Japan qualify for Rugby World Cup 2015
TOKYO (May 25) – Japan qualified for Rugby World Cup 2015 and claimed their seventh straight Asian 5 Nations title on Sunday as they beat Hong Kong 49-8 in the last game played at National Stadium.
Yoshikazu Fujita grabbed a hat trick of five-pointers and there were further tries for Harumichi Tatekawa, Shinya Makabe, Justin Ives, Takeshi Kizu and Keisuke Uchida, with Ayumu Goromaru adding three conversions and a penalty goal, as Japan booked their spot in Pool B alongside South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and the United States.
Goromaru handed Japan the perfect start when he knocked over a penalty in the second minute, with Fujita going over for the first of his three tries three minutes later.
But Hong Kong proved to be tough opponents and a drop goal by Chris McAdam closed the gap to 8-3 in the 26th minute.
Two tries in the space of two minutes from Fujita and Tatekawa followed by one from Justin Ives three minutes before the break, however, saw Japan lead 27-3 at halftime.
The second half was a scrappy affair as the Hong Kong forwards imposed themselves at the breakdown and it was the visitors who got the first score of the stanza when Thomas McQueen finished off a period of sustained pressure to go over in the corner in the 56th minute.
The score seemed to kickstart Japan back into action though and replacement lock Makabe used his strength and pace to go over in the 67th minute.
The crowd were hoping for a rousing finale to the last game played at the stadium that hosted the 1964 Olympics and the Brave Blossoms obliged with Fujita completing his hat-trick before Kizu and Uchida both crossed in the space of three minutes to ensure Japan will once again represent Asia at the Rugby World Cup.
