RUGBY IN JAPAN NEWSLETTER VOL. 9, No.23

Ian MacDonnell provides a regular newsletter of all the ins-and-outs of rugby in Japan.

RiJ has been working back through the history of Japan tests and this week has come across a player who was forgotten about. Kazuo Natsui played two tests in the 1950s but it was not till the 1980s that it was discovered he was left off the Japan test players’ list. Instead of what should have been player number 95 he was given the ad hoc number 255 at the time the miss was discovered. The dilemma RiJ has lost sleep about this week is should he be 95 or 255? RiJ thinks the former but wonders what precedents are out there in the wider world of rugby history. PNC kicked off on Tuesday in Nagoya with Samoa beating Tonga 20-18 in the early game and Fiji beating Japan 25-19 in the latter game.

Ian can be contacted at ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp

 

The Japan Test Match & Player History Project

For nine years now RiJ has been documenting Japanese rugby across various levels of the game. More recently, however, RiJ has recognised the need to accurately document the history of Japanese test match rugby and the players that have represented Japan down through the years. With this in mind, RiJ has embarked on a project to write the history of Japanese international rugby, detail every test that Japan has played and profile every player that has represented Japan.

Desperately seeking feedback?

Kazuo Natsui

During this past week RiJ has been looking back at Japan tests played in the 1950s.

All was going smooth enough until I came across what I believed was a player left out of the Japan test player list.

Please let me try to explain as it involves two players with the same family name, Sueharu Natsui and Kazuo Natsui, who in fact were cousins. Both were props and Sueharu played three tests, followed by Kazuo who played two tests. They both were born in the same Akita prefecture, they both went to the same high school in that prefecture and they both attended Meiji University though after that they went along different career paths.

Separated by about seventeen months in age, the elder Sueharu played one test against the touring Oxford University in 1952 as a 21 year old and then made two further international appearances for Japan in 1953 against Cambridge University. Japan did not play any tests in 1954 and 1955 with the next tests being the three tests against the Australian Universities on their tour of Japan in 1956. Twenty-three years old at the time, Kazuo played in two of these three tests representing Meiji University as his cousin did before him.

Now, this is where the problems start. Sueharu was given Japan test player number 68, but when RiJ was searching the records for Kazuo, where he should have been number 95 there was another name. RiJ scanned up and down the page and there was no Kazuo Natsui to be found.

RiJ emailed Hiroshi Hibino, former Japan player, former national head coach and Japan rugby historian about this and his explanation was that for many years in Japan Rugby Football Union records, Sueharu Natsui and was listed as five caps and Kazuo Natsui was not included. It is easy enough to understand how such an error could occur where two players with similar names and backgrounds were mistakenly listed as one player, but once the problem was finally picked up it opens a can of worms as to what is the most appropriate remedial action.

Eventually, Kazuo Natsui was given Japan test player number 255, bizarrely slotting him in the list with players making their debuts in the early to mid 1980s, almost thirty years removed from when he actually made his debut. This action must have been taken in the 1980s when it was discovered and it would seem the JRFU took the line of least resistance in just giving him the next available number at the time so as not to upset the hitherto numbering order that by now was well and truly set in concrete. If one is not on top of the situation though, it makes his name almost impossible to find in the list as it is not where it should be.

Having said that though, the first thing that came into my mind was that if you find an historical mistake the hard decision must be made to accurately reflect the actual time line of history. In this respect, RiJ is of the opinion that Kazuo Natsui should in fact be test player number 95 and that all players below him should shift one number.

In the approach the JRFU have taken, Kazuo Natsui is the odd one out at number 255 meaning there was no need to change the numbers for players 95 to 254. RiJ can relate to this thinking but believes this does not do history justice.

RiJ would be very interested in getting feedback from other rugby statisticians and historians on similar cases in other Unions. Furthermore, RiJ would like to also ask those same rugby statisticians and historians what do you believe would be the best course of action for Kazuo Natsui?

By the way, as an afterthought, in the statistical listing in Scrum Stats, Sueharu Natsui is down with five caps and Kazuo Natsui does not exist.

