Sunday, June 30, 2013

TEST RUGBY RESULTS FOR 29 June

29.06.2013
Australia 16, British and Irish Lions 15 in Melbourne (2nd Test)
Ivory Coast 18, Morocco 15 in Abidjan (CAR Division 1C)
Nigeria 45, Zambia 10 in Yamoussouko (CAR Division 1C)
Niger 17, Mauritius 13 in Yamoussouko (CAR Division 1C)

Briefly
The Lions-Australia series goes to the third test next weekend as the decider. 2-point win to Lions last weekend and now a 1-point win to Australia yesterday. Who said the Lions tour concept was dead. Two very exciting games decided at the end. Next weekend’s game will be a cracker!

The Ivory Coast caused an upset when they defeated tournament favourites Morocco. Ivory Coast are promoted to Division 1B for 2014 whilst Morocco stays in 1C for another year.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

AUSTRALIA V BRITISH AND IRISH LIONS: 2nd Test

29.06.2013

Venue: Docklands Stadium (Etihad Stadium),

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Preview
This is the first featured match this weekend. The other is the CAR Africa Cup clash in Division 1C between Morocco and Ivory Coast.

All eyes however will be on Melbourne in this crucial rugby test match. The Lions narrowly, and perhaps luckily, won the first test 23-21 last weekend in Brisbane. Despite injuries the Australians will be desperate to tie the series going into the final test in Sydney next weekend.

Both side have made changes for this rugby test match. Some for Australia have been injury-forced whilst for the Lions their changes have been positional.

Whatever happens it will be close. I’m going for an Australian win that will provide a sensational build up to the final test in Sydney.

Prediction: Australia by 2 points

Teams

7[1]

Australia
15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Israel Folau, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Christian Leali'ifano, 11 Joseph Tomane, 10 James O'Connor, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Benjamin Mowen, 5 James Horwill, Capt. 4 Kane Douglas, 3 Benjamin Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements
16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Robert Simmons,
20 Liam Gill, 21 Nicholas Phipps, 22 Robert Horne, 23 Jesse Mogg.
Head Coach: Robbie Deans
If Mogg comes off the bench it will be his test debut. 

2013_British_and_Irish_Lions_logo[1]

British and Irish Lions
15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll, 12 Jonathan Davies, 11 George North, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Benjamin Youngs, 8 James Heaslip,
7 Samuel Warburton,Capt. 6 Daniel Lydiate, 5 Geoffrey Parling, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Thomas Youngs, 1 Makovina Vunipola.
Replacements
16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Ryan Grant, 18 Daniel Cole, 19 Thomas Croft, 20 Sean O'Brien, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 Alexander Cuthbert.
Head Coach: Warren Gatland

MOROCCO v IVORY COAST: CAR Division 1C

29.06.2013

Venue: Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire

Referee: Sébastien Boyer (France)

52[1] 77[1]

Preview
This is the second rugby test match featured this weekend.

Both teams were knocked out of Rugby World Cup qualification last year. Morocco losing to both Madagascar and Senegal in CAR Division 1B. Ivory Coast did not progress to Division 1B despite winning both their games. Hosts Botswana were promoted ahead of them.

In this year’s tournament the two top seeded sides are to clash on the last day. In the first two rounds Ivory Coast defeated Zambia 77-3 and Mauritius 83-3 whilst Morocco defeated Niger 77-3 and had a tougher game against Nigeria before winning 38-8.

The winner of this game will be promoted to CAR Division 1B for 2014.

Last Five Encounters
15.06.2010 Morocco 60-3 in Tunis (CAR Division 1A; Semi-final)
02.08.2008 Ivory Coast 21-9 in Casablanca (WCQ Africa R1; Pool B)
07.10.2006 Morocco 23-7 in Casab. (WCQ Africa R2; Group A; CAR Div.1A)
17.06.2006 Drawn 9-9 in Abidjan (WCQ Africa R2; Group A; CAR Div.1A)
27.03.2004 Morocco 11-6 in Casablanca (CAR Division 1A, North)

These two teams first met in 1990, Morocco winning 11-4 in Harare, a World Cup Qualifying match. Morocco had already lost to Zimbabwe and Tunisia and were eliminated.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table-Morocco 9th, Ivory Coast 11th

IRB Ranking Points
Morocco 52.35, Ivory Coast 47.67

Prediction: Morocco by 13 points

Team lists not available

In the other two games on the final day of this tournament Zambia plays Nigeria whilst Mauritius plays Niger.

