日本語 Photo Journal
23 October 2021: G: Showa Denko Dome (Oita); R: Paul Williams (NZ)
●Japan 23-32 Australia○
Data:
23/10/2021, Challenge Cup 2021
Japan – Australia
Showa-Denko Dome , Oita pre
Half-time -
Refree: Paul Williams (NZ)
Crowd:
JAPAN: 15 Semisi Masirewa (22 Yu Tamura 48), 14 Lomano Lava Lemeki (23 Dylan Riley 58), 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 10 Rikiya Matsuda, 9 Yutaka Nagare (21 Naoto Saito 63), 8 Kazuki Himeno (20 Tevita Tatafu 69), 7 Pieter Labuschagne (capt), 6 Ben Gunter (19 Yoshitaka Tokunaga 48), 5 James Moore, 4 Jack Cornelsen, 3 Jiwon Koo (18 Asaeli Ai Valu 69), 2 Atsushi Sakate (16 Yusuke Niwai 69), 1 Keita Inagaki (17 Craig Millar 48).
Reserves:
Coach: Jamie Joseph.
Tries: Lomano Lava Lemeki, Ryoto Nakamura; Conversions: Rikiya Matsuda, Yu Tamura; Penalty Goals: Rikiya Matsuda(2), Yu Tamura.
Yellow Cards: Lomano Lava Lemeki (48, sin-bin)
Australia: 15 Reece Hodge (23 Jordan Petaia 14), 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Quade Cooper (22 James O’Connor 74), 9 Nic White (21 Tate McDermott 63), 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Rob Leota (20 Pete Samu 57), 5 Mat Philip (19 Darcy Swain 52), 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou (18 Allan Alaalatoa 52), 2 Folau Finga’a (16 Connal McInerney 70), 1 James Slipper (17 Angus Bell 52)
Reserves:
Coach: Dave Rennie
Tries: Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota, Connal McInerney; Conversions: Quade Cooper (2); Penalty Goals: Quade Cooper.
Yellow Cards:
Scoring sequence (Japan’s score shown first): 7min-try Australia, Tom Wright -0-5; conv. Quade Cooper-0-7, 16min-pg Japan, Rikiya Matsuda-3-7, 22min-try Australia, Jordan Petaia -3-12; conv. Quade Cooper-3-14, 26min-try Japan, Lomano Lava Lemeki-8-14; conv. Rikiya Matsuda-10-14, 33min-pg Japan, Rikiya Matsuda-13-14, 41min-pg Australia, Quade Cooper-13-17, 42min-try Australia, Taniela Tupou-13-22; conv. Quade Cooper (missed)-13-22, 50min-try Australia, Rob Leota-13-27; conv. Quade Cooper (missed)-13-27, 54min-pg Japan, Rikiya Matsuda (missed)-13-27, 55min-try Japan, Ryoto Nakamura-18-27; conv. Yu Tamura-20-27, 69min-pg Australia, Quade Cooper (missed)-20-27, 74min-pg Japan, Yu Tamura-23-27, 78min-tray Australia, Connal McInerney-23-32; conv. James O’Connor (missed)-23-32
Japan faced Australia at a test match held in Japan for the first time in two years since the 2019 World Cup. The Wallabies came to Japan after winning their fourth straight victory at the Rugby Championship held in the southern hemisphere against South Africa and Argentina. This test match against the Wallabies raised expectations as to how far the Brave Blossoms could go.
Australia was quite offensive with FWs and BKs from early in the first half. Given the advantage from the time of Japan’s collapsing penalty, Quade Cooper, the Australian SO, threw a wonderful off-load pass to Tom Write, WTB, who led the Wallabies to the go-ahead score in the 7th minute of 7-0. Japan had tenacious DFs this day trying to bring to a close game, and the PG made by Matsuda brought 3three points to Japan in the 16th minute making the score 7-3. But Japan struggled with many penalties they made. In the 21st minute, Australia penetrated deep into the Japan’s zone with a long touch kick, which resulted in the formation of an advantageous maul. As a result, Australian WTB, Jordan Petaia, dove into the in-goal area making the score 14-3. But in two minutes, Japan made a successful try. Winning the ball after the kick-off, Japan quickly gained phases until they reached the Australian goal line. Then Japan’s SO, Matsuda, got the ball out of the ruck and made a great kick pass toward the right, and Lemeki caught this pass who fended off an Australian defender which resulted in a try in the right corner. Matsuda also converted, making the score 14-10. Gunter, the Australian FL, failed to make a Jackal turnover resulting in a penalty in the 33rd minute, and then Matsuda made a successful PG. The score then became 14-13. But Japan had several penalties right before half time, resulting in giving an easy PG to Australia. The first half ended with a score of 17-13.
