Inspired Uruguay Give Japan a Fright

Uruguay were the pick of South American teams on Saturday. An inspired Los Teros gave Japan a fright in Chambéry, France. The South American no 2 held a 20-18 lead in the second-half before ultimately falling to a 36-20 defeat against the Asia no 1.

The South Americans were strong starters. Scrum-half Santiago Álvarez made a snipe before passing around the back of a Japanese defender. Manuel Diana latched on to the pass and scored under the posts. Álvarez converted the try for a 7-0 lead after as many minutes.

Japan scored two minutes later. Following an attacking lineout, Tongan Amato Fakatava made a break. He was stopped short; however, quick recycled ball over four phases saw former captain Kazuki Himeno over for a try. Takuro Matsunaga’s conversion was no good as the ball fell off the tee during his run-up. He tried a drop-goal but failed.

On 19 minutes Japan were penalized for pushing Bautista Basso in the air. Álvarez landed the straight-forward attempt from in front to end the opening quarter scoring Los Teros holding a 10-5 lead.

Early on in the second quarter Uruguay were pinged for being in front of the kicker. Japan turned down a regulation shot at goal to kick for the corner. The lineout to maul move was stopped; yet, Japan retained possession. Recycled phases saw left winger Junta Hamano scoring down the right wing. However, it was not to be as referee Christophe Ridley and TMO Tual Trainini ruled a forward pass.

Japan remained caped deep in Uruguayan territory and came away with points. Takuro Matsunaga landed a penalty on 26 minutes. The next opportunity again saw points, this time a try. Japan punished a loose Uruguayan lineout to run 80 meters and score after three phases. Hamano had his try in the right corner.

There was time left for a third first-half Japanese try. From a five meter lineout, Japan followed Uruguay. Kanji Shimokawa shot through to score untouched. Fly half Takuro Matsunaga again made a mess out of the conversion. This time he missed a simple attempt from close to the left of the posts.

An aerial collision between scrum-halves Santiago Álvarez and Naoto Saito saw the Japanese player yellow carded. Álvarez slotted a penalty for an 18-13 half-time deficit.

Uruguay were on fire early on in the second-half. Sharp passes saw Manuel Diana making a clean line-break. Stopped fifteen meters short of the try zone, support came from Álvarez who darted through before passing inside to Lucas Bianchi who scored. Álvarez converted for a 20-18 Uruguayan lead.

Japan responded on 52 minutes. Following an advancing rolling maul, winger Jone Naikabula scored in the left corner. The Fijian’s try went unconverted.

Uruguay attacked in each of a response but Japan held them out. At the other end, Japan won an attacking penalty which Saito landed to extend the lead to six points.

Japan appeared to be in trouble with fourteen minutes left in the contest. Warner Dearns was red carded for head contact on Guillermo Pujadas. It was not to be; however, as Japan overcame the one-man disadvantage with Saito kicking two penalties.

Trailing 29-20 with three minutes remaining Uruguay won a penalty and attacked with a maul from a lineout. Fakawata pulled the ball loose from an advancing maul. Japan passed right with Australian-product Dylan Riley scoring 80 meters upfield.

Both teams now travel in different directions. Japan take-on England next Sunday in London. Uruguay face Romania in Bucharest on Saturday. Japan will be looking to extend England’s losing streak while Uruguay are in search of their first win since the World Cup.

 

SCORING vs

JAPAN (36)
TRY – K Himeno (9′); J Hamano (32′); K Shimokawa (36′); D Riley (78′)
CON – N Saito (79′)
PEN – T Matsunaga (26′); N Saito 2 (69′, 77′)
YC – N Saito (39′)
RC – W Dearns (66′)

URUGUAY (20)
TRY – M Diana (7′); L Bianchi (45′)
CON – S Álvarez (7′, 45′)
PEN – S Álvarez (19, 39′)

 

LINEUPS vs

JAPAN
1 Takato Okabe, 2 Mamoru Harada, 3 Keijiro Tamefusa, 4 Epineri Uluiviti, 5 Warner Dearns, 6 Amato Fakatava, 7 Kanji Shimokawa, 8 Kazuki Himeno, 9 Naoto Saito (capt.), 10 Takuro Matsunaga, 11 Junta Hamano, 12 Siosaia Fifita, 13 Dylan Riley, 14 Jone Naikabula, 15 Malo Tuitama

URUGUAY
1 Mateo Sanguinetti, 2 Guillermo Pujadas, 3 Diego Arbelo, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Manuel Leindekar (capt.), 6 Santiago Civetta, 7 Lucas Bianchi, 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Santiago Álvarez, 10 Ícaro Amarillo, 11 Ignacio Facciolo, 12 Juan Manuel Alonso, 13 Felipe Arcos Pérez, 14 Bautista Basso, 15 Juan González

Replacements: 16 Joaquín Myzska, 17 Mateo Perillo, 18 Ignacio Péculo, 19 Felipe Aliaga, 20 Carlos Deus, 21 Joaquín Suárez, 22 Ignacio Álvarez, 23 Gastón Mieres

 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Asistentes: Luc Ramos (France); Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)