Preview – Japan v Fiji
Competition: Lipovitan D Tour 2016.
Date: Saturday 26 November 2016.
Venue: Stade de la Rabine, Vannes, Brittany, France.
Japan Test Number: 332.
Kick-off: 15:10 CET (UTC/GMT 14:10 and 23:10 JST).
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa).
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) and Thomas Charabas (France). TMO: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland).
Head-to-head Encounters:
Japan and Fiji have met on sixteen occasions dating back to 1990. Fiji have won thirteen and Japan three.
Although Fiji won the inaugural meeting between these two nations in 1990, Japan then won the two home tests in 1994. However, Fiji went on to win the next nine tests played between 1999 and 2010 before Japan chalked up their third win in Lautoka in 2011 on their way to winning the Pacific Nations Cup that year.
The highest scoring wins for Japan were 24-18 in Matsuyama in May 1994 and 24-13 in Lautoka in July 2011, while the biggest winning margin was 12 points in the 20-8 win in May 1994 at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Although Japan scored 39 points against Fiji in Suva in 2009, the home side scored a dramatic converted try in extra time to win 40-39. The longest winning sequence for Japan is two wins in a row in 1994.
The highest scoring win for Fiji was 47-22 in 2000, while the biggest winning margin was 28 points in the 41-13 win at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The longest winning sequence for Fiji is nine wins between 1999 and 2010.
Of the fifteen tests played, seven have been played in Japan, while six games have been played in Fiji and three have been played on the neutral territory of Toulouse in France during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Townsville in Australia during the 2003 Rugby World Cup and Toronto during the 2015 PNC.
Official test results for Japan against Fiji
| No. | Date | Result
(Home – Away) |
Venue | Tournament | Japan
Test No. |
W/D/L
(For Japan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 26 Nov 2016 | Japan xx – Fiji xx | Vannes, France | 332 | ||
| 16 | 29 Jul 2015 | Fiji 27 – Japan 22 | BMO Stadium, Toronto | 10th PNC | 313 | Lost |
| 15 | 01 Jun 2013 | Fiji 22 – Japan 8 | Churchill Park, Lautoka | 8th PNC | 288 | Lost |
| 14 | 05 Jun 2012 | Japan 19 – Fiji 25 | Mizuho, Nagoya | 7th PNC | 278 | Lost |
| 13 | 13 Jul 2011 | Fiji 13 – Japan 24 | Churchill Park, Lautoka | 6th PNC | 267 | Won |
| 12 | 12 Jun 2010 | Fiji 22 – Japan 8 | Churchill Park, Lautoka | 5th PNC | 256 | Lost |
| 11 | 03 Jul 2009 | Fiji 40 – Japan 39 | National Stadium, Suva | 4th PNC | 249 | Lost |
| 10 | 22 Jun 2008 | Japan 12 – Fiji 24 | National Stadium, Tokyo | 3rd PNC | 237 | Lost |
| 9 | 12 Sep 2007 | Fiji 35 – Japan 31 | Toulouse | 6th RWC | 228 | Lost |
| 8 | 26 May 2007 | Fiji 30 – Japan 15 | Churchill Park, Lautoka | 2nd PNC | 221 | Lost |
| 7 | 01 Jul 2006 | Japan 15 – Fiji 29 | Nagai, Osaka | P5N | 216 | Lost |
| 6 | 23 Oct 2003 | Fiji 41 – Japan 13 | Townsville | 5th RWC | 191 | Lost |
| 5 | 20 May 2000 | Japan 22 – Fiji 47 | Chichibu, Tokyo | 5th PRC | 162 | Lost |
| 4 | 05 Jun 1999 | Fiji 16 – Japan 9 | Churchill Park, Lautoka | 4th PRC | 156 | Lost |
| 3 | 15 May 1994 | Japan 20 – Fiji 8 | National Stadium, Tokyo | 120 | Won | |
| 2 | 08 May 1994 | Japan 24 – Fiji 18 | Matsuyama, Ehime | 119 | Won | |
| 1 | 04 Mar 1990 | Japan 6 – Fiji 32 | Chichibu, Tokyo | 102 | Lost |
P5N = Pacific Five Nations (2006 only).
PNC = Pacific Nations Cup. The 2006 P5N evolved into the PNC from 2007 and thus 2007 can be considered the ‘second’ PNC.
PRC = Pacific Rim Championship.
RWC = Rugby World Cup.
