Japan downs U.S. Eagles

TOKYO (June 23) – Japan made it three test wins in eight days and seven from 10 for the year when they beat the United States 38-20 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on Sunday.

While the win wasn’t good enough for the silverware – Fiji beat Tonga 34-21 in the first game to claim the title for the first time – it ensured the Brave Blossoms go into their summer break on a high before reassembling for the November tests.

Teen wing Yoshikazu Fujita opened the scoring in the sixth minute following some good work by Takashi Kikutani and Shota Horie, only for the Eagles to hit back with Chris Wyles and Eric Fry touching down. Wyles also converted his own try as the visitors led 12-7 with 22 minutes gone.

A try by Male Sa’u, who took three American defenders over the line with him saw Japan pull level before Wyles knocked over a penalty to make it 15-12.

But the American lead only lasted seven minutes as Hendrik Tui powered over just before the break, with Goromaru’s conversion making it 19-15.

The second half saw Japan play much better, despite fatigue setting in. Toshiaki Hirose increased the lead three minutes into the half with a try in the corner before the hosts were awarded a penalty try after the Ealges repeatedly collapsed the scrum close to their own line.

Fumiaki Tanaka scored Japan’s sixth try in the 61st minute with Goromaru knocking over his fourth conversion, and although  Luke Hume grabbed a try for the Eagles 13 minutes from time, it proved to be nothing more than a consolation effort.