Ex-Wallabies boss Dave Rennie has continued his dominance of former All Black rivals Steve Hansen and Ian Foster, after the Kobe Steelers outclassed Verblitz 49-29 in Japan Rugby League One.
Saturday's match was the third meeting in Japan between the men, who had crossed paths in the Bledisloe Cup, and the third time the former Australia coach had prevailed.
Ironically, much of the damage was done by a trio of All Blacks previously coached by the Verblitz mentors, with Ardie Savea scoring twice, while Test teammates Brodie Retallick and Anton Lienert-Brown also found their way to the try-line.
Despite two tries in the final moments, the score flattered Verblitz, who had trailed 49-17 in the 79th minute.
Former Wallaby Bernard Foley also had a great day with Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, who ran up a remarkable 79-20 scoreline against Tokyo Sungoliath in what had been a top-of-the-table clash.
The 36-year-old scored a try among his 29-point haul, and kicked 11 goals from 14 attempts, as the Spears ran riot with 11 tries.
The massive win has the Spears second on the standings ahead of the New Year's holiday break, with Saitama Wild Knights the only other side unbeaten after their 33-3 win over Sagamihara Dynaboars on Sunday.
Israel Folau and Samu Kerevi's Urayasu D-Rocks are sixth after causing the upset of the weekend by beating last year's playoff qualifiers Shizuoka Blue Revs, 34-21.
It was D-Rocks' second win in three matches under their new coach, Englishman Graham Rowntree, after they won just three times in the whole of the last regular season.
BlackRams and Brave Lupus were the other victors over the weekend, at the expense of Mie Heat and Yokohama Eagles respectively.
