Folau scores hat-trick of tries in Japan

Ex-Wallaby Israel Folau scored three tries to help Urasayu D-Rocks to a 68-17 thrashing of Shimizu Kotu Blue Sharks in Japan club rugby second division.

ISRAEL FOLAU of the Wallabies.
ISRAEL FOLAU of the Wallabies. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Former Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has scored a quick-fire hat-trick of tries in the second round of Japanese club rugby.

In his second season in Japan, 73-Test veteran Folau bagged his three tries in the space of 11 minutes before being substituted midway through the second half.

His Urasayu D-Rocks team continued their unbeaten season start in second division with a 68-17 thrashing of Shimizu Kotu Blue Sharks.

,A successor to Folau as Wallabies fullback, Tom Banks scored his first try in Japanese club rugby as his MIE Honda demolished Kamaishi Seawaves 75-15 in another second division match.

In the top division, ex-Wallabies coach Robbie Deans's Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights were hard pressed but extended one of the most remarkable streaks in professional rugby.

A 79th minute converted try enabled them to beat Shizuoka Blue Revs 15-14, notching their 34th straight win in a streak dating back to the 2019 playoffs.

Two missed conversions in the last five minutes by Wallabies five eighth Bernard Foley proved costly as his Kubota Spears Tokyo drew 27-27 with Yokohama Canon Eagles.

Although he succeeded with four penalty goal attempts, Foley was unable to convert any of Kubota's three tries.