Test Match No. 119: Fiji National Rugby Union Team's second visit to Japan, game 3

日本語 Photo Journal
8 May 1994 at Ehime Prefectural Sports Park Stadium
○Japan 24-18 Fiji●
Japan made an accomplishment in beating Fiji
 
Data:
08/05/94, 1st Test
Japan 24 Fiji 18
Comprehensive Athletic Park Track and Field Ground, Ehime Prefecture
Half-time: 9-13
Referee: Pearse Higgins (Canada)
Touch Judges: Akio Ichikawa (Japan), Nobuaki Tanaka (Japan)
Crowd: 15,000
 
JAPAN: 15 Kiyoshi Imaizumi, 14 Terunori Masuho, 13 Eiji Kutsuki, 12 Yukio Motoki, 11 Yoshihito Yoshida, 10 Katsuhiro Matsuo, 9 Hideki Nishida, 8 Sione Latu, 7 Sinali Latu, 6 Hiroyuki Kajihara, 5 Takashi Akatsuka, 4 Bruce Ferguson, 3 Masanori Takura, 2 Masahiro Kunda (capt), 1 Osamu Ota.
Reserves: 16 Yasunobu Sato, 17 Kazuaki Takahashi, 18 Yoshihiko Sakuraba, 19 Yoji Nagatomo, 20 Mitsuo Fujikake, 21 Tsutomu Matsuda.
Tries: Nishida (2), Masuho; Penalty Goals: Matsuo (3).
 
FIJI: 15 Ilaisa Saukuru, 14 Manasa Sisiwa (18 Joeli Vidiri 60), 13 Savenaca Aria, 12 Esala Nauga, 11 Patiliai Tuidraki, 10 Apisai Mucunabitu, 9 Samisoni Rabaka Nasagavesi, 8 Ifereimi Tawake (capt), 7 Alifereti Mocelutu Vuivau, 6 Jonas Campbell, 5 Ilaitia Savai, 4 Maka Kafoa, 3 Gabrieli Penjueli, 2 Eminoni Batimala, 1 Sekobe Sadria.
Reserves: 16 Napolioni Vitau, 17 Jose Thomas, 19 Livai Rasala, 20 Sitiveni Matalulu, 21 Marika Korovou.
Tries: Batimala, Sisiwa, Vidiri; Penalty Goal: Tawake.
 
Scoring sequence (Japan's score shown first): 8min-pen Japan, Matsuo-3-0, 13min-pen Japan, Matsuo-6-0, 19min-try Fiji, Batimala; conv. Saukuru (missed)-6-5, 22min-try Fiji, Sisiwa; conv. Saukuru (missed)-6-10, 25min-pen Fiji, Tawake-6-13, 28min-pen Fiji, Mucunabitu (missed), 37min-pen Japan, Matsuo (missed), 39min-pen Japan, Matsuo (missed), 41min-pen Japan, Matsuo-9-13, Half-time, 41min-pen Japan, Matsuo (missed), 42min-pen Japan, Matsuo (missed), 49min-try Japan, Masuho; conv. Imaizumi (missed)-14-13, 62min-try Japan, Nishida; conv. Imaizumi (missed)-19-13, 70min-try Fiji, Vidiri; conv. Saukuru (missed)-19-18, 76min-try Japan, Nishida; conv. Matsuo (missed)-24-18.
 


Japan defeated Fiji for the first time in their third match-up. It is a great achievement for Japan to beat Fiji, for they have advanced to the quarter-finals in the World Cup, and the way they handle the ball freely is internationally renowned as “Fijian magic”. Matsuo scored penalties in the 8th and 13th minute to give Japan a 6-0 lead. Fiji scored tries in the 19th and 22th minute to turn the game around to 6-10. One more penalty each was awarded before the break, 9-13. Matsuo scored a try in the 9th minute of the second half, 14-13. Nishida made a quick attack from the penalty kick and jumped in to score a try in the 22nd minute. Fiji scored a try in the 30th minute to narrow the gap to only one point, 19-18. However, Japan scored another try in the 36th minute to seal a 24-18 win. Japan's defence, which conceded only three tries to Fiji, contributed to this win..