Japan open PNC with win over Canada

SAN JOSE, California (July 19) – Japan opened their 2015 Pacific Nations Cup campaign in style on Saturday (Sunday morning in Japan) with a 20-6 win over Canada at Avaya Stadium.

Yoshikazu Fujita scored the only try of the game and Ayumu Goromaru banged over five penalties as the Brave Blossoms picked up their 14th win (against 8 losses and two draws) against their oldest international rivals.

Goromaru opened the scoring with a penalty in the fourth minute as Eddie Jones’ team came out firing in marked contrast to last year’s game when they had to come from a long way behind at halftime to win.

“We went into the game remembering how we were at last year’s Pacific Nations Cup,” said Goromaru, who was leading the team in the absence of Michael Leitch and Kensuke Hatakeyama.

“We are physically stronger from a year ago and played very well in our first match at the PNC. They pulled away in the first half last year so we wanted to be really physical in the first 20 minutes.”

Fujita extended the lead in the 13th minute when he finished off good breaks by Hayden Hopgood and Kotaro Matsushima, Japan’s best runners with ball in hand on the day.

Gordon McRorie closed the gap with a penalty for the Canadians before Goromaru added his second as Japan led 11-3 at the break despite losing flyhalf Harumichi Tatekawa to a facial injury in the 25th minute.

The second half again saw Japan look dangerous with ball in hand, though they were unable to add to Fujita’s first half effort, relying on three more penalties from Goromaru to keep the scoreboard ticking over, while McRorie added one more for Canada.

Perhaps more impressive though was the Japan defensive effort. Even when Yu Tamura was sent to the sin bin just before halftime, the Brave Blossoms remained disciplined and ensured the Canadians were unable to cross the whitewash.

Next up for the Brave Blossoms are the United States on Friday – Saturday noon in Japan.