Japan bags A5N title

 
TOKYO (May 4) – Japan beat South Korea 64-5 on Saturday to clinch their sixth straight HSBC Asian 5 Nations title.

The bonus-point win means Japan are assured of the silverware even though they still have a game to play  – against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on May 10.

Kosei Ono opened the scoring in the second minute as Japan averaged a point-a-minute in the first half.

The Japan flyhalf was followed onto the scoresheet by wing Kenki Fukuoka, who showed great speed to cross in the sixth and ninth minutes as Japan’s forwards created plenty of ball for the backs.

Captain Takashi Kikutani then added two tries following some good work by Michael Broadhurst, before Yoshikazu Fujita closed out the half with a five-pointer.

Ayumu Goromaru added five conversions as Japan led 40-0 at halftime.

With the game and title assured, coach Eddie jones made a number of changes early on in the second half.

It didn’t take long for Japan to extend their lead when Hendrik Tui rumbled over in the 51st minute, but Japan were then forced to defend for some time as the Koreans tried to become the first team to score against them this year.

With their line intact, the Brave Blossoms added further tries from Goromaru, Male Sa’u and a penalty try, with Goromaru adding a further two conversions though Oh Youn Hyung finally got the Koreans on the board when he crossed with two minutes left on the clock.