adendorff, Travis Ismaiel, Jacques Potgieter, Hanro Liebenberg, Ivan Van Zyl, Conrad Van Vuuren, Jade Stighling, Jamba Ulengo, John Kotze, JT Jackson, John-Roy Jenkinson, Lizo Gqoboka, Luther Obi, Burger Odendaal, Nicholas De Jager, Piet Van Zyl, Warrick Gelant
SAMOA: Census Johnston, Tietie Tuimauga, Ausetalia Vaiomanu, Jarred Adams, Bronson Fotualii Tauakipulu, Ripine Fualau, Oneone Faafou, Faalemiga Selesele, Mikaele Tapili, Liahona Vaegaau, Jeff Lepa, Greg Foe, Lucky Schuster Palamo, Danny Tusitala, Dangelo Leuila, Patrick Faapale, Opetera Peleseuma, Faafou Amate, Meki Magele, Tila Mealoi, Johnny Samuelu, Faletoa Moli, Samoa Toloa