Japan top South Korea on record day for Goromaru

INCHEON, South Korea (May 17) – Ayumu Goromaru became the leading points scorer in Japan test history Saturday as the Brave Blossoms beat South Korea 62-5.

Goromaru kicked seven conversions and a penalty goal to take him to 426 points and surpass the previous mark of 422 held by Keiji Hirose.

More importantly, Goromaru’s 17 points helped Japan go top of the Asian 5 Nations standings and sets up an enthralling encounter with Hong Kong next week in the last ever game of any sport to be played at Tokyo’s National Stadium before it is demolished for a new arena that will make its debut at Rugby World Cup 2019.

The winner of next week’s game will automatically represent Asia at Rugby World Cup 2015, while the losers will play Uruguay in the first round of the repechage.

Akihito Yamada touched down twice either side of halftime to finish the day with four tries, while Ryu Koliniasi Holani added a brace.

Shinya Makabe, Michael Leitch and Takashi Kikutani also crossed the whitewash for Japan, who led 34-0 at halftime.

However, with the game and bonus point already secured, the Brave Blossoms allowed South Korea back into the game in the latter part of the second stanza and Jeong Yeon Sik ensured the hosts didn’t leave Munhak Stadium completely empty handed when he sprinted over in the 63rd minute.

Japan’s win – their 27th straight bonus-point win since the tournament started six years ago at the same stadium against the same opponents – takes them to 18 points. 

Hong Kong have the same number of points but a vastly inferior points difference.