Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
15 April, 2026, 8:42 am
Central - 27°C Clouds
15 April, 2026, 8:42 am Central - 27°C Clouds

Ex-All Blacks fullback scores double in rampant 59-point victory

Ex-All Blacks fullback scores double in rampant 59-point victory

By Alipate Narawa
03/01/2026
Photo Rugbypass.com
At a time when he would normally be getting ready for another Super Rugby Pacific campaign for the Chiefs, one-Test All Black fullback Shaun Stevenson is performing at a high level in Japan, scoring a double in his most recent match for the Kubota Spears.

The round three Japan Rugby League One matchup was a one sided affair, with Stevenson’s Kubota Spears smashing Tokyo Sungoliath, 79-20, at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.

Stevenson had a part to play in numerous Spears tries, including scoring his own first-half double down the left-hand touchline.

For Sungoliath, they were kept rather quiet throughout the 80 minutes away from home, and were left with one try to Isaiah Punivai, as well as a couple of Cheslin Kolbe penalties and a penalty try.

The 29-year-old’s first try of the afternoon was on the back of some great carries down the middle of the pitch, before the Spears shifted it to the left towards Stevenson, who managed to brush off a couple of last-ditch tackles and power over the line.

The former Chiefs fullback’s second try was much of the same, but this time it was his right foot step that saw him beat the first defender on the edge, before scoring in an almost identical spot on the field.

Shinobu Fujiwara saw the space on the left side of the scrum, firing a quick pass to Stevenson, before the playmaker did the rest.

The Spears fullback wasn’t finished just yet, playing a huge part in a try on the stroke of halftime.

The halftime hooter had already sounded, but Stevenson wasn’t content with just kicking it out and sending the teams into the sheds, starting a counter-attack from his own half.

Stevenson saw the space in and around the Sungoliath breakdown, stepping off his left foot and taking the opportunity to break the line.

The fullback beat a couple of defenders before throwing a basketball-type pass to Bernard Foley, who quickly shifted it on to Rikus Pretorius, who found his way to the line.

Stevenson and the Kubota Spears currently sit second on the Japan Rugby League One table, and will travel to the Mie Honda Heat on Sunday, January 11, for their round four matchup.

Kolbe’s Tokyo Sungoliath side has the tough job of hosting Ardie Savea, Brodie Retallick, and Anton Lienert-Brown’s Kobelco Kobe Steelers next Saturday.

Source: rugbypass
FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Overcoming challenges Sakib becomes first in family to earn top USP honour
23-year-old Bushra Shaheenaz Sakib has made history for her family, emerging as one of USP’s top graduates and the first in her family to graduate w...
17 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Overcoming challenges Sakib becomes first in family to earn top USP honour
23-year-old Bushra Shaheenaz Sakib has made history for her family, emerging as one of USP’s top graduates and the first in her family to graduate ...
17 minutes ago

Forget Me Not docu-series launched to break silence on men's mental health
A six-part docu-series titled Forget Me Not has been launched, featuring deeply personal stories of six men, aiming to give men a voice, break the ...
10 hours ago

King Tupou VI arrives to attend Ratu Epeli Nailatikau’s funeral
King Tupou VI of the Kingdom of Tonga has arrived in the country to attend the funeral of the late former President, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, later ...
11 hours ago

Man in custody in relation to recent attempted breach at RFMF facility
A man is in custody in relation to the recent attempted breach at one of the facilities of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.When asked by ...
15 hours ago

Zoe Moore allegedly handed over meth to police before search
A police officer who was expected to search Zoe Maharaj Moore’s house for drugs has told the Suva Magistrates Court that when they arrived, Moore ...
16 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
TC Vaianu Coverage
The National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is urging the public to remain alert, prepared, and watch out for one another as Tropical Cyclone ...
6 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
6 days ago

Fuel situation in Fiji based on the global crisis
Opposition MP, Vijay Nath has questioned by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission waited until 7:35pm last night to drop the bomb on the ...
6 days ago

TOP