NAME: Sueharu NATSUI 夏井末春

NICKNAME:

POSITION: Prop

TEST PLAYER #: 68

HEIGHT/WEIGHT:

EMPLOYER/OCCUPATION:

SENIOR CLUB: Yokogawa Denki

UNIVERSITY: Meiji University (明治大学)

HIGH SCHOOL: Akita High School (秋田高等学校)

DATE OF BIRTH: 20 August 1931

PLACE OF BIRTH: Akita prefecture

DATE OF DEATH:

PLACE OF DEATH:

AGE:

CAPS: 3

TEST DEBUT: 05 Oct 1952, Japan 0 – Oxford University 52, Tokyo Rugby Stadium, Tokyo, No.1

LAST TEST: 04 Oct 1953, Japan 6 – Cambridge University 35, Chichibu, No.1

TEST POINTS: None

TEST DETAILS: 1. 05 Oct 1952, Japan 0 – Oxford University 52, Tokyo Rugby Stadium, Tokyo, No.1. 2. 27 Sep 1953, Japan 11 – Cambridge University 34, Hanazono, No.3. 3. 04 Oct 1953, Japan 6 – Cambridge University 35, Chichibu, No.1.

UNUSED RESERVE:

OTHER REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS:

PROFILE:

LAST UPDATED: 23 May 2012

NAME: Kazuo NATSUI 夏井和夫

NICKNAME:

POSITION: Prop

TEST PLAYER #: 255

HEIGHT/WEIGHT:

EMPLOYER/OCCUPATION:

SENIOR CLUB: Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company (安田火災海上保険)

UNIVERSITY: Meiji University (明治大学)

HIGH SCHOOL: Akita High School (秋田高等学校)

DATE OF BIRTH: 07 January 1933

PLACE OF BIRTH: Akita prefecture

DATE OF DEATH:

PLACE OF DEATH:

AGE:

CAPS: 2

TEST DEBUT: 21 Mar 1956, Japan 8 – Australian Universities 19, Chichibu, No.3, 1 try

LAST TEST: 25 Mar 1956, Japan 6 – Australian Universities 19, Hanazono, No.3

TEST POINTS: 3 (1 try)

TEST DETAILS: 1. 21 Mar 1956, Japan 8 – Australian Universities 19, Chichibu, No.3, 1 try. 2. 25 Mar 1956, Japan 6 – Australian Universities 19, Hanazono, No.3.

UNUSED RESERVE:

OTHER REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS:

PROFILE:

LAST UPDATED: 30 May 2012

---

IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012

Fiji 25 d Japan 19

Fiji 25 – Tries: Aisake Katonibau, Waisea Nayacalevu and Vereniki Goneva; Conversions: Setareki Koroilagilagi 2; Penalties: Setareki Koroilagilagi 2 d.

Japan 19 – Try: penalty try; Conversion: Ayumu Goromaru; Penalties: Ayumu Goromaru 4.

Competition: 7^th IRB Pacific Nations Cup.
Date: Tuesday 5 June 2012.
Venue: Mizuho Park Rugby Ground, Nagoya.
Japan Test Number: 278.
Japan Game Number:
Kick-off: 7:10 PM local Japan time.
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland). Assistant Referees:
Conditions: Cloudy, forecast temperature range for Nagoya on the day 19-22 degrees. Ground dry, firm and fast.
Attendance: 6,036.
Halftime: Japan 9 – Fiji 14.
PNC Match Points: Fiji 4, Japan 1.

Head-to-head Encounters:

Japan and Fiji have met on fourteen occasions dating back to 1990. Fiji have won eleven and Japan three.

Although Fiji won the inaugural meeting between these two nations in 1990, Japan then won the two home test in 1994. However, Fiji went on to win the next nine tests played between 1999 and 2010 before Japan chalked up their third win in Lautoka in 2011on their way to winning the Pacific Nations Cup that year.

The highest scoring wins for Japan were 24-18 in Matsuyama in May 1994 and 24-13 in Lautoka in July 2011, while the biggest winning margin was 12 points in the 20-8 win in May 1994 at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Although Japan scored 39 points against Fiji in Suva in 2009, the home side scored a dramatic converted try in extra time to win 40-39. The longest winning sequence for Japan is two wins in a row in 1994.

The highest scoring win for Fiji was 47-22 in 2000, while the biggest winning margin was 28 points in the 41-13 win at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The longest winning sequence for Fiji is nine wins between 1999 and 2010.

