Japan’s winning streak comes to an end in Georgia

TOKYO (Nov. 24) – Japan’s unbeaten run in test matches came to an end Sunday as they were beaten 35-24 by Georgia at Tbilisi’s Mikheil Meskhi Stadium.

 

The hosts’ forwards laid the foundations for the win as they constantly had the Japan pack on the back foot.

 

Hooker Shalva Mamukashvili scored the opening try in the 12th minute from a rolling maul and referee Romain Poite awarded a penalty try 10 minutes later as the Georgian forwards dominated the early exchanges in both the tight and the loose.

 

Japan, however, closed the gap to just two points in the space of two minutes.

 

Ayumu Goromaru banged over a penalty in the 27th minute and then converted Karne Hesketh’s first ever international try, the wing making the most of a storming break from halfway by No. 8 Amanaki Lelei Mafi, after the Georgians had kicked the restart too long.

 

But it was the Lelos who closed out the half stronger and from yet another powerful scrum fullback Merab Kvirikashvili went over to make it 17-10 at the break.

 

Kvirikashvili then added a penalty soon after the restart before Lasha Khmaladze scored the hosts’ fourth try in the 53rd minute after Japan had failed to gather a high kick.

 

A second try from Hesketh following a quick tap penalty and some good work by Luke Thompson saw Japan close to 25-17.

 

But a second penalty from Kvirikashvili and a try by Beka Tsiklauri meant Harumichi Tatekawa ‘s late five-pointer for Japan was nothing more than a consolation.

 

Japan had won 11 straight games coming into Sunday’s test, dating back to Nov. 15, 2013.