Japan blitz Tonga in Osaka

A one-sided first half paved the way to a convincing 41-7 win for Japan over Tonga in the second round of the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday. Osaka’s Hanazono Stadium set an engrossing stage in the searing heat, another prelude to the upcoming Rugby World Cup now less than 50 days away.

Kotaro Matsushima earned an early trip to the bin for a deliberate knock-on but Tonga couldn’t take advantage of the overlap. Latiume Fosita’s cross-kick went too long for Afa Pakalani and Japan instead cleared their lines from the restart.

Instead it was the Brave Blossoms who would score shorthanded. Lomano Lemeki broke free on the counter-attack to earn field position and then a penalty gave Japan an attacking lineout. The driving maul was successful with Amanaki Mafi getting credit for the try.

The second try came after a long build-up that started near halfway. Wimpie van der Walt burst through a gap to make good ground, and then the lock popped up again to push the ball into scoring position. After a dozen phases Aseali Valu powered in under the attention of two defenders.

A well-placed kick from Yutaka Nagare pinned Tonga back on their line, and when Nafi Tuitavake was forced to clean up a loose lineout ball Japan were awarded a five-meter scrum. The Ikale Tahi tried to hold out but the gaps opened and Yu Tamura picked out Timothy Lafaele to score under the posts.

The halftime break was well-received by the tired bodies. While both came out refreshed, indiscipline would cost both. Tamura knocked over a three-pointer, and then Japan conceded two penalties that cost them 50 meters. When the lineout drive stalled, the Tongan forwards took it on until Leva Fifita made it over the line.

As did the first half, the final quarter belonged to Japan. Tamura landed his second penalty and then the flyhalf sent a slashing grubber that bounced up perfectly for Matsushima to regather and score.

The best was saved for last as Kenki Fukuoka somehow beat two defenders on a 40 meter finish that brought the crowd to its feet. Matsushima sprinted clear from the restart but his pass found the sideline instead of its target.

Japan’s impressive display sets up a winner-take-all finale in Suva next Saturday as the Brave Blossoms take on the Eagles with the PNC title on the line. Tonga will face Canada in a neutral-venue clash at Churchill Park in Lautoka on Friday.

 

SCORING

JAPAN 41
Tries – A. Mafi (9’), A. Valu (19’), T. Lafaele (29’), K. Matsushima (71’), K. Fukuoka (78’)
Cons – Y. Tamura 5/5 (10’, 20’, 30’, 72’, 79’)
Pens – Y. Tamura 2/2 (48’, 68’)
Yellow cards – K. Matsushima (3′)

TONGA 7
Tries – L. Fifita (56’)
Cons – T. Takulua 1/1 (57’)
Pens – T. Takulua 0/1

 

TEAMS

JAPAN
1 Keita Inagaki (17 Shogo Miura 71′), 2 Shota Horie (16 Atsushi Sakate 64′), 3 Asaeli Valu (18 Yusuke Kizu 71′), 4 Luke Thompson, 5 Wimpie van der Walt (19 Uwe Helu 55′), 6 Michael Leitch (capt.), 7 Yoshitaka Tokunaga (20 Kazuki Himeno 64′), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 9 Yutaka Nagare (21 Kaito Shigeno 57′), 10 Yu Tamura, 11 Lomano Lemeki (23 Kenki Fukuoka 71′), 12 Ryoto Nakamura (22 Rikiya Matsuda 57′), 13 Timothy Lafaele, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 15 Will Tupou

TONGA
1 Paea Fa’anunu (17 Toma Taufa HT), 2 Sefo Sakalia (16 Paul Ngauamo 55′), 3 Ma’afu Fia (18 Ben Tameifuna 48′), 4 Steve Mafi (19 Ohehunga Havili 69′), 5 Leva Fifita, 6 Dan Faleafa (20 Zane Kapeli 46′), 7 Fotu Lokotui, 8 Ma’ama Vaipulu (19 Sione Vailanu 60′), 9 Tane Takulua (22 Leon Fukofuka 64′), 10 Latiume Fosita, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 12 Cooper Vuna (23 James Faiva 69′), 13 Siale Piutau (capt.), 14 Afa Pakalani, 15 Tevita Halaifonua

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
Assistants: Luke Pearce (RFU) & Brendon Pickerill (NZRU)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZRU)