Match Review: Brave Blossoms v Ireland
Japan were unable to repeat their Rugby World Cup 2019 “Shocker in Shizuoka” as they went down 39-31 to Ireland at Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday. Despite scoring some stunning tries through Michael Leitch, Timothy Lafaele, Siosaia Fifita and Naoto Saito — all of which were converted by Yu Tamura, who also kicked a penalty goal – the Brave Blossoms finished up on the wrong side of the penalty count and the scoreboard as the Irish wrestled control of the game in the second half.
“We deserve to be disappointed,” said Japan captain Leitch. “We played well but we couldn’t execute in the end. The game was in the balance and we couldn’t score. I’m proud of the effort but we’ve got to keep working on our game.” Chris Farrell, Stuart McCloskey, Finlay Bealham, Josh van der Flier and Jacob Stockdale all crossed the chalk for Ireland with Joey Carbery kicking four conversions and two penalty goals.
“We played some great rugby at times and, for a team that hasn’t been together for nearly two years, it’s a good sign for us,” Japan coach Jamie Joseph said. “But also it’s pretty gutting to have lost that test match.” Joseph’s side were not helped by the late withdrawal of Kazuki Himeno due to injury, forcing Tevita Tatefu to come into the starting XV and Amanaki Lelei Mafi onto the bench. Though they initially put that aside to get off to the better start as they took an early lead thanks to a penalty from Tamura in the fourth minute. Ireland hit back immediately, however, with Chris Farrell crossing after the Irish pack produced a number of quick phrases to create space for the centre to go over. But that did not faze Japan as Leitch powered off from a great rolling maul in the 11th minute, with Tamura adding the extras to make it 10-7.
Lafaele then had a try disallowed after the TMO saw a forward pass from Tamura in the build-up and the Irish made the most of their luck as McCloskey went over in the corner following a good counter-attack. A missed penalty from Tamura prevented Japan from regaining the lead in the 30th minute but they made no mistake six minutes later when Lafaele finished off a flowing move that saw Fifita make the most of a great cross kick from Tamura before passing to his centre.
It was Ireland though that headed into the changing rooms ahead as Bealham bulldozed his way over to make it 19-17 at the break. Leitch and Joseph both admitted Japan struggled with the physicality of the Irish and with their own defense at the line-out. But trailing by just 2 points, the game was still very much there for the taking.
The second half started with a stunning play from Tamura, who broke down the blindside and put in an inch perfect grubber pick for Fifita to regather and power over. But the game quickly turned in Ireland’s favour as Japan again were unable to deal with the restart and handed the Irish the ideal field position from which man-of-the-match van der Flier brought the teams level before Carberry’s conversion made it a two-point game in the hosts’ favour. That lead was expanded in the 52nd minute when Stockdale crossed as Japan again failed to defend a set piece before a brilliant score from Saito following some great work from Semisi Masirewa, Mafi and Fifita once again gave the visitors hope. But with the penalties mounting against Japan, Carberry kicked two late three-pointers to seal the win.
“We knew that Ireland would have a strong sense of revenge in today’s match because of what happened at the 2019 World Cup,” said replacement flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda, who added that the pressure his team were put under by the Irish was “too strong so we could not carry out Japan’s characteristic fast tempo rugby.”
Ireland coach Andy Farrell was full of praise for Japan. “I think their brand of rugby is consistent with what they were playing in the World Cup. Obviously they’ve not played many games since then but…they have a great dynamic, they have got some very dynamic, powerful and skilful athletes across the board. I thought in the first half they were more up to speed in the contact area than we were as far as international football is concerned.”
Meanwhile, his opposite number Joseph said that “his players have gained confidence through the match. It will take time for the team to grow, but we will continue to strive to win in November.”
It was a view shared by young scrumhalf Saito, who was a replacement against the British and Irish Lions and started in Saturday’s game. “Personally, it was a very valuable experience to be able to play two games with such strength,” he said. “After seeing the success of the Japanese national team at the 2019 World Cup, I definitely wanted to appear in the next World Cup.”