Japan XV fall to Asia Pacific Dragons
OSAKA (April 26) – A Japan XV went down 35-29 to Asia Pacific Dragons on Saturday at Hanzono Stadium in a game designed to help coach Eddie Jones prepare his side for the upcoming Asian 5 Nations, which this year doubles up as Asia’s qualifying tournament for Rugby World Cup 2015.
Receiving the ball first on a perfect day for running rugby, Japan dominated the opening exchanges and opened the scoring in the 10th minute when Shinya Makabe scooped up a loose tap down from a Dragons’ line out five meters out and dived over.
He was soon followed onto the scoresheet by Akihito Yamada, who used his pace to follow up an inch perfect kick from Atsushi Hiwasa, with Ryoto Nakamura adding the extras as Japan went 15-0 up.
But the Dragons hit back with two tries in as many minutes through So Kilryong and Tusi Pisi, the second a wonderful effort from the restart that highlighted the Pacific islanders’ ability to run and offload at pace.
Tadanobu Ko converted both five-pointers to make it 15-14, before an intercept try by Hendrik Tui, converted by Nakamura, helped Japan go into the break leading 22-14.
Ko closed the gap to five with a penalty nine minutes into the second half before Sainivalati Ramuwai sprinted over for the Dragons’ third try. Ko added the conversion to hand the invitation side the lead, which was increased when Pisi knocked over a long-range drop goal and Ko added a second penalty.
A well worked try saw Yoshikazu Fujita cross in the 73rd minute with Nakamura’s conversion making it a one-point game. But it was the Dragons that finished strongest with Nili Latu finishing off a 12-man maul to clinch the win two minutes from time.
