Kobe Steelers coach Dave Rennie (L) and Ardie Savea.
Photo: www.photosport.nz
Incoming All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has had his return to New Zealand delayed by one more week after his Kobe Steel booked a place in the final of Japan rugby’s club competition.
Star forward Ardie Savea scored two tries as top qualifiers Kobe overwhelmed Tokyo Sungoliath 69-23 in a one-sided Japan Rugby League One semi-final.
They’ll face the winners of Sunday’s semi between the Saitama Wild Knights and Kubota Spears.
It means Rennie will arrive in New Zealand less than a month out from the All Blacks’ first test of the year, against France in Christchurch on July 4.
Likewise Savea, who many believe will be anointed New Zealand captain following incumbent Scott Barrett being ruled out of rugby for up to five months with a back injury.
Savea has been a standout performer all season for Kobe and was once again a central figure in an 11-try display.
Other New Zealanders in Kobe’s lineup are centre Anton Lienart-Brown – also a possibility for Rennie’s first All Blacks squad of the year named on June 22 – and former Test lock great Brodie Retallick.
Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane came off the bench late in the game for Sungoliath but he was shown a yellow card soon afterwards.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.