Japan finish 4th in PNC after loss to Tonga

BURNABY, British Columbia (Aug. 3) – Japan had to settle for fourth place at this year’s Pacific Nations Cup after they went down 31-20 to Tonga at Swangard Stadium on Monday.

Like the Brave Blossoms’ two previous losses in the tournament the result could have gone either way, with the Tongans sealing the win with the final play of the game.

Japan took an early lead thanks to a penalty by Ayumu Goromaru in the seventh minute, but the ʻIkale Tahi pulled level three minutes later via a penalty by former Kubota Spears flyhalf Kurt Morath.

Goromaru restored Japan’s lead in the 16th minute with his second penalty of the day before the Tongans scored the first try of the day.

With both captains – Nili Latu (24th minute) and Michael Leitch (three minutes later) – in the sin bin, Halani Aulika powered over from a maul close to the Japan line, Morath’s conversion making it 10-6.

But Japan responded immediately and a great break by Karne Hesketh was finished off by replacement forward Hendrik Tui.

However, two more penalties from Morath saw Tonga lead 16-11 at the break.

Japan regained the lead early in the second through two penalties from Goromaru but it was short lived as Fetu’u Vainikolo crossed following some good work by the Tongan pack.

Morath and Goromaru then exchanged penalties to keep it a four-point game at 24-20.

But the sin binning of Hayden Hopgood in the 70th minute, proved costly and Tonga made the most of their numerical advantage with man-of-the-match Sonatane Takulua going over in the final minute.

The Brave Blossoms return to Japan this week to prepare for a game against a World XV on Aug 15 before they take on Uruguay in a two-test series.