Of the fourteen tests played, seven have been played in Japan, while five games have been played in Fiji and two have been played on the neutral territory of Toulouse in France during the 2007 Rugby World Cup and Townsville in Australia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Official test results for Japan against Fiji

No.	Date	Result (Home – Away)	Venue	Tournament	Japan Test No.	W/D/L (For Japan)
14	05 Jun 2012	Japan 19 – Fiji 25	Mizuho, Nagoya	7th PNC	278	Lost
13	13 Jul 2011	Fiji 13 – Japan 24	Churchill Park, Lautoka	6th PNC	267	Won
12	12 Jun 2010	Fiji 22 – Japan 8	Churchill Park, Lautoka	5th PNC	256	Lost
11	03 Jul 2009	Fiji 40 – Japan 39	National Stadium, Suva	4th PNC	249	Lost
10	22 Jun 2008	Japan 12 – Fiji 24	National Stadium, Tokyo	3rd PNC	237	Lost
9	12 Sep 2007	Fiji 35 – Japan 31	Toulouse	6th RWC	228	Lost
8	26 May 2007	Fiji 30 – Japan 15	Churchill Park, Lautoka	2nd PNC	221	Lost
7	01 Jul 2006	Japan 15 – Fiji 29	Nagai, Osaka	P5N	216	Lost
6	23 Oct 2003	Fiji 41 – Japan 13	Townsville	5th RWC	191	Lost
5	20 May 2000	Japan 22 – Fiji 47	Chichibu, Tokyo	5th PRC	162	Lost
4	05 Jun 1999	Fiji 16 – Japan 9	Churchill Park, Lautoka	4th PRC	156	Lost
3	15 May 1994	Japan 20 – Fiji 8	National Stadium, Tokyo		120	Won
2	08 May 1994	Japan 24 – Fiji 18	Matsuyama, Ehime		119	Won
1	04 Mar 1990	Japan 6 – Fiji 32	Chichibu, Tokyo		102	Lost

P5N = Pacific Five Nations (2006 only).

PNC = Pacific Nations Cup. The 2006 P5N evolved into the PNC from 2007 and thus 2007 can be considered the ‘second’ PNC.

PRC = Pacific Rim Championship.

RWC = Rugby World Cup.

Japan (IRB rank 14 (70.45), at 04 June 2012)

Pos.	Name	Club	Age	Hgt/Wgt	Caps
1	Yusuke NAGAE	Ricoh Black Rams	26	171/105	5
2	Takeshi KIZU	Kobe Steelers	23	183/111	12
3	Kensuke HATAKEYAMA	Suntory Sungoliath	26	178/111	32
4	Shinya MAKABE	Suntory Sungoliath	25	192/112	7
5	Hitoshi ONO	Toshiba Brave Lupus	34	192/105	59
6	Yuta MOCHIZUKI	Toshiba Brave Lupus	30	184/105	5
7	Takamichi SASAKI	Suntory Sungoliath	28	184/95	11
8	Michael LEITCH	Toshiba Brave Lupus	23	190/105	26
9	Atsushi HIWASA	Suntory Sungoliath	24	166/72	13
10	Kosei ONO	Suntory Sungoliath	25	171/81	10
11	Hirotoki ONOZAWA	Suntory Sungoliath	34	180/85	72
12	Harumichi TATEKAWA	Kubota Spears	22	181/93	5
13	Tomohiro SEMBA	Toshiba Brave Lupus	29	183/97	5
14	Toshiaki HIROSE (c)	Toshiba Brave Lupus	30	173/81	6
15	Ayumu GOROMARU	Yamaha Jubilo	26	185/97	16
16	Ryuhei ARITA	Coca-Cola West Red Sparks	23	176/100	5
17	Hiroshi YAMASHITA	Kobe Steelers	26	183/121	11
18	Shoji ITO	Kobe Steelers	31	191/97	5
19	Takashi KIKUTANI	Toyota Verblitz	32	187/100	49
20	Jun FUJII	Toshiba Brave Lupus	29	170/77	5
21	Ryan NICHOLAS	Suntory Sungoliath	33	190/100	36
22	Yasunori NAGATOMO	Suntory Sungoliath	26	176/85	8

Head Coach: Eddie Jones (AUS). (5^th test as head coach, for 4 wins and 1 loss.)

