Eddie Jones' Japan survive red card scare against Uruguay

Japan overcame a second-half red card to secure a 36-20 victory over Uruguay at Chambéry Savoie Stadium on Saturday.

The Brave Blossoms displayed resilience to kept the lid on the South Americans despite ill-discipline letting the side down.

Uruguay opened the scoring in the 6th minute with a try from number eight Manuel Diana, converted by fly-half Felipe Álvarez, giving them an early 7-0 lead. Japan responded swiftly through captain Kazuki Himeno who powered over the line in the ninth minute [though the conversion was missed], narrowing the gap to 7-5.

Álvarez extended Uruguay's lead to 10-5 with a penalty in the 19th minute but it was Japan who then took control.

A penalty from fly-half Takuro Matsunaga, which was followed by unconverted tries from winger Junta Hamano in the 31st minute and centre Kanji Shimokawa in the 35th minute.

Japan's ill-discipline let Uruguay get a foothold back in the match however, when scrum-half Naoto Saito was sin-binned in the 38th minute; an indiscretion that was immediately punished by Uruguay through the boot of Alvarez. His penalty kick made it 18-13 going into the break.

The second half began with Uruguay levelling the score at 18-18, courtesy of a try from flanker Lucas Bianchi, before Álvarez pushed Uruguay two points in front with a successful conversion.

Japan hit back through winger Jone Naikabula, who crossed the line in the 51st minute to put Japan back in front. Saito failed to convert, although a penalty from Matsunaga would follow ten minutes later, bringing the score to 26-20 t0 Japan.

It was in the 65th minute that Japan again faced a major setback when lock Warner Dearns received a red card for a high tackle, reducing the team to 14 men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Japan were again the next to score, care of a penalty from Saito, which extended the lead to 29-20. Highly rated centre Dylan Riley sealed the victory with a try in the 77th minute, converted by Saito, finalizing the score at 36-20.

Japan

1. Takato Okabe, 2. Mamoru Harada, 3. Keijiro Tamefusa, 4. Epineri Uluiviti, 5. Warner Dearns, 6. Amato Fakatava, 7. Kanji Shimokawa, 8. Kazuki Himeno (captain), 9. Naoto Saito, 10. Takuro Matsunaga, 11. Junta Hamano, 12. Siosaia Fifita, 13. Dylan Riley, 14. Jone Naikabula, 15. Malo Tuitama

Replacements: 16. Kenta Matsuoka, 17. Yukio Morikawa, 18. Opeti Helu, 19. Sanaila Waqa, 20. Isaiah Mapusua, 21. Shinobu Fujiwara, 22. Nik McCurran, 23. Yusuke Kajimura

Uruguay

1. Mateo Sanguinetti, 2. Guillermo Pujadas, 3. Diego Arbelo, 4. Ignacio Dotti, 5. Manuel Leindekar, 6. Santiago Civetta, 7. Lucas Bianchi, 8. Manuel Diana, 9. Santiago Álvarez, 10. Ícaro Amarillo, 11. Ignacio Facciolo, 12. Juan Manuel Alonso, 13. Felipe Arcos Pérez, 14. Bautista Basso, 15. Juan González.

Replacements: 16. Joaquín Myszka, 17. Mateo Perillo, 18. Ignacio Peculo, 19. Felipe Aliaga, 20. Carlos Deus, 21. Joaquín Suárez, 22. Ignacio Álvarez, 23. Gastón Mieres