Bok Viljoen stars as Sunwolves win

The eight tries to four win, in a game where defence was not always at a premium, was the Sunwolves first match since their formation.

They will start their Super Rugby campaign against the highly-rated Lions in Tokyo on February 27.

Sunwolves captain Shota Horie admitted they have plenty to work on, but added that it was important to get a hit-out to identify those areas.

"We were able to test some key areas, both in attack and defence, which enabled us to identify the aspects of our game that requires improvement," Horie said.

"We are now going into the final phase of our preparations for the opening Super Rugby match against the Lions, which is a vital period for us."

Samoa flyhalf Tusi Pisi, who like Viljoen played a crucial part in the win, also felt the game served a valuable purpose ahead of the Sunwolves' Super Rugby debut.

"It is clear there are some aspects we need to improve on," Pisi said.

"However, we showed some great skill on attack at times.

"I am really looking forward to playing with these guys in the first Japanese Super Rugby team.

"We hope to put up a good showing in the coming Super Rugby season."

It took less than a minute for the Top League XV to register their first try of the match. Suntory Sungoliath's Shota Emi cleverly intercepted a wayward pass within the opening 60 seconds and ran in for five points, with the conversion successful.

Centre Yasutaka Sasakura, who had been in terrific form during the Top League campaign with Top League champions Wild Knights, replied for the Sunwolves a few minutes later in the corner – to notch the franchise's first ever points. Pisi was wayward with the conversion attempt.

Pisi's Crossfield kick was well collected by fullback Riaan Viljoen and the Springbok recorded his first try in the sunset orange of Sunwolves.

Pisi added the extras, before Viljoen added a second try minutes later, converted again, to make the score 19-7 to the Super Rugby team.

Pisi was pulling the strings for Sunwolves, linking up well with fellow Suntory man and scrumhalf Atsushi Hiwasa. The Samoan ran in a fine solo effort 10 minutes before the interval and added the two points himself to ensure Sunwolves were 26-10 to the good at half-time, following a late penalty by the Top League XV.

Widespread changes took place for both sides in the second half, meant it was difficult for either side to grasp control of the game.

Yu Tamura replaced Pisi at the break, after the Samoan had put down a big marker in the race for No.10 shirt – when the Sunwolves start their campaign against the Lions in a fortnight's time.

Australian Ed Quirk, one of the few Sunwolves players to retain his place in the second half, added another five points to the Japanese franchise's growing points tally – following a driving maul. Replacement Tamura added the extras.

Another replacement, Akihito Yamada, who only this week returned from Sevens duty with Japan in Sydney, touched down in the corner on the 55-minute mark to hand Sunwolves a 30-point lead.

Taiyo Ando replied soon after for the Top League XV to reduce the deficit.

Prop Koki Yamamoto and Yamada, his second, both added further late tries in the second half, but the Sunwolves' defences were breached far too often for Super Rugby level.

Yamaha Jubilo's Chikara Ito added a consolation try for Top League XV to bring the final score to 52-24.

For the Sunwolves:

Tries: Sasakura, Viljoen 2, Pisi , Quirk, Yamada 2, Yamamoto

Cons: Pisi 3, Tamura 2, Yamanaka

For the Top League XV:

Tries: Emi, Ando, Ito

Cons: Matsushita, Ogawa, Onishi

Pen: Matsushita

Teams:

Sources: @sunwolves & @JapanRugbyClub