In the second minute of the second half, Australian No. 8 brought the ball into the blind side from a line-out taken on the right side. The Australian front rows skillfully controlled the ball, and finally set the stage for a successful try made by No. 3, Taniela Tupou. The score became 22-13. When Masirewa’s kick was charged in the 10th minute, Japan allowed Australia to push to a position in front of the Japan’s goal line. Japan managed to ward off Australian attacks with a tackle, but also committed some penalties. This finally resulted in allowing Rob Leota to make a try, making the score 27-13. During this process, Lemeki got a yellow card for a high tackle and sent to the sin bin. This reduced Japan to 14 men. In the 15th minute where everybody thought Australia would take total control, Japanese CTB, Ryoto Nakamura, made a big play. At first, Australia produced an advantageous phase after several rucks, started to attack toward the open space in the left, when Cooper attempted to make a cut pass. This was what Nakamura was setting his sights on. He intercepted this pass and cruised to the goal without any resistance by Australian players. Tamura also converted, making the score 27-20. Japan then got the momentum and pushed harder with a scrum which was on the back foot, trying to develop a quick attack. But they were away from scoring due to mistakes and penalties. In the 34th minute, Japan finally scored with Tamura’s successful PG from a spot more than 40 metres away, cutting the lead to 4, 27-23. Spectators in the stadium as well as TV viewers and supporters must have expected a giant-killing moment for the first time against Australia. Taking advantage of their inherent physical strength, Japan continued to attack with great tackles, and it could be clearly seen that the Wallabies became more fatigued minute by minute. Tokunaga who came at the midway point of the second half was also active all over the field, and his interception at one point raised Japan’s chances and expectations for a big win. But Japan killed this opportunity with a penalty. Australia then got closer to the Japan’s end line while their FWs pushed with great strength with a line-out maul to get the finishing try, making the score 32-23. This play brought an end to the game.
In the past, everybody must have praised what Japan did and said: “They did a good job, it was so close, we almost beat Australia.” But it was not the case this time. At an online press conference after the game, “We lost. So, it was not a good game,” said Inagaki. National Team Director, Fujii, strongly stated: “No one in our team is satisfied with a mere good game.” Their comments created a lot of expectations for the following tour in Europe.
23 October 2021: G: Showa Denko Dome (Oita); R: Paul Williams (NZ)
●Japan 23-32 Australia○
Data:
23/10/2021, Challenge Cup 2021
Japan – Australia
Showa-Denko Dome , Oita pre
Half-time -
Refree: Paul Williams (NZ)
Crowd:
JAPAN: 15 Semisi Masirewa (22 Yu Tamura 48), 14 Lomano Lava Lemeki (23 Dylan Riley 58), 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Siosaia Fifita, 10 Rikiya Matsuda, 9 Yutaka Nagare (21 Naoto Saito 63), 8 Kazuki Himeno (20 Tevita Tatafu 69), 7 Pieter Labuschagne (capt), 6 Ben Gunter (19 Yoshitaka Tokunaga 48), 5 James Moore, 4 Jack Cornelsen, 3 Jiwon Koo (18 Asaeli Ai Valu 69), 2 Atsushi Sakate (16 Yusuke Niwai 69), 1 Keita Inagaki (17 Craig Millar 48).
Reserves:
Coach: Jamie Joseph.
Tries: Lomano Lava Lemeki, Ryoto Nakamura; Conversions: Rikiya Matsuda, Yu Tamura; Penalty Goals: Rikiya Matsuda(2), Yu Tamura.
Yellow Cards: Lomano Lava Lemeki (48, sin-bin)
Australia: 15 Reece Hodge (23 Jordan Petaia 14), 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Quade Cooper (22 James O’Connor 74), 9 Nic White (21 Tate McDermott 63), 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Rob Leota (20 Pete Samu 57), 5 Mat Philip (19 Darcy Swain 52), 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou (18 Allan Alaalatoa 52), 2 Folau Finga’a (16 Connal McInerney 70), 1 James Slipper (17 Angus Bell 52)
Reserves:
Coach: Dave Rennie
Tries: Tom Wright, Jordan Petaia, Taniela Tupou, Rob Leota, Connal McInerney; Conversions: Quade Cooper (2); Penalty Goals: Quade Cooper.
