Blossoms show their progress in Georgia demolition

JAPAN stunned Georgia with a physically dominant performance in difficult conditions at Toyota Stadium yesterday.

The Brave Blossoms put aside a poor first half to finish their June Test series with two wins and a loss.

“I am really proud of the team and what we have achieved in June,” said coach Jamie Joseph. “In the past year we have come a long way in a short time.”

With the forwards dominating the loose and more than holding their own in the tight on a slippery surface, Wimpie van der Walt, Lomano Lava Lemeki and Kazuki Himeno scored secondhalf tries to seal the win, the Brave Blossoms’ fifth in six games with the Lelos.

“It was a very difficult match in conditions that Japan traditionally does not enjoy,” said Joseph. “But the players understood and overcame the challenge.

“In the set piece we put them under pressure and they couldn’t get going. And when the ball was on the ground, our counterrucking and attacking mindset in defence was a standout point.”

A strong run by Amanaki Lelei Mafi in the second minute allowed Yu Tamura to knock over a penalty after the Georgians were caught offside.

Two more penalties, by Tamura and Ryuji Noguchi, saw Japan take a 9-0 lead into the break, but it could and should have been more as Tamura missed three kicks at goal, two from within his range and in front of the posts.

Replacement lock Van der Walt powered over in the 49th minute following a good Japan scrum that had forced the Georgians to turn the ball over.

Lemeki followed him onto the scoresheet four minutes later after another good turnover.

Tamura added the extras to both, the second from the touchline, to make it 23-0 before replacement No.8 Himeno crossed for Japan’s third try.