Subs
16 subbed 2, 24 min 2H.
17 subbed 1, 21 min 2H.
18 subbed 6, 25 min 2H.
19 subbed 8, 24 min 2H.
20 subbed 9, 32 min 2H.
21 subbed 12, 13 min 2H.
22 subbed 14, 34 min 2H.

Fiji (IRB rank 16 (68.78), at 04 June 2012)

Pos.	Name	Club	Age	Hgt/Wgt
1	Graham Dewes	Counties Manukau (NZL)	30	182/118
2	Viliame Veikoso	QVS Old Boys Club	30	178/102
3	Setefano Somoca	Police Nadroga	31	185/122
4	Apisai Naikatini	Toyota (JPN)	27	196/115
5	Leone Nakarawa	Army Green	24	198/117
6	Iliesa Ratuva	Ravuka Sharks	32	190/109
7	Malakai Ravulo	North Harbour (NZL)	28	190/107
8	Netani Talei (c)	Edinburgh (SCO)	29	190/110
9	Nikola Matawalu	Navy Rugby Club	23	178/85
10	Setareki Koroilagilagi	Army Rugby Club	27	183/94
11	Watisoni Votu	Vuda Blues	27	196/100
12	Aisake Katonibau	Army Green	29	190/95
13	Vereniki Goneva	Tarves	28	189/99
14	Waisea Nayacalevu	Uprising	21	195/97
15	Isimeli Koniferedi	Gaunavou Rugby Club	27	175/85
16	Seremaia Naureure	Sigatoka Rugby Club	25	183/113
17	Waisea Daveta	Toorak Blues	23	186/117
18	Samu Bola	Police	29	185/104
19	Kelepi Ketedromo	Navoci Rugby Club	31	186/103
20	Kelemedi Bola	Kadavu Rugby Club	30	178/92
21	Benedito Koroi	Navy Rugby Club	28	178/103
22	Alusio Buto	Grenoble (FRA)	28	183/102

Head Coach: Inoke Male.

Subs
16 subbed 2, 30 min 2H.
17 subbed 1, 16 min 2H.
18 subbed 8, 25 min 2H.
19 subbed 4, 13 min 2H.
20 subbed 9, 32 min 2H.
21 subbed 14, 32 min 2H.
22 subbed 13, 20 min 2H.

Preview

After four convincing wins in the recent HSBC Asian Five Nations, Japan under new head coach Eddie Jones will have to up the ante as they now take on Fiji, Tonga and then Samoa in the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012. The tournament was supposed to be held in Japan last year but the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami that stuck north-eastern Japan on 11 March forced the organisers to move all but the opening match to Fiji.

However, with Japan on the road to recovery, the country is now set to host the tournament for the first time. The first two rounds will be double headers, firstly at the Mizuho Park Rugby Ground in Nagoya on Tuesday 5 June 2012 followed by the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Sunday 10 June 2012. The third and final round will be split with Samoa playing Japan in Tokyo while Tonga and Fiji take their clash to Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji.

Fiji visit Japan for the sixth time after previous tours in 2008, 2006, 2000, 1994 and 1990 and will play in Nagoya for the first time. It is four years since Fiji were last in Japan and it is also four years since the last test was played at this Mizuho venue in Nagoya when Japan beat the USA 29-19 in November 2008.

At the completion of the Asian Five Nations series Japan Jones kept the core of his squad intact while bringing back the experienced former captain Takashi Kikutani in the forwards and Ryan Nicholas in the backs.

For the opening test against Fiji at the Mizuho Park Rugby Ground in Nagoya on Tuesday 5 June 2012 kicking off at 7:10 in the evening following the Samoa-Tonga encounter, Jones has made only one change to the starting line-up of the team that beat Hong Kong 67-0 in Tokyo on 17 May with Harumichi Tatekawa coming into the run-on side at inside centre for Yu Tamurawho drops out of the XXII for this test.

