Springbok star Jesse Kriel makes try-scoring return from injury in Japan

The Eagles ran in four second-half tries without reply in a 43-19 win over the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars.

Kriel, who had been out since mid-January due to a broken thumb, made his reappearance in the 54th minute, and was a try-scorer 14 minutes later, pushing the Eagles beyond two scores into the lead, while also setting up a try-scoring bonus point.

Sagamihara went try-for-try with Yokohama in the opening period, with the second of winger Ben Paltridge's five-pointers giving his side the lead after half an hour.

A try two minutes later by Shunta Nakamura turned the tide, levelling the Japan Rugby League One game at the break, before the Yokohama hooker crossed twice more after play resumed, completing his second hat-trick of the season in the 56th minute.

The 30-year-old's treble helped overturn a 19-14 deficit, with the Eagles ahead 29-19 by the time Nakamura had completed his treble. Kriel˜s score then put the game beyond doubt.

Yokohama's 10th win of the season confirmed their semi-final place and also administered the final blow to the slim semi-final chances of Toyota Verblitz, Shizuoka Blue Revs and Kubota Spears.

Steve Hansen's Verblitz were busy making a meal of any chance they had anyway, going down 40-7 to the Saitama Wild Knights, who clinched the top position and semi-final seeding with the win.

While both sides featured several big-name internationals, it was the Wild Knights' foreign stars who made the headlines, with each of Springboks second-row Lood de Jager and Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete scoring first-half doubles as the visitors raced to a 26-7 lead, despite playing into the wind.

Elsewhere, Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath needed a penalty goal by fly-half Mikiya Takamoto four minutes from time to secure a 31-31 tie with Shizuoka Blue Revs and maintain third place - also securing their semi-final place in the process.

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