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND 29 JUNE

29.06.2013
British and Irish Lions v Australia in Melbourne (2nd Test)
Morocco v Ivory Coast in Abidjan (CAR Division 1C)
Zambia v Nigeria in Abidjan (CAR Division 1C)
Mauritius v Niger in Abidjan (CAR Division 1C)

Friday, June 28, 2013

RUGBY IN JAPAN NEWSLETTER: Vol.10, No.24

Congratulations RIJ Newsletter 10th Anniversary 2003-2013

RiJ looks at the effort Japan put in against Wales in going down 22-18 at Hanazono in Osaka on Saturday. Japan came close to creating a bit of history but in the end Wales did enough to secure the win.

Ian McDonnell lives and works in Japan. He can be contacted at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp

CONTENTS

  • Wales Tour to Japan 2013

Wales-Japan-tour-logo

3[1]

Wales Tour to Japan 2013

Wales will tour Japan for the third time in June 2013 with tests at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka on Saturday 8 June and the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Saturday 15 June.

This tour is reminiscent of the 2001 visit when the British and Irish Lions were also touring Australia and Wales enjoyed good wins over Japan at the same venues in Osaka and Tokyo. The first visit to Japan by Wales was back in 1975 with a squad that included the likes of Welsh rugby legends JPR Williams , Phil Bennett and Gerald Davies.

Japan played a Welsh side for the first time on their tour of Europe in 1973 playing a Wales XV side at the Cardiff Arms Park. Japan were coached by Hisashi Yokoi while his younger brother Akira was the captain.

Former Welsh hooker Robyn McBryde will act as interim head coach with regular head coach Warren Gatland and also deputy head coach Rob Howley taking the British and Irish Lions to Australia in 2013. On 21 May 2013 McBryde named a 27-man squad for the tour to be captained by Cardiff Blue’s lock Bradley Davies. With fifteen leading players in Australia with the Lions the emphasis will be on youth and development. Injuries around other front line players such as five-eighth Rhys Priestland and hooker Ken Owens have forced McBryde to look further afield while he has overlooked the likes of James Hook in order to further pursue the youth policy of the tour.

Former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league star Shaun Edwards will be the defensive coach as Wales tour Japan as the reigning 2013 Six Nations champions and he is well aware that the young squad in the heat and humidity of Japan in June will have to work hard for two wins.

27-man Wales Squad for Tour to Japan 2013

Pos.

Name

Club

DOB

Age

Hgt/Wgt

Caps

Prop

Ryan BEVINGTON

Ospreys

09/12/1988

24

182/112

9

Prop

Rhys GILL

Saracens (ENG)

30/10/1986

26

180/113

3

Hooker

Emyr PHILLIPS

Scarlets

22/02/1987

26

183/102

0

Hooker

Scott BALDWIN

Ospreys

12/07/1988

24

190/110

0

Prop

Scott ANDREWS

Cardiff Blues

01/08/1989

23

188/117

6

Prop

Craig MITCHELL

Exeter Chiefs (ENG)

03/05/1986

27

185/119

14

Prop

Rhodri Jones

Scarlets

23/12/1991

21

191/119

1

Lock

Bradley DAVIES (c)

Cardiff Blues

09/01/1987

26

198/122

38

Lock

Lou REED

Cardiff Blues

10/09/1987

25

199/122

3

Lock

Andrew COOMBS

Newport Gwent Dragons

27/10/1984

28

194/109

4

Lock

James KING

Ospreys

24/07/1990

22

193/105

0

Flanker

Josh NAVIDI

Cardiff Blues

30/12/1990

22

185/95

0

Flanker

Dan BAKER

Ospreys

05/07/1992

20

191/112

0

Flanker

Rob McCUSKER

Scarlets

10/12/1985

27

195/100

5

No8

Andries PRETORIUS

Cardiff Blues

26/09/1985

27

194/110

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Halfback

Lloyd WILLIAMS

Cardiff Blues

30/11/1989

23

183/89

13

Halfback

Tavis KNOYLE

Scarlets

02/06/1990

23

185/91

9

Five-eighth

Dan BIGGAR

Ospreys

16/10/1989

23

188/89

16

Five-eighth

Rhys PATCHELL

Cardiff Blues

17/05/1993

20

188/95

0

Centre

Adam WARREN

Scarlets

07/03/1991

22

183/96

1

Centre

Owen WILLIAMS

Cardiff Blues

02/10/1991

21

190/96

0

Centre

Jonathon SPRATT

Ospreys

28/04/1986

27

188/102

2

Wing

Dafydd HOWELLS

Ospreys

22/03/1995

18

185/96

0

Fullback

Liam WILLIAMS

Scarlets

09/04/1991

22

188/86

3

Wing

Harry ROBINSON

Cardiff Blues

16/04/1993

20

178/82

1

Fullback

Tom PRYDIE

Newport Gwent Dragons

23/02/1992

21

194/86

4

Fullback

Steven SHINGLER

London Irish (ENG)

20/06/1991

21

190/88

0

Team Manager: Alan Phillips.

