Giteau and Ashley-Cooper to go head-to-head in Japan final

Former Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau has guided his Japanese club Suntory Sungoliaths into a third successive Top League final by coolly slotting a sudden-death extra time penalty to eliminate Yamaha Jubilo.

Giteau nailed a 42-metre kick five minutes into the extra time to give the two-time defending champions a 28-25 victory at Tokyo's Prince Chichibu Stadium on Saturday.

Suntory will play Kobe Steelers, who feature resurgent Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper, in next Saturday's final.

Yamaha were penalised for a ruck infringement to give Giteau, who earlier set up two of Seiya Osaki's three tries, the opportunity to land the decisive blow.

In the other semi-final Kobe advanced to their first Top League final by beating Toyota Verblitz 31-19.

Giteau's long-time All Black adversary Dan Carter scored a try, kicked four penalties, a conversion and set up Kobe's match-sealing score for Fraser Anderson.

There'll be a handful of Aussies in the final, with Sean McMahon and Matt Lucas in the Sungoliath side and Adam Ashley-Cooper playing for Kobe.