Japan happy with scoreline

CALAMBA, Philippines (May 3) – Japan captain Michael Leitch said it was the improved performance of the Philippines that prevented Japan from surpassing the score Hong Kong put on the Volcanoes in this year’s Asian 5 Nations.

A week after Hong Kong opened the tournament with a 108-0 win over the Philippines, Japan ran in 15 tries in a 99-10 over the hosts on a very hot and humid day at the Eagles Nest, around an hour south of Manila.

“Their defence was much improved. They knew how we were using our backs option early on,” said Leitch after the game, his first test match in charge of the national team.

“But I am not too worried we couldn’t beat the Hong Kong score to be honest. We did what we came to do. And their try was an intercept. That even happens to the All Blacks.”

Head coach Eddie Jones said he was happy to get the A5N campaign off to a winning start, bearing in mind that the tournament this year serves as Asia’s qualifying tournament for Rugby World Cup 2015.

“We got our six points and didn’t pick up any injuries, so perfect,” he said. “Our attacking shape was much better, though it was difficult to tell about our defence.”

Jones said he was particularly happy that he had been able to introduce five new caps, three of whom marked the occasion with tries.

“I really enjoyed it,” said No. 8 Hayden Hopgood, who scored two tries on debut. “It was one of my goals when I first came to Japan to be able to play for them. It was an awesome experience.”

All the players said the heat and humidity, not to mention the wind blowing off the highway that ran alongside the field had made it a difficult day, with Leitch saying the team had felt “shattered” during the final five minutes.

The team fly back to Japan on Sunday to prepare for next Saturday’s game with Sri Lanka in Nagoya.