Head Coach: Robyn McBryde (Interim coach).

Wales 22 d Japan 18

Wales 22 – Try: Harry Robinson; Conversion: Dan Biggar; Penalties: Dan Biggar 4, Rhys Patchell d.

Japan 18 – Tries: Michael Broadhurst and Yoshikazu Fujita; Conversion: Ayumu Goromaru; Penalties: Ayumu Goromaru 2.

Competition: Wales Tour to Japan 2013.
Date: Saturday 08 June 2013.
Venue: Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground, Osaka.
Japan Test Number: 289.
Japan Game Number: TBC.

Kick-off: 14:00 local time (05:00 GMT/UTC).
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa) . Assistant Referees: Greg Garner (England) and Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan).

Conditions: Overcast, maximum forecast for Osaka 30 degrees Celsius, no wind. Surface well grassed, firm and fast.

Attendance: 20,152.

Halftime: Japan 11 – Wales 6.
Yellow Card: Rob McCusker (Wales No.8, 19 min 1H, intentional infringement).

Head-to-head Encounters:

Japan and sides from Wales, including the full national side (eight times), Wales XV (four times) and Combined Clubs of Wales (once) have met thirteen times dating back to 1973 with the Welsh sides victorious on all occasions.

The highest scoring win for Wales was 98-0 in Cardiff in November 2004, while the biggest winning margin was 98 points in the same test. The longest winning sequence for Welsh sides is twelve wins in a row between 1973 and 2007. The closest test was when a Wales XV beat Japan 29-24 in Cardiff in 1983.

Of the thirteen tests played, five have been played in Japan, while seven tests have been played in Wales and one has been played on the neutral territory of Bloemfontein in South Africa during the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Japan and Wales have met three times at Rugby World Cups, including 1995, 1999 and 2007.

No.

Date

Result

(Home – Away)

Venue

Tournament

Japan

Test No.

W/D/L

(For Japan)

13

08 Jun 2013

Japan 18 – Wales 22

Hanazono, Osaka

 

289

Lost

12

20 Sep 2007

Wales 72 – Japan 18

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

6th RWC

229

Lost

11

26 Nov 2004

Wales 98 – Japan 0

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

 

199

Lost

10

17 Jun 2001

Japan 30 – Wales 53

Chichibu, Tokyo

 

172

Lost

9

10 Jun 2001

Japan 10 – Wales 64

Hanazono, Osaka

 

171

Lost

8

09 Oct 1999

Wales 64 – Japan 15

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

4th RWC

160

Lost

7

27 May 1995

Wales 57 – Japan 10

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

3rd RWC

126

Lost

6

16 Oct 1993

Wales 55 – Japan 5

Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

 

118

Lost

5

22 Oct 1983

Wales XV 29 – Japan 24

Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

 

79

Lost

4

09 Oct 1976

Combined Clubs of Wales 63 – Japan 9

St Helen’s, Swansea

 

53

Lost

3

24 Sep 1975

Japan 6 – Wales XV 82

National Stadium, Tokyo

 

49

Lost

2

21 Sep 1975

Japan 12 – Wales XV 56

Hanazono, Osaka

 

48

Lost

1

06 Oct 1973

Wales XV 62 – Japan 14

Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

 

38

Lost


Japan (IRB rank 15 (68.91), at 03 June 2013)

Pos.