Yellow Cards:
Scoring sequence (Japan’s score shown first): 7min-try Australia, Tom Wright -0-5; conv. Quade Cooper-0-7, 16min-pg Japan, Rikiya Matsuda-3-7, 22min-try Australia, Jordan Petaia -3-12; conv. Quade Cooper-3-14, 26min-try Japan, Lomano Lava Lemeki-8-14; conv. Rikiya Matsuda-10-14, 33min-pg Japan, Rikiya Matsuda-13-14, 41min-pg Australia, Quade Cooper-13-17, 42min-try Australia, Taniela Tupou-13-22; conv. Quade Cooper (missed)-13-22, 50min-try Australia, Rob Leota-13-27; conv. Quade Cooper (missed)-13-27, 54min-pg Japan, Rikiya Matsuda (missed)-13-27, 55min-try Japan, Ryoto Nakamura-18-27; conv. Yu Tamura-20-27, 69min-pg Australia, Quade Cooper (missed)-20-27, 74min-pg Japan, Yu Tamura-23-27, 78min-tray Australia, Connal McInerney-23-32; conv. James O’Connor (missed)-23-32
Japan faced Australia at a test match held in Japan for the first time in two years since the 2019 World Cup. The Wallabies came to Japan after winning their fourth straight victory at the Rugby Championship held in the southern hemisphere against South Africa and Argentina. This test match against the Wallabies raised expectations as to how far the Brave Blossoms could go.
Australia was quite offensive with FWs and BKs from early in the first half. Given the advantage from the time of Japan’s collapsing penalty, Quade Cooper, the Australian SO, threw a wonderful off-load pass to Tom Write, WTB, who led the Wallabies to the go-ahead score in the 7th minute of 7-0. Japan had tenacious DFs this day trying to bring to a close game, and the PG made by Matsuda brought 3three points to Japan in the 16th minute making the score 7-3. But Japan struggled with many penalties they made. In the 21st minute, Australia penetrated deep into the Japan’s zone with a long touch kick, which resulted in the formation of an advantageous maul. As a result, Australian WTB, Jordan Petaia, dove into the in-goal area making the score 14-3. But in two minutes, Japan made a successful try. Winning the ball after the kick-off, Japan quickly gained phases until they reached the Australian goal line. Then Japan’s SO, Matsuda, got the ball out of the ruck and made a great kick pass toward the right, and Lemeki caught this pass who fended off an Australian defender which resulted in a try in the right corner. Matsuda also converted, making the score 14-10. Gunter, the Australian FL, failed to make a Jackal turnover resulting in a penalty in the 33rd minute, and then Matsuda made a successful PG. The score then became 14-13. But Japan had several penalties right before half time, resulting in giving an easy PG to Australia. The first half ended with a score of 17-13.
In the second minute of the second half, Australian No. 8 brought the ball into the blind side from a line-out taken on the right side. The Australian front rows skillfully controlled the ball, and finally set the stage for a successful try made by No. 3, Taniela Tupou. The score became 22-13. When Masirewa’s kick was charged in the 10th minute, Japan allowed Australia to push to a position in front of the Japan’s goal line. Japan managed to ward off Australian attacks with a tackle, but also committed some penalties. This finally resulted in allowing Rob Leota to make a try, making the score 27-13. During this process, Lemeki got a yellow card for a high tackle and sent to the sin bin. This reduced Japan to 14 men. In the 15th minute where everybody thought Australia would take total control, Japanese CTB, Ryoto Nakamura, made a big play. At first, Australia produced an advantageous phase after several rucks, started to attack toward the open space in the left, when Cooper attempted to make a cut pass. This was what Nakamura was setting his sights on. He intercepted this pass and cruised to the goal without any resistance by Australian players. Tamura also converted, making the score 27-20. Japan then got the momentum and pushed harder with a scrum which was on the back foot, trying to develop a quick attack. But they were away from scoring due to mistakes and penalties. In the 34th minute, Japan finally scored with Tamura’s successful PG from a spot more than 40 metres away, cutting the lead to 4, 27-23. Spectators in the stadium as well as TV viewers and supporters must have expected a giant-killing moment for the first time against Australia. Taking advantage of their inherent physical strength, Japan continued to attack with great tackles, and it could be clearly seen that the Wallabies became more fatigued minute by minute. Tokunaga who came at the midway point of the second half was also active all over the field, and his interception at one point raised Japan’s chances and expectations for a big win. But Japan killed this opportunity with a penalty. Australia then got closer to the Japan’s end line while their FWs pushed with great strength with a line-out maul to get the finishing try, making the score 32-23. This play brought an end to the game.
In the past, everybody must have praised what Japan did and said: “They did a good job, it was so close, we almost beat Australia.” But it was not the case this time. At an online press conference after the game, “We lost. So, it was not a good game,” said Inagaki. National Team Director, Fujii, strongly stated: “No one in our team is satisfied with a mere good game.” Their comments created a lot of expectations for the following tour in Europe.