Wallaby winger Marika Koroibete has scored just his third try of an injury-riddled season as Saitama Wild Knights blew Yokohama Eagles away 42-15 to reclaim top spot on the Japan Rugby League One standings.
Returning after a four-game absence, the 33-year-old was one of two Australian try-scorers for the home side, with ex-Melbourne Rebels second rower Esei Haangana also touching down in the six-try-to-two victory.
It took the Wild Knights to the summit for the second time in three weeks as the competition heads into its final bye weekend of the regular season, after Steve Hansen's Verblitz stunned the previous leaders, Bernard Foley's Spears Funabashi Bay, 24-7.
Verblitz, who have won five of their past six, had been beaten 39-10 when the sides met earlier in the season.
Brisbane-schooled Sam Greene was a try-scorer as Shizuoka BlueRevs kept their finals hopes alive, coming from 19 points down to eclipse Sagamihara Dynaboars 45-41.
Mie Heat also remain in the mix for the sixth and final place in the play-offs after they upset Sean McMahon's Tokyo Sungoliath 24-17, while Brave Lupus Tokyo ended a seven-game losing streak today as they beat Samu Kerevi's Urayasu D Rocks, 40-24.
Just five points separate the teams ranked from sixth to ninth after they each won this weekend.
Kobe Steelers leap-frogged Spears Funabashi Bay on the standings following their 40-19 win over BlackRams Tokyo, with All Black backrower Ardie Savea scoring two tries.
In Division Two, Wallaby flyhalf Noah Lolosio scored 27 points including a hat-trick of tries as Shuttles Aichi beat Kamaishi Seawaves 52-27.
