Test Match No. 256: The 5th IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2010, game 1

日本語 Photo
12 June 2010 in Lautoka
●Japan 8-22 Fiji○
Lost to Fiji once again
 
Data:
12/06/2010, 2010 IRB Pacific Nations Cup
Japan 8 Fiji 22
Churchill Park, Lautoka, Fiji
Half-time: 0-3
Referee: George John Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: 1st James Bolabiu (Fiji), 2nd Samuela Tuidraki (Fiji)
Crowd: 5,600
 
JAPAN: 15 Kaoru Matsushita, 14 Alisi Tupuailei, 13 Koji Taira (22 Hirotoki Onozawa 56), 12 Ryan Nicholas, 11 Kosuke Endo, 10 Shaun Webb (21 James Arlidge 60), 9 Fumiaki Tanaka (20 Koji Wada 73), 8 Takashi Kikutani (capt), 7 Touetsu Taufa, 6 Michael Leich (19 Ryukoliniasi Holani temp-bs 32-2nd Half 40 and 56), 5 Luke Thompson (18 Toshizumi Kitagawa temp-bs 19-20 and 60), 4 Hitoshi Ono, 3 Shinsuke Nakamura, 2 Shota Horie (16 Hiroki Yuhara 77), 1 Hisateru Hirashima (17 Naoki Kawamata 60).
Try: Kikutani; Penalty Goal: Nicholas.
 
FIJI: 15 Jaoji Dakuvula, 14 Timoci Nagusa (22 Elia Malakai Radekedike 65), 13 Rapate Ratu (21 Epeli Ruivadra 68), 12 Iliesa Keresoni, 11 Namani Nadolo, 10 Jonetani Ralulu, 9 Nikola Matawalu (20 Emosi Vucago 77), 8 Kelevi Rokoua Ketedromo, 7 Jim Naikadawa (19 Samu Bolataga Tuapatu temp-bs 16-28 and 41), 6 Rupeni Nasiga (18 Anthony Wise 65), 5 Dominiko Waqaniburotu (capt), 4 Sekonaia Kalou, 3 Alefoso Yalayalatabua, 2 Viliame Veikoso (16 Talemaitoga 56), 1 Campese Ma'afu (17 Graham Dews 70).
Tries: Matawalu, Nagusa, Keresoni; Conversions: Dakuvula (2); Penalty Goal: Dakuvula.
 
Scoring sequence (Japan's score shown first): 4min-pen Fiji, Dakuvula-0-3, 17min-pen Fiji, Dakuvula (missed), 26min-pen Japan, Webb (missed), 29min-pen Japan, Webb (missed), 34min-pen Fiji, Dakuvula (missed), Half-time, 41min-pen Japan, Webb (missed), 49min-try Fiji, Matawalu; conv. Dakuvula-0-10, 55min-try Fiji, Nagusa; conv. Dakuvula-0-17, 59min-pen Japan, Nicholas-3-17, 72min-try Japan, Kikutani; conv. Nicholas (missed)-8-17, 76min-try Fiji, Keresoni; conv. Dakuvula (missed)-8-22.
 


Fiji was brilliant on this day. I have never seen Fiji attack so fast and furiously at a breakdown. Although Japan were also striving, they fell one step behind against the pressure they received in the scrum. Japan became unsynchronized just before the referee called to ‘engage', and got pushed out by the opponent. Losing the game without being able to make corrections is a problem that needs to be solved. Japan was done in by Fiji's two counterattacks. However, although they lost, Japan is getting stronger and tougher. The old Japan would have broken down in a much worse way. If they can build the game pre-emptively, Fiji will come within reach.