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Japan have beaten Italy soundly
By Nicholas McGee
Japan produced a dominant second-half showing to beat Italy 34-17 in the first match of their two-Test series in Oita.
Italy went ahead in the 15th minute when Tiziano Pasquali crossed for the Azzurri but it was Japan who were in control for most of the opening period thereafter.
Japan captain Michael Leitch and Kenki Fukuoka combined to set up Amanaki Mafi, before Fukuoka sped away from the Italy defence and Yu Tamura added a penalty as the Brave Blossoms built a 10-point lead, only for it to be reduced to three when Braam Steyn powered over for Italy's second try and Tommaso Allan again converted.
Allan then levelled matters with the boot after the restart but Italy's momentum was checked as Japan resumed command.
Tamara nudged Japan back ahead with a penalty before the hosts scored two tries in the space of five minutes. Lomano Lemeki touched down after Shota Horie had knocked Tamara's kick out wide into his path, with Kotaro Matsushima then putting the game beyond doubt.
The second Test takes place in Kobe next Saturday.
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Latest Comments
Has there ever been a Red and Black you don't rate GP over the years? However to be fair most of your favs have had the goods.
Go to commentsI'm not very hopeful of a better change to the sport. Putting an Aussie in charge after they failed for two decades is just disgusting. What else will be brought in to weaken the game? What new rule changes will be made? How will the game be grown?
Nothing of value in this letter. There is no definitive drive towards something better. Just more of the same as usual. The most successful WC team is getting snubbed again and again for WC's hosting rights. What will make other competitions any different?
My beloved rugby is already a global sport. Why is there no SH team chosen between the Boks, AB's, Wallabies and Fiji? Like a B&I Lions team to tour Europe and America? A team that could face not only countries but also the B&I Lions? Wouldn't that make for a great spectacle that will also bring lots of eyeballs to the sport?
Instead with an Aussie in charge, rugby will become more like rugby league. Rugby will most likely become less global if we look at what have become of rugby in Australia. He can't save rugby in Australia, how will he improve the global footprint of rugby world wide?
I hope to be proven wrong and that he will raise up the sport to new heights, but I am very much in doubt. It's like hiring a gardener to a CEO position in a global company expecting great results. It just won't happen. Call me negative or call me whatever you'd like, Robinson is the wrong man for the job.
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