Japan’s HITO-Communications Sunwolves took on South Africa’s Bulls on Round 5 of the 2016 Rugby Super League at the National Stadium last week.
The new Japanese franchise came exceptionally close to registering their first win since joining the expanded competition this season, scoring three spectacular tries against the three-time champions.
The amazingly well-lit pitch at the National Stadium, with all the photographers and videographers stationed at one end to capture those memorable shots...
The Bulls dominated almost every single facet of the game, had almost three times the carries, double the metres made but still struggled against a side that played with exceptional heart for the entire game.
It was quite amazing, the heights that were reached with each throw...
There were the occasional skirmish that the referee had to step in.
In one of these, the Sunwolves lost No. 8 Tomas Leonardi for a cynical foul while stopping a try...
Sunwolves' Tomas Leonardi (8) and Bulls' Warrick Gelant (15) rush to the aid of their team mates...
Bulls' Rudy Paige (9) makes a break...
At 23-10 it looked as if the Sunwolves were going to be left behind late in the second half, but they simply never gave up.
Having a pep talk as they motivate each other and plot out their next moves...
Kicking off...
Intense concentration...
It didn't seem enough with only minutes left...
Then came the support of the loyal fans,
some screaming well-meaning moves across the whole grandstand...
some screaming well-meaning moves across the whole grandstand...
A view of the scrums...
A sea of reds was visible around each tackle...
And the Sunwolves dashed for their try and succeeded!
Final score...
Moving in for the friendly handshakes...
Thank you for the truly amazing experience to watch a team play with such heart!
