EXCLUSIVE – Dylan Riley out for 12 weeks after surgery

Saitama Wild Knights centre Dylan Riley will be out of action for at least 12 weeks after undergoing surgery for a fractured finger.

Japan ace Riley, 28, sustained the injury in the 33-3 win against Mitsubishi Dynaboars on 28 December, leaving the field seven minutes into the second half.

The former Australia u20s international, who was rested for season-opening demolition of champions Toshiba in round one, has undergone surgery on his little finger which involved inserting k-wires to help repair the fracture.

Unbeaten Saitama will be without their world-class midfielder, whose a leading player for club and country, for key fixtures such as the away trip to Ardie Savea’s Kobe Steelers on 21 February and the away trip to Malcolm Marx’s undefeated Kubota Spears on 14 March. 

Riley in action against Urayasu in round two

Atsushi Kanazawa’s side have made a blistering start to the new campaign and sit top of the 12-team first division heading into their round four fixture against Shizuoka Blue Revs today.

Former Hurricanes centre Vince Aso, who now qualifies for Japan based on residency grounds, takes over from his round two midfield partner Riley at outside-centre with Springboks great Damian de Allende returning alongside him for his first appearance of the new season.

Japan international Tomoki Osada and newcomer Takaya Saito, who played at fly-half in the last round, can both cover multiple positions but are centres by trade.

With four recognised centres left to pick from the inaugural League One winners might consider playing former Wallabies wing Marika Koroibete at outside-centre. The former NRL star played there once before for Saitama in 2022.

Another option could be to fast-track 19-year-old outside-centre Tristan Joubert into the first-team picture. Highly-regarded South African teenager Joubert and his twin brother Jayden (lock) arrived in the summer and are expected to feature in reserve games this year and therefore are yet to be registered to play in League One games.

Saitama travel to Jesse Kriel’s winless Yokohama Canon Eagles next week before hosting Suntory Sungoliath in their final assignment this month.

Stay tuned to RugbyJP.com for the latest news on leaders Saitama Wild Knights