Name (Test Player Number)

Club

DOB

Age

Hgt/Wgt

Caps

1

Masataka MIKAMI (TBC)

Toshiba Brave Lupus

04/06/1988

24

178/115

6

2

Shota HORIE (530)

Panasonic Wild Knights

21/01/1986

27

180/105

20

3

Hiroshi YAMASHITA (523)

Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers

01/01/1986

27

183/122

22

4

Hitoshi ONO (445)

Toshiba Brave Lupus

06/05/1978

35

192/105

70

5

Shoji ITO (553)

Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers

02/12/1980

32

191/101

14

6

Hendrik TUI (565)

Suntory Sungoliath

13/12/1987

25

189/108

11

7

Michael BROADHURST (566)

Ricoh Black Rams

30/10/1986

26

196/111

9

8

Takashi KIKUTANI (c) (474)

Toyota Verblitz

24/02/1980

33

187/105

60

9

Fumiaki TANAKA (510)

Panasonic Wild Knights

03/01/1985

28

166/71

34

10

Harumichi TATEKAWA (557)

Kubota Spears

02/12/1989

23

181/95

16

11

Kenki FUKUOKA (TBC)

Tsukuba University

07/09/1992

20

175/83

5

12

Craig WING (TBC)

Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers

26/12/1979

33

180/90

3

13

Male SAU (TBC)

Yamaha Jubilo

13/10/1987

25

183/97

6

14

Yoshikazu FUJITA (562)

Waseda University

08/09/1993

19

184/86

6

15

Ayumu GOROMARU (467)

Yamaha Jubilo

01/03/1986

27

185/99

26

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

Takeshi KIZU (534)

Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers

15/07/1988

24

183/114

19

17

Yusuke NAGAE (551)

Ricoh Black Rams

19/07/1985

27

171/108

10

18

Kensuke HATAKEYAMA (515)

Suntory Sungoliath

02/08/1985

27

178/115

43

19

Toshizumi KITAGAWA (473)

Toyota Verblitz

07/02/1981

32

195/112

43

20

Ryuta YASUI (TBC)

Kobe Steel Kobelco Steelers

06/12/1989

23

187/105

2

21

Atsushi HIWASA (545)

Suntory Sungoliath

22/05/1987

26

166/72

24

22

Yu TAMURA (555)

NEC Green Rockets

09/01/1989

24

181/92

10

23

Hirotoki ONOZAWA (416)

Suntory Sungoliath

29/03/1978

35

180/87

81

Head Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS). (16th test as head coach, for 10 wins and 6 losses)

Subs
16 subbed 2, 30 min 2H.
17 subbed 1, 20 min 2H.
18 subbed 3, 24 min 2H.
19 subbed 4, 38 min 2H.
20 subbed 6, 30 min 2H.
21 subbed 9, 24 min 2H.
22 subbed 12, 26 min 2H.
23 subbed 11, 30 min 2H. 

Wales (IRB rank 5 (83.36), at 03 June 2013)

Pos.

Name

Club

DOB

Age

Hgt/Wgt

Caps

1

Ryan BEVINGTON

Ospreys

09/12/1988

24

182/112

10

2

Emyr PHILLIPS

Scarlets

22/02/1987

26

183/102

1

3

Scott ANDREWS

Cardiff Blues

01/08/1989

23

188/117

7

4

Bradley DAVIES (c)

Cardiff Blues

09/01/1987

26

198/122

39

5

Lou REED

Cardiff Blues

10/09/1987

25

199/122

4

6

Andrew COOMBS

Newport Gwent Dragons

27/10/1984

28

194/109

5

7

James KING

Ospreys

24/07/1990

22

193/105

1

8

Rob McCUSKER

Scarlets

10/12/1985

27

195/100

6

9

Lloyd WILLIAMS

Cardiff Blues

30/11/1989

23

183/89

14

10

Dan BIGGAR

Ospreys

16/10/1989

23

188/89

17

11

Dafydd HOWELLS

Ospreys

22/03/1995

18

185/96

1

12

Jonathon SPRATT

Ospreys

28/04/1986

27

188/102

3

13

Owen WILLIAMS

Cardiff Blues

02/10/1991

21

190/96

1

14

Harry ROBINSON

Cardiff Blues

16/04/1993

20

178/82

2

15

Liam WILLIAMS

Scarlets

09/04/1991

22

188/86

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

Scott BALDWIN

Ospreys

12/07/1988

24

190/110

(0)

17

Rhys GILL

Saracens (ENG)

30/10/1986

26

180/113

4

18

Rhodri Jones

Scarlets

23/12/1991

21

191/119

(1)

19

Andries PRETORIUS

Cardiff Blues

26/09/1985

27

194/110

1

20

Dan BAKER

Ospreys

05/07/1992

20

191/112

1

21

Tavis KNOYLE

Scarlets

02/06/1990

23

185/91

10

22

Rhys PATCHELL

Cardiff Blues

17/05/1993

20

188/95

1

23

Tom PRYDIE

Newport Gwent Dragons

23/02/1992

21

194/86

(4)

Head Coach: Robyn McBryde (Interim coach).

