Suntory was crowned national rugby champion of Japan after winning the Japan Championship at Chichibunomiya on Sunday. In a pulsating game that had the sold-out of 25,000 on their feet, the Suntory Sungoliath defeated Kobe Steel 28-17 in a game that was truly worthy of a final.
Andy Friend, assistant coach with Suntory, commented: "It was a classic final. Both sides were nervous at the start but then settled down. I thought we played much better in the second half when we had more go forward, but credit to Kobe. They showed what a great team they are."
The last time the Steelers were in Tokyo they had held their team meeting in a hotel chapel ("I have been around quite a bit in the rugby world, but that is a first for me," said former All Black Blair Larsen) and the Kobe team must have thought their prayers had been answered when they arrived at a wet, cold Chichibunomiya.