The front row is made up of Ricoh loosehead Yusuke Nagae, the big man Takeshi Kizu at hooker from the Kobe Steelers and Suntory hard man Kensuke Hatakeyama on the tighthead side while the second row consists of Shinya Makabe and Hitoshi Ono who start together for the fifth test in a row this season. Jones has also kept his backrow intact for the third test in a row with Toshiba’s Yuta Mochizuki on the blindside, Takamichi Sasaki on the openside and Michael Leitch at No8. Leitch and former Tokai University team mate Kizu are the youngest players in the pack for Japan at 23 years of age but both are at the heart of the build up for the assault on the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England and beyond to Japan in 2019.

In the backs, Atsushi Hiwasais another young player with a big future ahead of him at halfback as he lines up for his thirteenth cap and his second test against Fiji after starting in the dramatic 24-13 win over the Flying Fijians in Lautoka last year that saw Japan win the IRB Pacific Nations Cup for the first time. Outside him, Jones has kept faith with five-eighth Kosei Ono starting him in the play-making role in all five tests to date this season. At 171cm and 81kg Ono is comparatively small in the modern game but he cut his teeth on New Zealand rugby growing up in Christchurch and he also has the big experience of starting at No.10 against Australia in the 2007 Rugby World Cup to call on. The bigger, more physical Tatekawa is back at inside centre to partner Tomohiro Sembain the mid field, while Hirotoki Onozawa on the left wing for test number 72 edges ever so much closer to the Japan cap record currently held by former centre Yukio Motoki on 79 caps. Toshiaki Hirose will captain Japan from the right wing with Ayumu Goromaru playing at fullback can again be expected to carry the goal kicking duties.

On the bench, Ryuhei Aritais the second hooker and Hiroshi Yamashita the reserve prop while Shoji Ito and the recalled Kikutani are both versatile players able to cover the rest of the forward positions. After starting in the first three tests this season halfback Jun Fujii hands the starting role to Hiwasa as he waits his turn on the bench for this test against Fiji. With Koji Taira still on the recovery list and with Go Aruga ruled out injury, Nicholas had a late call-up to the squad after originally standing down from international rugby at the completion of the RWC in New Zealand last year. However, Nicholas, along with Taira and Aruga all played under Jones at Suntory last season and the coach has obviously convinced Nicholas his services are once again required at this level. Yasunori Nagatomo completes the bench.

Last year in Lautoka Japan broke a nine game losing streak against Fiji with the previous win for Japan coming way back in 1994 when current assistant coach Masahiro Kunda was hooker and captain and Motoki was in the early stages of his long career. Eleven months ago Japan beat Fiji 24-13 at Churchill Park in Lautoka to pull off an incredible win and lift the Pacific Nations Cup trophy for the first time. Tonga were in the box seat going into the final game as Japan had the onerous task of beating Fiji at home with a bonus point to deny the ‘Ikale Tahi and as things turned out, that is exactly how things turned out.

In a dramatic, if not contentious result, Japan indeed went on to not only win the test but pick up that crucial four try bonus point as replacement centre Yuta Imamura crossed the whitewash for the much needed try well into extended injury time. In an ongoing display of ill-discipline, the Fijians were their own worst enemy at times as they failed to adjust to the requirements of the match officials with the result being that the home side suffered two red cards and three yellow cards throughout the match. In the final throes of the game Fiji were playing with only twelve men as they tried to hold out Japan who were desperately seeking that elusive fourth try and in the end they just could not prevent the Japanese from scoring and taking the PNC crown for the first time.

Thus, in certain quarters, this test in Nagoya can be seen as grudge match but a lot of water has flown under the bridge for both sides as these respective nations look to open their account with a win.

Fiji too have brought in a new coach with Inoke Male replacing Samu Domoni. The two year tenure of Domoni came to an abrupt end in New Zealand last autumn when Fiji finished a disappointing fourth in Pool D with humbling losses to Wales, Samoa and South Africa with their only win the 49-25 victory against Namibia in their opening game. Male represented Fiji at the 1999 RWC, but this time last year was coaching the Fiji U20 side at the Junior World Championship where the young Fijians had their best ever tournament when they finished sixth, including wins over Wales and Italy. The former number eight was officially appointed head coach on 13 January 2012 by the Fiji Rugby Union with his appointment running for four years through to the next World Cup in England in 2015. Male played his domestic rugby in Fiji with the Navy with the former naval officer making his debut against Australia in 1998 at the age 35. He went on to play 22 games for Fiji, including 15 tests with one test against Japan in the 47-22 win in Tokyo in May 2000.