Subs
16 not used.
17 subbed 1, 11 min 2H.
18 not used.
19 subbed 6, 11 min 2H.
20 subbed 8, 20 min 2H.
21 subbed 9, 20 min 2H.
22 subbed 10, 24 min 2H.
23 not used.

Sources:
Statistics for Japan and Wales from RiJ database and JRFU website.

Preview
Comments by head coach Eddie Jones, “This is the strongest side we can field. Wales are ranked fifth in the world and are current European champions and although they have a number of leading players with the Lions this squad has good depth. We have prepared well and although they have chosen a big side we are up to the challenge. We want to move the ball around in the expected heat and humidity and play our Japanese style of rugby and it will be interesting to see how it works against this opposition.”

Interim captain Takashi Kikutani had the following to say, “We have Horie and Tanaka back from Super Rugby for this test. We trained really well this week and even though Wales come to Japan rank ranked fifth in the world it is the perfect opportunity for us to show we can beat this side. We accept the challenge and are going to battle it out for the full 80 minutes.”

Hooker Horie Shota fresh back from duty with the Melbourne Rebels commented, “I have just joined up with the squad and am not real sure on some of the plays but the guys have been helping me to come up to speed. We want to play with confidence and show everyone what we can do.”

Halfback Fumiaki Tanaka back in the Japan squad after playing with the Highlanders also said, “This team still has a lot of growth in it and we want to show the world what we can do. We are going to take on and beat this high-ranked Welsh side and improve our own position in the rankings.”

Starting centre Craig Wing said, “For me personally this will be the first time to run-on against one of the world’s top sides. I want to play my role and counter the physical approach the Welsh will bring to the game. We know the Welsh are big and strong and that we have to put our bodies on the line in defence.”

Prop Yusuke Nagae, back in the squad for his first test this season noted, “I’d like to thank those who supported me along the way in getting back into the team. However, getting back in the side is not the be all and end all as producing the results is everything. I want to do my all in contributing to a Japan win.”

In naming the Wales side to face Japan in the first test at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka on Saturday 8 June 2013, touring head coach Robin McBryde included four uncapped players in his starting line-up including hooker Emyr Phillips, backrower James King, 18-year-old Ospreys’ wing Dafydd Howells and outside centre Owen Williams. Meanwhile, there are a further four players on the Welsh bench who will be vying to make their international debuts in hooker Scott Baldwin, No8 Andries Pretorius, flanker Dan Baker and five-eighth Rhys Patchell. Wales will be led by the most-capped player in the touring squad in the form of lock Bradley Davies with 38 caps to his name while the halfback combination of Lloyd Williams and Dan Biggar with 13 and 16 caps respectively are the only other players in double figures in the match-day XXIII for the tourists.

On Planet Rugby, McBryde was quoted as saying, “We have been impressed with the training and all the boys have put their hand up to try and get into the test team.” He added, “They are eager to get out there now, pull on the jersey and show what they can do. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them and they know the importance of wearing the jersey and representing our nation.”

Wrap
At the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Ground in Osaka on Saturday 08 June 2013, Wales No.10 Dan Biggar got things underway kicking off to hosts Japan playing in their alternate blue jersey. In what would surely be very hot and humid conditions for the visitors the stage was set for Japan to show the European champions and fifth ranked side in the world what they are made of in the first of two tests.

Over the early exchanges both sides set about feeling each other out but the indications were there that Wales were going to play an expansive game with ball in hand. However, Japan head coach Eddie Jones made it perfectly clear in the lead up to the opening test that Japan were going to play the same kind of game to run around the bigger Welsh side in the Osaka heat.

Japan were playing a new halfback combination with Fumiaki Tanaka back from Super Rugby at scrum base with Harumichi Tatekawa outside him in the playmaking position. Tatekawa regularly played in this position at university but under Jones, Kosei Ono has been first choice in the No.10 jersey. However, with Ono out injured the bigger, stronger Tatekawa has been slotted in to face Wales.

The first scoring opportunity was given to Japan with a breakdown penalty in the 15th minute with fullback Ayumu Goromaru raising the flags to give the home side a 3-0 lead. Japan turned down shots at penalty on a number of occasions to play the game at pace but with an easy penalty in front of the posts Goromaru potted his second penalty in the 20th minute on the back of the sinbinning of Wales No8 Rob McCusker. That brought a brief break in proceedings with a water break but Japan were in a good position after the first quarter leading 6-0.

