Malcolm Marx celebrated, while fellow Boks Damian de Allende and Lood de Jager were devastated as Kubota Spears beat the Wild Knights in Saturday’s Japanese league final.
Marx, with former Stormers and Sharks lock Ruan Botha, claimed winner’s medals, as Bernard Foley guided Kubota to a first Japan Rugby League One title with a clinical display in a 17-15 win at Tokyo’s National Stadium.
Foley’s composed kicking game, which included 12 points, proved crucial in securing the historic triumph for Kubota.
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De Allende and De Jager showcased their skills but couldn’t prevent the Knights from relinquishing their grip on the championship.
Marx, De Allende, and De Jager will now shift their focus to the world champion Springboks and a truncated Rugby Championship in July, and thre warm-up Tests against Argentina, Wales and the All Blacks, before the World Cup kicks off in September.
スタッフや控え選手も含めた、みんなで掴み取った優勝?@Kubota_Spears#NTTリーグワンプレーオフ#リーグワン決勝 pic.twitter.com/JWzCzFrjI1
— JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE|リーグワン? (@LeagueOne_JP) May 20, 2023
Photo: Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images