There are very few survivors in the starting line-ups on either side from when these two countries last met in July last year with Kizu, Leitch, Hiwasa and Onozawa the only players for Japan in the run-on side again while for Fiji props Graham Dewes and Setefano Somoca are the only ones for Fiji. Both teams also have new coaches with Eddie Jones replacing John Kirwan for Japan while for Fiji Inoke Male replaces Samu Domoni.

Elsewhere for Fiji, Viliame Veikoso joins the World Cup pair of Dewes and Somoca in an imposing front row while locks Apisai Naikatini and Leone Nakarawa will have height over their opposite numbers. Iliesa Ratuvaand Malakai Ravulo are the flankers with Netani Talei at No8 is the captain of Fiji in this series. Nikola Matawalu is the halfback while test debutant Setareki Koroilagilagi will try to get the Flying Fijians moving from the play-making position. Aisake Katonibau will partner Vereniki Goneva in the centres with the latter one of only a handful of Fijians back after the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year while the back three consists of two massive wingers Watisoni Votu and Waisea Nayacalevu with Isimeli Koniferedi at fullback.

Wrap-up

Five-eighth Kosei Ono kicked off deep for Japan to get the game going with his side getting early possession from a poor Fijian clearing kick. Japan stayed deep in Fijian territory over the opening minutes and from an early penalty halfback Atsushi Hiwasa took a quick tap to keep Japan on the front foot but when another penalty was awarded soon after sense prevailed and fullback Ayumu Goromaru stepped up to kick the first points in the test.

In the ninth minute Fiji were penalised for being offside at the breakdown and this gave the ever reliable Goromaru the chance to add three more points to help the home side out to a 6-0 lead. However, as the game settled down Fiji started to get their hands on more ball and this brought a breakdown penalty in the 14^th minute though unfortunately the long range 48 metre kick dropped short. In the 18^th minute it was Goromaru’s turn for a shot at penalty from 48 metres out after Fiji were penalised for using hands in a ruck and he landed the kick for a 9-nil lead.

Then on the 20 minute mark, big centre Aisake Katonibau was put into a gap and at pace he was all but impossible for fullback Goromaru to bring down as he scooted in for the opening try. Five-eighth Setareki Koroilagilagi added the extras to narrow the difference to 9-7. Fiji were nearly in again a few minutes later when Japan failed to find touch from a penalty with giant right wing Waisea Nayacalevu running the ball back before chipping but was beaten to the bobbling ball in goal by the smallest man on the field in Japan halfback Atsushi Hiwasa.

Not to be put off, Nayacalevu got his name on the scoreboard in his first test for Fiji on the half hour mark after he finished off a period of sustained pressure in which Fiji seemed to be playing Sevens rather than regular fifteens rugby. Koroilagilagi kicked the conversion to push out the score to 14-9.

The first fifteen minutes belonged to Japan but the next fifteen belonged to Fiji as the much bigger Fijians used their size advantage in open space to punish the Japanese defence. Nevertheless, Japan kept their composure and looked good when they did have the ball but unforced errors often brought promising movements undone. The hosts had the final chance in the first half to post points as they camped on the Fiji try line but eventually a knock-on well after the hooter had sounded brought an end to the half with Fiji taking a 14-9 lead with them into the sheds.

Fiji kicked off the second half and were immediately handed back possession when Japan failed to take the kick-off cleanly. A penalty to Fiji followed in quick succession and Koroilagilagi made sure of his kick to give the visitors a 17-9 advantage. In the fourth minute of the half Fiji were penalised for not releasing the player in a tackle and this allowed the confident Goromaru to kick his fourth penalty of the game.

Koroilagilagi had the chance to restore the eight point lead for Fiji with a penalty shot in the 46^th minute but he failed to raise the flags from the straightforward kick. From then on though, Fiji kept up the pressure on Japan with play concentrated in the Japanese half and Fiji eventually turned this pressure into points with a penalty after Hiwasa was penalised for slapping down a Fiji pass.

As the hour mark rocked around, 196cm left wing Watisoni Votu snatched the ball in mid air from a high kick and fed the ball on to centre Vereniki Goneva who wove some magic of his own to run away for the third Fijian try of the evening to put Fiji out to a commanding 25-12 lead with twenty minutes to play.

