Mixed feelings in Japan camp following eventful day in Hong Kong

HONG KONG (May 23) – There were mixed emotions in the Japan camp Saturday following an eventful day at Aberdeen Sports Ground.

Brave Blossoms head coach Eddie Jones was not a happy man after heavy rain and flooding caused the men’s game against Hong Kong to be abandoned after just 13 minutes with Japan leading 3-0 thanks to a penalty from Ayumu Goromaru.

“We came here to play rugby,” he said. “I always thought rugby was a winter sport but you have to accept the umpire’s decision. I’ve got guys playing for World Cup spots so I am disappointed. It’s going to be hard to cut players when they haven’t been given an opportunity.”

“We played in Fiji in conditions exactly like this two years ago and there wasn’t any suggestion that the game would be stopped. I was shocked when after 10 minutes we had a forum on the pitch about cancelling the game.”

While Jones was left angry, women’s coach Goshi Arimizu was delighted after his side, which side contained four teenagers in the backs, beat Hong Kong 27-12 to claim the women’s championship.

“In the first half we were a little bit nervous,” he said. “But we played much better in the second half. The whole purpose of the game was to give the young players experience and I thought (17-year-old centre) Riho Kurogi played really well, especially in the second half.”

Three tries from No.8 Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave sealed the win as the Sakura XV overcame the conditions and three yellow cards.

“It still hasn’t sunk in that we are champions of Asia,” said Bogidraumainadave. “We came into the game wanting to win and it’s just awesome. We knew we had to keep out discipline (when we were done to 13 players) and our coaches just told us to do what we can as they believed in us.”