Crusaders midfield back Isaiah Punivai has replaced injured Wallaby star Samu Kerevi in Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath’s match against Kubota Spears in the Japan Rugby League tonight.
Sungoliath supervising coach Kiyonori Tanaka has made a smart move bringing in the highly regarded Punivai as cover for Kerevi.
Kerevi injured his knee playing for Australia at the Commonwealth Games Sevens and Tanaka believes the Fijian star may not be ready until the tail end of the season.
He added that powerful backrower Tevita Tatafu will be a massive player for Sungoliath after causing the All Blacks plenty of problems during October’s test in Tokyo, scoring six tries in Japan Rugby League One’s maiden season.
Tevita Li, will be on the try trail after finishing as the top try-scorer in this year’s NPC competition in New Zealand.
The Spears’ charge is led by the world’s best hooker, Springbok Malcolm Marx, Wallabies fly half Bernard Foley and All Blacks midfielder Ryan Crotty.
The match between Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath vs Kubota Spears kicks off at 6 pm at Ajinomoto Stadium.
