Lima Sopoaga, a former All Black and current Samoan international flyhalf, has put on a man-of-the-match performance in Japan’s division two league.
The Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks defeated the Kyushudenryoku Kyuden Voltex 41-33 thanks to the 33-year-old’s excellent play.
Sopoaga contributed to the Blue Sharks’ opening three tries by assisting his South African fullback Coenraad Van Wyk with a dink chip kick and two direct backhand flick passes.
Then, just before halftime, he assisted on his third try with a long cutout ball to winger Naoki Moriya. Inside centre Soichiro Kuwata regathered his grubber kick, which foretold a fourth goal, but the midfielder offloaded just in time for his halfback Tatsuya Kanetsuki to score.
Van Wyk’s long penalty goal sealed the victory, giving the Blue Sharks an eight-point lead with just minutes left in the game.
The Red Hurricanes Osaka are the other flawless team in division two, and the Blue Sharks are one of just two teams who haven’t lost after two rounds.
In the first week, Sopoaga’s team defeated the Hino Red Dolphins, a former division one team, 25–24.
After playing for Wasps in the Premiership and Lyon in France, the former All Black is in his second season in Japan.
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