Japan (WR rank 11 (75.20), at 21 November 2016)
| Pos. | Name (Test Player Number) | Club | DOB | Age | Hgt/Wgt | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Satoshi NAKATANI (TBC) | Yamaha Jubilo | 27/10/1981 | 35 | 170/105 | 3 |
| 2 | Shota HORIE (530) (c) | Panasonic Wild Knights | 21/01/1986 | 30 | 180/104 | 47 |
| 3 | Kensuke HATAKEYAMA (515) | Suntory Sungoliath | 02/08/1985 | 31 | 178/113 | 77 |
| 4 | Kyosuke KAJIKAWA (TBC) | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 05/09/1987 | 29 | 188/105 | 3 |
| 5 | Samuela ANISE (TBC) | Canon Eagles | 30/08/1986 | 30 | 198/118 | 3 |
| 6 | Malgene ILAUA (TBC) | Toshiba Brave Lupus | 05/06/1993 | 23 | 187/105 | 3 |
| 7 | Shunsuke NUNOMAKI (TBC) | Panasonic Wild Knights | 13/07/1992 | 24 | 178/96 | 2 |
| 8 | Amanaki Lelei MAFI (580) | NTT Communications | 11/01/1990 | 26 | 189/112 | 12 |
| 9 | Fumiaki TANAKA (510) | Panasonic Wild Knights | 03/01/1985 | 31 | 166/72 | 57 |
| 10 | Yu TAMURA (555) | NEC Green Rockets | 09/01/1989 | 27 | 181/91 | 41 |
| 11 | Kenki FUKUOKA (569) | Panasonic Wild Knights | 07/09/1992 | 24 | 175/83 | 19 |
| 12 | Harumichi TATEKAWA (557) | Kubota Spears | 02/12/1989 | 26 | 180/95 | 49 |
| 13 | Timothy LAFAELE (TBC) | Coca-Cola Red Sparks | 19/08/1991 | 25 | 186/98 | 3 |
| 14 | Akihito YAMADA (574) | Panasonic Wild Knights | 26/07/1985 | 31 | 182/88 | 17 |
| 15 | Kotaro MATSUSHIMA (576) | Suntory Sungoliath | 26/02/1993 | 23 | 178/87 | 21 |
| 16 | Kanta HIGASHIONNA (600) | Canon Eagles | 26/11/1992 | 23 | 178/115 | 3 |
| 17 | Takeshi HINO (TBC) | Yamaha Jubilo | 20/01/1990 | 26 | 172/100 | 1 |
| 18 | Heiichiro ITO (TBC) | Yamaha Jubilo | 05/10/1990 | 26 | 175/115 | 3 |
| 19 | Kotaro YATABE (592) | Panasonic Wild Knights | 29/07/1986 | 30 | 190/107 | 8 |
| 20 | Shuhei MATSUHASHI (TBC) | Ricoh Black Rams | 24/11/1993 | 22 | 180/99 | 2 |
| 21 | Keisuke UCHIDA (558) | Panasonic Wild Knights | 22/02/1992 | 24 | 177/85 | 20 |
| 22 | Amanaki LOTOAHEA (TBC) | Ricoh Black Rams | 14/04/1990 | 26 | 191/107 | 3 |
| 23 | Karne HESKETH (581) | Munakata Sanix Blues | 01/08/1985 | 31 | 178/100 | 15 |
Head Coach – Jamie Joseph. (NZL, 2016. Fourth test as head coach for one win and two losses.)
NB: Shota Horie and Harumichi Tatekawa are co-captains. Horie is game captain for this test.
Fiji (WB rank 10 (75.49), at 21 November 2016)
| Pos. | Name | Club | DOB | Age | Hgt/Wgt | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peni Ravai (698) | Southland (NZL) | 16/06/1990 | 26 | 183/118 | 17 |
| 2 | Sunia Koto Vuli (575) | Macon (FRA) | 15/04/1980 | 36 | 178/108 | 50 |
| 3 | Manasa Saulo Ramumu (687) | Toulon (FRA) | 06/04/1989 | 27 | 193/119 | 28 |
| 4 | Nemia Soqeta | Biarritz Olympique (FRA) | 04/03/1985 | 31 | 196/118 | 13 |
| 5 | Leone Nakarawa (630) | Racing 92 (FRA) | 02/04/1988 | 28 | 198/117 | 38 |
| 6 | Dominiko Waqaniburotu (652) | Brive Olympique (FRA) | 20/04/1986 | 30 | 189/111 | 28 |
| 7 | Peceli Yato | Clermont Auvergne (FRA) | 17/01/1993 | 23 | 196/105 | 7 |
| 8 | Akapusi Qera (583) (c) | Montpellier (FRA) | 24/04/1984 | 32 | 193/102 | 52 |
| 9 | Nikola Matawalu (656) | Exeter Chiefs (ENG) | 08/03/1989 | 27 | 179/85 | 29 |
| 10 | Ben Volavola (708) | Crusaders (NZL) | 13/01/1991 | 25 | 191/96 | 12 |
| 11 | Nemani Nadolo | Montpellier (FRA) | 31/01/1988 | 28 | 195/125 | 24 |
| 12 | Levani Botia (695) | La Rochelle (FRA) | 14/03/1989 | 27 | 182/103 | |
| 13 | Albert Vulivuli | Racing 92 (FRA) | 26/05/1985 | 31 | 190/105 | 12 |
| 14 | Metuisela Talebula (682) | Bordeaux Begles (FRA) | 20/05/1991 | 25 | 186/98 | 20 |
| 15 | Kini Murimurivalu (665) | La Rochelle (FRA) | 15/05/1989 | 27 | 190/89 | 14 |
| 16 | Talemaitoga Tuapati | Provence (FRA) | 16/08/1985 | 31 | 180/107 | 32 |
| 17 | Joeli Veitayaki Junior | Police | 14/03/1989 | 27 | 0 | |
| 18 | Lee Roy Atalifo | Canterbury (NZL) | 10/05/1988 | 28 | 190/134 | 7 |
| 19 | Apisalome Ratuniyarawa | Northampton Saints (AUS) | 11/07/1986 | 30 | 198/114 | 20 |
| 20 | Naulia Dawai | Connacht (IRE) | 26/06/1987 | 29 | 187/110 | 4 |
| 21 | Eremasi Radrodro | Suva | 17/09/1987 | 29 | 193/109 | 4 |
| 22 | Serupepeli Vularika | Suva | 29/04/1990 | 26 | 3 | |
| 23 | Waisea Nayacalevu (674) | Stade Francais (FRA) | 26/06/1990 | 26 | 195/97 | 14 |
Head Coach – John McKee (NZL). (2014-present)