Japan, Ono celebrate with win over Samoa

TOKYO (May 30) – Japan made it a record seven straight test match wins and ensured they will rise to 12th in the IRB world rankings Friday night as they helped celebrate in style Hitoshi Ono becoming the nation’s most capped player.

The Brave Blossoms ran in three tries in a 33-14 win over Samoa at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, with Ono, playing his 82nd game for the Brave Blossoms, at the heart of a tremendous forward performance that laid the foundations for the win.

Yoshikazu Fujita crossed twice in the first half and Kotoro Matsushima added a superb individual try in the second half, with Ayumu Goromaru adding four penalties and three conversions from as many attempts.

Things didn’t start so well for Japan when Samoa pounced on an early handling error, allowing Fautua Otto to race 80 metres for the opening try in the sixth minute.

But Japan struck back with Fujita crossing five minutes later following a great break by Matsushima.

Goromaru added the extras and then slotted a penalty before Fujita crossed for his second, courtesy of a good cut-out pass by Yu Tamura.

The half ended with Goromaru adding a second penalty as Japan led 20-7, and the fullback was on target early in the second half as well.

Samoa gave their fans some hope when Brando Vaaulu made the most of a very rare missed tackle by the hosts in the 42nd minute. But Goromaru added a fourth penalty and then converted Matsushima’s effort in the 70th minute to ensure Ono and the rest of the team could celebrate.