All Blacks legend Beauden Barrett is one of the hosts of top-level international superstars currently plying their trade in Japanese rugby’s Top League.
The test centurion is currently playing alongside long-time All Black halfback partner Aaron Smith and Springbok superstar Pieter-Steph Du Toit for Toyota Verblitz.
Consisting of three leagues, Japanese club rugby has become one of the hottest destinations for global stars to play, given the exceptional quality of life and significant salaries on offer.
Based in Tokyo, Verblitz currently sits in third place in the top league’s conference B behind the Canon Eagles and the undefeated Wild Knights.
We are Facing Conference A’s second-place team and their cross-town rivals, the Tokyo Sungoliath, whose squad includes All Blacks captain Sam Cane, Argentina’s Nicholas Sanchez, and Springbok superstar Cheslin Kolbe.
Playing out a remarkably tight clash, Sungoliath looked on course for a win before conceding a late penalty just inside their half.
Lining up a shot at goal, Barrett steadied himself to snatch what many had felt would have been an unlikely victory before the round started.
What followed was a true piece of rugby drama as the ball ricochet off the upright before landing in the hands of a grateful Verblitz player to seal the win!
Shuhei Yamaguchi try vs Suntory Sungoliath
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