Japan maul Tonga in confidence boost ahead of World Cup
Ananaki Lelei Mafi of Japan (right) attempts to run past Tonga’s players during their Pacific Nations Cup match in Higashiosaka on Saturday. Agence France-Presse
The 11th-ranked Brave Blossoms bagged five tries to 14th-ranked Tonga’s one in their second match of the Pacific Nations Cup, with less than 50 days before Japan hosts the first World Cup to be held in Asia.
Captain Michael Leitch, back after injury, said the team would scrutinise their performance but that they were on the right track after last week’s win against Fiji.
“There was so much pressure from them, it shows our performance is improving from last week,” he said.
“We’re doing well on the way to the World Cup.”
Japan took an early lead with Amanaki Lelei Mafi diving over the line for their first try, and both Asaeli Ai Valu and Timothy Lafaele made their mark in the first half.
A penalty kick by Tonga’s Sonatane Takulua missed the goal in the final minutes of the first half, leaving the score a lopsided 21-0.
The first points for Tonga came in the second half, with a try by Leva Fifita.
But Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima and Kenki Fukuoka cemented the victory for the home side at Hanazono Rugby Stadium.
The win came despite head coach Jamie Joseph leaving the team to return to New Zealand earlier in the day after the death of his mother.
“The team have promised to play for him,” national team performance committee vice chairman Yuichiro Fujii said.
Earlier on Saturday, Fiji scored a 38-13 win over Canada in Suva in a morale-boosting performance for the defending champions after last week’s loss to Japan.
It was a vastly different Fiji side that faced Canada, with only three forwards retaining their places and Racing 92 lock Leone Nakarawa captain for the first time.
While Canada enjoyed the best of possession and territory it was the solid Fijian pack that controlled the breakdown, but coach John McKee said the line-up needed more work.
Earlier on Saturday, a late penalty by AJ MacGinty kept the USA Eagles unbeaten when they overcame Samoa 13-10.
But while the Eagles controlled much of the game they were rarely able to convert their dominance into points -- leading coach Gary Gold to say they have “a long way to go” before the World Cup.
“Samoa put us under a lot of pressure. Our set-piece didn’t function as well as I would have liked it to function and our attack as well.”
Agence France-Presse
