O’Shea’s Azzurri fall to eighth defeat on the spin

WORLD Cup hosts Japan extended Conor O’Shea’s Italy’s winless run to eight games and provided a timely boost for the home fans ahead of next year’s tournament.

Jamie Joseph’s men produced a devastating display of attacking rugby scoring four tries in the process.

“That was Test match rugby – this is what it’s all about,” said Japan captain Michael Leitch. “We had pressure moments during the game and we capitalised. I’m proud how the team handled the game.”

All four came from scintillating attacking moves, with Amanaki Lelei Mafi and Kenki Fukuoka scoring in the first half, before wing Lomano Lava Lemeki and full-back Kotaro Matsushima followed suit in the second.

Italy kept themselves in the contest with tries from prop Tiziano Pasquali and No.8 Abraham Jurgens Steyn to reach the half-time break trailing the world’s 11th-ranked side 17-14.

However, Japan took control after the break with fly-half Yu Tamura at the center of everything positive for the Brave Blossoms, almost faultless with the boot and providing the vision to create the chances for both second-half tries.

His cross-field kick was tapped back by hooker Shota Horie into the path of Lemeki to give Japan a 10-point lead with 20 minutes to play, before a deft grubber kick invited Matsushima to go over for the final points on 66 minutes.

It leaves Italy, 14th in the world, with just one win in their last 18 matches.