Test Match No. 102: Fiji National Rugby Union Team's first visit to Japan, game 3

日本語 Photo Journal
4 March 1990 at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium
●Japan 6-32 Fiji○
Great insight for Japan for the RWC qualifiers
 
Data:
05/03/90
Japan 6 Fiji 32
Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground, Tokyo
Half-time: 0-16
Referee: William Derek Bevan (Wales)
Touch Judges: Noboru Mashimo (Japan), Naoki Saito (Japan)
Crowd: 25,000
 
JAPAN: 15 Toshitsugu Yamamoto, 14 Nohomuli Taumoefolau (21 Tadashi Goda 59), 13 Eiji Kutsuki, 12 Seiji Hiaro (capt), 11 Yoshihito Yoshida, 10 Shinobu Aoki, 9 Masami Horikoshi, 8 Sinali Latu, 7 Shuji Nakashima, 6 Hiroyuki Kajihara, 5 Ekeroma Tifaga Lauaiufi (17 Kazuaki Takahashi 58), 4 Atushi Oyagi, 3 Masanori Takura, 2 Tsuyoshi Fujita, 1 Osamu Ota.
Reserves: 16 Masahiro Kunda, 18 Hirofumi Ouchi, 19 Narihiro Watanabe, 20 Kojiro Yoshinaga.
Try: Yoshida; Conversion: Yamamoto.
 
FIJI: 15 Waisale Serevi, 14 Niko Baleiverata, 13 Tevita Vonolagi, 12 Noa Nadruku, 11 Luke Erenavula, 10 Vuata Naresia (20 Elia Rokowailoa 71), 9 Pauliasi Tabulutu, 8 Ifereimi Tawake, 7 Ilivasi Tamanivalu, 6 Alivereti Dere, 5 Timoci Wainiqolo, 4 Ilaitia Savai (capt), 3 Sairusi Naituku, 2 Alipate Rabitu (18 Dranivesi Baleiwai 76), 1 Mosese Taga.
Reserves: 16 Kolinio Rakoroi, 17 Ilisoni Naituku, 19 Lekima Vasuvulagi, 21 Mosese Natuilagilagi.
Tries: Serevi (2), Vonolagi, Erenavula, Waingolo, Nadruku; Conversions: Serevi (4).
 
Scoring sequence (Japan's score shown first): 5min-pen Fiji, Vonolagi (missed), 9min-pen Japan, Yamamoto (missed), 14min-pen Japan, Yamamoto (missed), 19min-try Fiji, Erenavula; conv. Serevi-0-6, 25min-pen Japan, Yamamoto (missed), 26min-try Fiji, Serevi; conv. Serevi-0-12, 34min-drop goal Fiji, Vonolagi (missed), 36min-try Fiji, Vonolagi; conv. Serevi (missed)-0-16, Half-time, 43min-try Fiji, Serevi; conv. Serevi-0-22, 60min-try Fiji, Wainiqolo; conv. Serevi (missed)-0-26, 74min-try Fiji, Nadruku; conv. Serevi-0-32, 81min-try Japan, Yoshida; conv. Yamamoto-6-32.
 


With the Asia-Pacific qualifiers for the second Rugby World Cup in one months time, Japan invited Fiji to have a test match for a tune up. Fiji was in the top eight in the previous World Cup and has already gained a spot for this time. Fiji smashed Japan 6-32 and proved itself to be a tough opponent. However, Japan got great insight for the qualifiers. It was not that Japan did not attack well, but Fiji's defence was brilliant. Japan wanted to open the scoring in the first twenty minutes or so, but this didn't happen, and they made a mistake which gave an opportunity to the opponent instead.