Defending champion Kobe Steel was held to a 27-27 draw by Suntory as the two teams shared the Japan Rugby Union Championship title Sunday. The draw also gave Kobe its second major title of the season, following last month's National Company Championship victory.
The rematch of the National Company Championship semifinals -- which Kobe won 41-38 -- turned into another thriller before a crowd of 28,000 at Tokyo's National Stadium. Tied 27-27 during second-half injury time, Suntory kicker Yoji Nagatomo's penalty goal attempt from 40 meters fell short, causing disappointment among Suntory fans and relief among Kobe's supporters. "It was a good game, tougher than the last one we played," Kobe captain Teurnori Masuho said. "If there had been more time left, that might have cost us the game." After trailing 12-0, Suntory attacked tenaciously, scoring two tries from winger Junichi Hojo and one from winger Shigeki Fukuda for a 19-12 halftime lead.
But nine-time Japan champion Kobe recovered after the break and took a 20-19 lead with fly-half Andrew Miller's penalty goal and fullback Osami Yatsuhashi's try.