Japan XV Seek Clean Sweep at World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024

Going into their third and final match against Tonga A at this year’s Pacific Challenge 2024, the Japan XV are on the cusp of replicating Japan’s heroic 2020 tournament clean sweep after having defeated both Manuma Samoa the Fiji Warriors in their opening two fixtures. While confidence is running high in the group, the team will be more than aware of the huge challenge that lies ahead this Saturday at Apia Park, in the Samoan capital.

The Japan XV put in a stunning performance in their opening match, running in 8 tries to down the tournament hosts 5-48. In hot and steamy conditions, the visitors took control early through their efficient defence and high-tempo, ball-in-hand attack. Replacement hooker, Kenji Sato scored two of his team’s tries, with the other six spread evenly among the forwards and backs, highlighting a dominant Japanese performance across the field.

Commenting after the match, number-eight and Captain Yoshiaki Taian said:

“We’re just happy to get that win in our first match. To win the Championship you can’t afford to lose one match, so I am glad we can continue on from today with this win behind us. We will prepare well starting from tomorrow for our next match and put everything we have into how we play so we can continue making our supporters back home in Japan proud.”

In their second match, Japan lined up against a mighty Fiji Warriors team, fresh from their 17-29 victory over Tonga A in their opening match. Being the reigning Pacific Challenge Champions, having won their tenth championship title at last year’s competition, Fiji were the team Japan most needed to beat to have any chance of winning the tournament.

Japan started strongly, building up a comfortable lead which they held throughout the match. In the second half, the reigning Champions started showing their class, breaking down the Japanese defence with a combination of hard running and physicality. In the final 10 minutes Fiji ran in two converted tries to snatch a 43-40 lead with just two minutes left on the clock.

It looked as if Japan would rue squandering their early lead and letting the Fijians back into the match. However, in the final play, Japan turned the ball over from a Fijian attack and sent a kick deep into the opposition’s 22. Seeing one last opportunity, they miraculously regathered possession and off an ensuing ruck, sent a long ball out right to an unmarked Tasuku Masuyama who dotted down unopposed in the righthand corner. Japan missed the side line conversion but had done enough to earn a rousing 43-45 victory.

Sitting in the stands was Brave Blossoms’ Head Coach, Eddie Jones who couldn’t hide his delight at what the Japan XV had just achieved. Made up predominantly of Japan U20 players, the team had managed to defeat a much-fancied Fijian side who had entered the tournament as clear favourites.

Following the match, Naoya Okubo, Japan U20 Head Coach and Head Coach of the Pacific Challenge 2024 Japan XV commented:

“The team’s unrelenting desire to win was apparent in every facet of our game today. While we played the style we wanted to play, there were things that were good and areas that were not so good. We will focus on both aspects to improve ahead of our final match with the aim of winning all three games and equalling the achievements of the Japan team back in 2020.”

The Japan XV next face Tonga A on Saturday, 20 April. Following their two bonus point victories, they sit on 10 points in the tournament standings, three points ahead of Fiji who notched up a bonus point in their first-round victory over Tonga A and a losing bonus point in their narrow loss to Japan. Japan will be leaving nothing to chance, looking to record a win to guarantee them the title.

World Rugby Pacific Challenge 2024 Match Schedule

Round 1 WED 10 APRIL, 2024	#1 Tonga A v Fiji Warriors 17-29	#2 Manuma Samoa v JAPAN XV 5-48
ROUND 2 MON 15 APRIL, 2024	#3 Fiji Warriors v JAPAN XV 43-45	#4 Manuma Samoa v Tonga A 56-17
ROUND 3 SAT 20 APRIL,2024	#5 JAPAN XV v Tonga A 12:30pm(08:30 JST)	#6 Manuma Samoa v Fiji Warriors 16:00(12:00pm JST)