Japan opens A5N with 121-0 win over Philippines
FUKUOKA (April 20) – Japan opened its HSBC Asian 5 Nations campaign Saturday by beating the Philippines 121-0 at Level 5 Stadium.
In a game that doubled as a qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2015, Eddie Jones’ team got on the scoreboard as early as the sixth minute when Ayumu Goromaru slotted over a penalty after Japan had dominated the opening exchanges.
Some indiscipline at the restart should have seen the Volcanoes draw level but Gareth Holgate’s relatively simple kick missed the mark.
That marked one of the few times the visitors entered the Japan half, as the hosts’ forwards took control.
Hitoshi Ono crossed in the 12th minute following a good break by Ryu Koliniasi Holani from a scrum 10 metres out, and with Goromaru adding the extras it was 10-0.
With Holgate again missing a straight forward shot at goal, Japan extended its lead in the 21st minute when Michael Broadhurst touched down in the corner following some good counter-rucking by the pack.
The treacherous conditions and slippery ball meant a plethora of handling errors, and it wasn’t until the 28th minute that Japan added a third try when Holani powered over. Goromaru made certain with the conversion to make it 22-0.
Holani brought up the bonus point in the 32nd minute when he was on the end of some good interplay between forwards and back.
Four minutes later Harumichi Tatekawa slid over in the rain and Goromaru’s conversion from the touchline made it 36-0.
Male Sa’u celebrated his debut with Japan’s sixth try in the 38th minute as Japan’s power and speed started to really take its toll. Goromaru was again on target as Japan led 43-0 at the break.
The second half was just 90 second old when Shinya Makabe went over for Japan’s seventh try as Japan started the second stanza as they ended the first.
Further tries from Hirotoki Onozawa, Ono, Kenki Fukuoka (2), Masataka Mikami, Takuma Asahara, Goromaru, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Tatekawa, Yusuke Aoki and Sa’u completed the rout with Goromaru finishing the day with 14 conversions for a personal tally of 36 points.
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