Not long after, Japan responded with kind when the forwards were awarded a penalty try after Fiji came in on the side of a rolling maul in an attempt to prevent the try. Irish referee John Lacey had none of it and ran under the posts to award the try and Goromaru kicked the easy conversion from in front to narrow the difference to 25-19.

In the 32^nd minute of the second half Koroilagilagi attempted a long penalty kick from 48 metres out but it flew to the left of the posts leaving Japan with a chance of snatching the game. However, when Japan were penalised at a scrum on their own feed Fiji went on the front foot in an all out effort to close out the game. The attack broke down in front of the Japanese posts but Fiji were awarded the scrum but from the ensuing play the Japan defence held forcing a Japanese scrum. This left Japan 90 metres to run with a minute on the clock but when Goromaru grounded the ball Fiji put the ball into touch from the final scrum of the test to take victory 25-19.

On the ground immediately after the close of play, Japan captain Toshiaki Hirose said, “It was a physical game as we expected but we had a chance at the end, but unfortunately we could not take it. We tried to play in our ‘Japan Way” and I would like to thank the fans for their support.”

Fiji captain Netani Talei said, “It was very much physical for us and Japan tried to play wide. We tried to match the physicality and I am proud of the boys. It was very important to get a first win as we have to play Tonga and Samoa next and they will be physical games too.”

Japan head coach Eddie Jones said, “We’ve had a terrific preparation but they were a strong team. We had a chance at the end but sound not take it. We defended well but could not move the ball the way we wanted and that was probably down to some of the young boys being a bit nervous. We want to play a Japanese style of rugby and we have to learn to cope with the physicality of games like this.”

Other Round 1Games

Samoa 20 d Tonga 18

Date: Tuesday 5 June 2012.
Venue: Mizuho Park Rugby Ground, Nagoya.
Kick-off: 5:10 PM, local Japan time.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).
Attendance:
Halftime: Tonga 9 – Samoa 6.
Yellow Card: Alaska Taufa (Tonga No.11, 2 min 1H, interfering with player without ball).
PNC Match Points: Samoa 4, Tonga 1.
Samoa 20 – Tries: Nalu Tuigamala, David Lemi; Conversions: Ki Anufe 2; Penalties: Ki Anufe 2 d.
Tonga 18 – Penalties: Kurt Morath 6.

Preview

In the opening game of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012 Tonga play Samoa at the Mizuho Park Rugby Ground in Nagoya on Tuesday 5 June 2012. Samoa beat their Pacific neighbours in the first five years of the PNC, but all that changed last year when Tonga came up trumps 29-19 in Lautoka. Tonga also beat Fiji and after a one point loss to Japan had one hand on the title before Japan snatched it away with a last gasp bonus point win over Fiji. The tiny kingdom of Tonga then went on to beat France 19-14 in their pool game at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in one of their greatest wins ever but with a new year rolling around they will have to start all over again and Samoa will be out for revenge after the loss last year. In typical Pacific island rugby style, no quarter will be given by either side in Nagoya in what will be a neutral venue for both teams. In this early post-RWC period Tonga and Samoa are looking to rebuild for the future and a first up win will fit the bill nicely.

Wrap-up

Lolo Lui kicked off for Samoa to get the IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012 underway and with only two minutes on the clock Tongan left wing Alaska Taufa was sinbinned by referee Wayne Barnes in his 40^th international for interfering with a player without the ball but when he returned to the field ten minutes later the scores were locked at 3-all care of a penalty to Samoan centre Ki Anufe and Tongan No.10 Kurt Morath. Morath extended the lead to 6-3 on the 20 minute mark before missing relatively easy penalties five and then eight minutes later. A lot of the first half was played between the 22s with Tonga using their slight edge in experience with a collective 110 caps to 80 for Samoa to maintain more than their share on possession and territory. In the 34^th minute another Samoan breakdown penalty presented Morath with a chance for points and this time he made no mistake to make it 9-3. Anufe had the opportunity to narrow the gap with a penalty in the 37^thminute but he failed to raise the flags. However, on the stroke of halftime he was given another chance and his successful kick took the sides to the break with Tonga leading 9-6.