With Wales playing a man down with their No8 in the bin, Biggar was given the chance to close the gap in the 22nd minute when Japan were caught off-side and he made no mistake narrowing the difference to 6-3.

Japan were proving competitive at the set pieces and also the breakdown gaining parity with their more fancied rivals. Biggar missed his second penalty in the 26th minute even though he felt it was good, but penalties at the wrong end of the ground were starting to hurt Japan as a further breakdown indiscretion gave Biggar another shot in the 28th minute and this time all agreed with the score locked up at 6-all.

McCusker returned to the fray in the 30th minute to even up the numbers while at the same time Shota Horie was forced to the blood bin with Takeshi Kizu coming on as his temporary replacement. Horie was back on soon thereafter with Japan defending a midfield lineout.

A stream of turnover ball was keeping Japan on the attack with Welsh ill-discipline drawing the attention of South African referee Lourens van der Merwe. Japan kept up the pressure with a lineout and with openside flanker Michael Broadhurst skirting around the front he crossed for the first try of the test in the 37th minute to give Japan an 11-8 lead. Goromaru could not convert the try from near the right-hand touchline but Japan had their noses in front in the shadows of halftime. There was to be no addition to the score with Japan enjoying an 11-8 lead after the opening forty minutes of play.

In a tight first half three were very few try scoring opportunities for either side with Japan capitalising on the one chance that came their way with Broadhurst crossing for the only try of the half from a five-metre lineout. The sinbinning of McCusker midway through the half did not overly hurt the visitors on the scoreboard but Japan were more and more showing that if Wales wanted to win this test they would have to work very hard for it.

As play resumed for the second half, Japan had the chance to stretch the lead when Wales were penalised in the opening minute for not rolling away at a breakdown. However, the usually very reliable Goromaru could not add the points. Wales then played their way deep into the Japan half drawing a penalty in the 6th minute for Biggar to kick his third penalty to make it 11-9 on the scoreboard.

Ten minutes into the half Goromaru was handed another kick at penalty for another breakdown penalty and like his earlier attempt in the half he was unable to raise the flags.

As the game approached the hour mark and with Japan holding onto a two-point lead, the Welsh started to up the ante on the Japan pack at scrum time and also the lineout. This gave the backs front foot ball to use at the right end of the park. This pressure was converted into points with Biggar kicking his fourth penalty in the 60th minute to give Wales the outright lead for the first time at 12-11.

With the pressure building it was time for the respective coaches to look to their benches while it was time for the big names to stand up. However, with Wales now in front and the game starting to swing their way, the passes started to stick for right wing Harry Robinson to cross for the first Welsh try in the 23rd minute. Biggar added the extras to push out the lead to 19-11. After the water break, Japan had it all to do to come back from eighth points down against a Welsh side that now had their tails up.

The Japan scrum stepped up forcing a turn over feed in the 68th minute in good field position inside the Wales 22 area. Quick ball but Japan on attack with right wing Yoshikazu Fujita going over in the corner in the 69th minute. Goromaru was presented a difficult shot from out wide on the right-hand side of the field but the pressure kick flew straight as an arrow to close the score to 19-18.

Going into the final ten minutes of play and with only one point separating the two sides on the scoreboard, the result was resting on a knife’s edge. With five minutes to go, Wales fullback Liam Williams skied a kick direct into touch to give Japan a chance. However, Wales recovered and now playing for territory used the boot to keep Japan pinned in their own half. Composure is what was required from both sides but with Wales protecting their slim lead they were in the box seat to take the match. Replacement Rhys Patchell stretched the lead to 22-18 with a penalty in the 79th minute meaning Japan now had to score a try if they were to record an historic win over the Six Nations champions. The hooter sounded in the background with Japan on attack and all it took was one dropped ball to bring down the curtain and a highly competitive test match.

On the field after the match Japan head coach Eddie Jones said, “We had opportunities to win but could not take them. Wales took theirs and that was the result. I am proud of the players. We defended really well and only allowed them that one try while we looked good in attack. We want to win next week in front of a full ground and I want to thank the crowd here today at Hanazono.”

Stand-in captain Takashi Kikutani said, “In front of this big crowd we wanted to give them a good result but unfortunately we fell short. We have the game next week and we want to turn it around.”

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Japan fullback Ayumu Goromaru stands in a tackle. (JRFU, H. Nagaoka)