Clinical Japan stun Fiji in Kamaishi

Fiji’s hopes to retain their Pacific Nations Cup title were dealt a potentially fatal blow as they were well beaten by a clinical Japan side by 34-21 in Kamaishi. The newly-constructed Unosumai Stadium proved a wonderful venue with a passionate crowd treated to an entertaining match in a preview of the upcoming World Cup.

Discipline and accuracy contributed to Fiji’s defeat. Yu Tamura punished an early penalty and on advantage, the flyhalf put in a risky chip-kick behind the Fijian line that landed perfectly for Kenki Fukuoka to score the first try in the corner.

A response came with a classic Fijian try. Semi Kunatani, who enjoyed a storming match, sprinted clear from his side of halfway. His offload to Frank Lomani was returned off the deck, and Kunatani again freed his arms in the tackle to send Levani Botia in for the score. Ben Volavola’s conversion sailed through the uprights to make it a one-point game.

Japan fired back with two tries in rapid succession. Kotaro Matsushima came in off his wing to take a short pass from Tamura on a scissor move in under the posts. A creative lineout ball just inside halfway went long to Matsushima that sparked a flowing attacking move that ended with the winger passing to Timothy Lafaele in support for a cracking team try.

Filipo Nakosi’s lazy high tackle earned him a seat in the sin-bin and Japan capitalised immediately with Kazuki Himeno muscling over from the back of a lineout drive. Tamura’s conversion made it 29-7 with Fiji looking deflated. They would claw one score back before halftime through hooker Sam Matavesi through their own lineout drive. It came shortly after Japan lost captain Lappies Labuschagne to a knee injury that may threaten further participation in the PNC though we was able to walk off unaided.

Himeno looked to have scored another try on a scintillating attacking move just after the restart, but the replay revealed a knock-on as Amanaki Mafi was tackled in the build-up. Japan would score the next try anyway as Matsushima showed his footballing skills with two kicks ahead after reckless handling in the Fijian backline left the ball on the ground.

The handling woes continued for Fiji and they failed to take advantage of several opportunities. Waisea Nayacalevu knocked-on over the line after picking up a loose ball on the deck. A try would come on the hour mark as Matavesi got a second on another successful lineout drive but time would run out with no further points scored in the final quarter.

Next for Japan is a home match against Tonga in Osaka on Saturday. Fiji return home for the last two rounds of the competition as they welcome Canada to Suva.

 

SCORING

JAPAN 34
Tries – K. Fukuoka (7’), K. Matsushima 2 (19’, 55’), T. Lafaele (22’), K. Himeno (31’)
Cons – Y. Tamura 3/5 (20’, 23’, 32’)
Pens – Y. Tamura 1/1 (3’)

FIJI 21
Tries – L. Botia (12’), S. Matavesi 2 (39’, 60’)
Cons – B. Volavola 3/3 (13’, 40’, 61’)
Yellow card – F. Nakosi (30’)

 

TEAMS

JAPAN
1 Keita Inagaki (17 Shogo Miura 71’), 2 Shota Horie (16 Atsushi Sakate 62’), 3 Asaeli Valu (18 Yusuke Kizu 62’), 4 James Moore, 5 Luke Thompson, 6 Kazuki Himeno, 7 Lappies Labuschagne (capt.) (20 Michael Leitch 34’), 8 Amanaki Mafi (19 Wimpie van der Walt 60’), 9 Kaito Shigeno (21 Yutaka Nagare 57’), 10 Yu Tamura, 11 Kenki Fukuoka (23 Lomano Lemeki 60’), 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 15 Will Tupou (22 Rikiya Matsuda 68’)

FIJI
1 Eroni Mawi (17 Peni Ravai 48’), 2 Sam Matavesi (16 Mesulame Dolokoto 62’), 3 Manasa Saulo (18 Lee-Roy Atalifo 47’), 4 Albert Tuisue (19 Api Ratuniyarawa 47’), 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt.), 7 Semi Kunatani, 8 Viliame Mata (20 Peceli Yato 57’), 9 Frank Lomani (21 Henry Seniloli 74’), 10 Ben Volavola, 11 Patrick Osborne (22 Jale Vatubua 50’), 12 Levani Botia, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu, 14 Filipo Nakosi, 15 Alivereti Veitokani (23 Josh Matavesi 62’)

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistants: Mike Adamson (SRU) & Cam Stone (NZRU)
TMO: Glenn Newman (NZRU)