Early in the second half Samoa found themselves deep in Tongan territory and when halfback Nalu Tuigamala charged down a Morath clearing kick he was on the spot to ground the ball for the opening try of the match. Anufe added the extras to put Samoa out to a 13-9 lead. However, Morath redeemed himself with his fourth penalty a few minutes later to peg the score back to 13-12. In the 49^th minute wing David Lemi captaining Manu Samoa for the first time in his 30^th test got a good bounce from a kick through to score the second try for Samoa. Anufe again kicked the conversion to stretch the lead to 20-12. In the 54^th minute Morath stepped up to land another three points from a Samoan tackle penalty to make it 20-15. Then again a few minutes later he landed a long range penalty to close the gap to two points. In the 65^th minute Morath had the chance to put his side back in front with yet another penalty but the kick from out wide sailed outside the posts. Inside the final five minutes, with Samoa holding onto a two point lead Lemi handed the ball to Anufe to attempt a penalty from his side of halfway. The kick fell short leaving Tongan with crucial possession until a mid-field knock-on took the pressure off and Samoa wound down the clock down to claim a 20-18 win.

Tonga: 1- Viliami Pola, 2- Ilaisa Ma’asi, 3- Kisi Pulu, 4- Joseph Tuineau, 5- Joshua Afu, 6- Sitiveni Mafi, 7- Sione Vaiomounga, 8- Paula Kaho, 9- Taniela Moa (c), 10- Kurt Morath, 11- Alaska Taufa, 12-‘Alipate Fatafehi, 13- Mafileo Kefu, 14- Damien Fakafanua and 15- Viliame Iongi.

Reserves: 16- Tevita Mailau, 17- Sila Puafisi, 18- ‘Osaiasi Pepa Koloamatangi, 19- Viliami Faingaa, 20- Tomasi Palu, 21- Siale Piutau and 22- Joseph Vaka.

Head Coach: Toutai Kefu.

Samoa: 1- Sakaria Taulafo, 2- Steve Fualau, 3- Logovii Mulipola, 4- Faatiga Lemalu, 5-Maselino Paulino, 6- Daniel Chricton, 7- Afa Aiono, 8- Ben Masoe, 9- Nalu Tuigamala, 10- Lolo Lui, 11- David Lemi (c), 12- Ki Anufe, 13- Alvin Tavana, 14- Ken Pisi and 15- Faatoina Autagavaia.

Reserves: 16- Ole Avei, 17- Viliamu Afatia, 18- Misioka Timoteo, 19- Alafoti Faosiliva, 20- Jeremy Sua, 21- Paul Perez and 22- Patrick Fa’apale.

Head Coach: Stephen Betham (40).

Tonga v Samoa at the PNC
05 June 2012, Samoa 20 d Tonga 18, Nagoya.
13 June 2011, Tonga 29 d Samoa 19, Lautoka.
12 June 2010, Samoa 24 d Tonga 23, Apia.
23 June 2009, Samoa 27 d Tonga 13, Lautoka.
28 June 2008, Samoa 20 d Tonga 15, Nuku’alofa.
23 June 2007, Samoa 50 d Tonga 3, Apia.
01 July 2006, Samoa 36 d Tonga 0, Gosford.

IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012 Table

Team	P	W	L	F	A	+/-	BP1	BP2	Pts
Fiji	1	1	0	25	19	6	-	-	4
Samoa	1	1	0	20	18	2	-	-	4
Tonga	1	0	1	18	20	-2	-	1	1
Japan	1	0	1	19	25	-6	-	1	1

Four points for win, two points for draw, one bonus point for scoring four tries or more and one for losing by seven points or less.

IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012 Point Scorers

Name (Country)	T	C	P	Total
Kurt Morath (TGA)	-	-	6	18
Ayumu Goromaru (JPN)	-	1	4	14
Ki Anufe (SAM)	-	2	2	10
Setareki Koroilagilagi (FIJ)	-	2	2	10
Nalu Tuigamala (SAM)	1	-	-	5
David Lemi (SAM)	1	-	-	5
Aisake Katonibau (FIJ)	1	-	-	5
Waisea Nayacalevu (FIJ)	1	-	-	5
Vereniki Goneva (FIJ)	1	-	-	5

NB: Japan were awarded a penalty try against Fiji.