The Suntory juggernaut kept on rolling on Sunday at Toyko's Chichibunomiya Stadium with a 52-24 win over Ricoh in the semifinal of the All Japan Championship. The Goliath, which is now unbeaten against Japanese opposition since January 2001, will face NEC in the final, following its surprise 29-5 victory over Toshiba Fuchu in the day's other semifinal at Hanazono Stadium in Osaka.
On a bitterly cold and wet day, Suntory was still able to show off some of the running rugby that has made it the top team in Japan with seven of its eight tries scored by its backs, with Takashi Yoshida, in particular catching the eye with a hat trick. Fellow wing, Hirotoki Onozawa claimed two, while Hiroaki Ito, who also slotted over six conversions, Alfie Uluinayau and lock Takahiro Hiyano also got on the scoresheet.
But as Wallaby coach Eddie Jones admitted, Suntory will need to step up a gear before next week's final at National Stadium.