Junior Japan overpower Tonga A
Junior Japan captain Shota Fukui acknowledged the toughness of Tonga A as his side finished their World Rugby Pacific Challenge campaign with a 39-10 win at the ANZ Stadium in Suva yesterday.
The side finished as runner up after earlier beating Samoa A 31-21 and losing to the Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors 24-66.
The Japanese side made good on their pledge to play attacking rugby against the Tongans, using their slippery backline players to post a big scoreline.
Junior Japan opened proceedings through number 8 Kai Yamamoto, whose try was successfully converted by first five eighth Rintaro Maryuama. Maryuama then converted a penalty in the 18th minute to extend Junior Japan’s lead to 10-0, before flanker Fukui made it 15-0 four minutes later.
Fijian flyer, Viliame Tuidraki, started at fullback for the Japanese side, scoring one try to register a solid performance after missing the game against the Swire Shipping Fijian Warriors on Tuesday.
The Tongans reduced the deficit after some patient build-up play by their forwards helped lock forward Aisea Makasini get over the line to make it 15-5.
Junior Japan hit straight back in the 37th minute through inside centre Tomosoki Osada, who converted a quick attack started from deep inside his own half by Tuidraki. Maryuama was successful with the conversion. Halftime: Junior Japan 22-5 Tonga A.
The leaders started the second half with the same intensity as the first, with winger Haruto Kida scoring in the 46th minute from a cross-field kick to make it 27-5. Tonga A came close to scoring in 52nd minute but a dogged Junior Japan defensive unit forced them back.
That defensive effort was rewarded when Tuidraki made it 32-5 in the 63rd, following up on some strong running by Mayuama to score a poacher’s try in the corner. Tonga A winger Weir Filikitonga managed a try to make it 32-10 two minutes from fulltime through a quick counter attack after Junior Japan lost the ball deep in the Tongan half.
Junior Japan had the last say with a penalty try after the Tongans failed to deal with a scrum.
Comments: Junior Japan head coach Yoshitake Mizuma said: “We wanted to play attacking rugby today and I’m happy the boys did.
“It was a tough and physical game but I’m satisfied with the way the boys kept up the intensity from start to finish.” Tongan head coach Lotu Filipine said: “Overall I think we could have done better but the work doesn’t stop here.
“We will go back to Tonga now and begin preparing for the Pacific Nations Cup.”