Tonga broke Japanese hearts and extended their record Rugby World Cup win drought on Wednesday with an action-packed 31-18 victory in the Pool A clash.
Sixteen points from the boot of Tongan five-eighth Kurt Morath made the difference as Japan slumped to their 17th consecutive World Cup defeat and failed in their bid to win two games at this tournament.
The victory, in front of thousands of members of New Zealand’s Tongan community, follows Tonga’s brave defeat to New Zealand and bitterly disappointing loss against fellow minnows Canada.
“Today we tried to get it right,” said captain Aleki Lutui.
“I’d like to thank the supporters, they mean a lot to us. Last week they were disappointed, now we’ve given them something to cheer.”
Tonga had the better of a helter-skelter first half 18-13 and they attacked from the kick-off when scrum-half Taniela Moa was held up just inches short in the first attack of the game.
Viliami Ma’afu crossed the line minutes later but replays showed he was held up by some desperate Japanese defending.
But the video referee had no problem with Ma’afu’s second effort when he picked up and charged over from a five metre scrum.
Japan hit back when wing Kosuke Endo made a clean line-break and prop Kensuke Hatakeyama mauled his way over the line in the 13th minute.
Alisi Tupuailai nearly ran the length of a pitch for an intercept try before being tackled but Ryan Nicholas then broke to set up Japan’s second score when Michael Leitch came on to an inside pass on the right wing and barged through a wall of defenders.
Tonga’s Morath kicked a penalty from 22m and another when Japan’s goal-kicking fly-half James Arlidge was sin-binned for offside.
But they were unable to make the numerical advantage count and it was Japan’s stand-in kicker Shaun Webb who coolly kept the Brave Blossoms in touch 13-18 with a penalty close to half-time.
However Fetu’u Vainikolo provided the killer blow with a brilliant finish from the right wing for Tonga’s third try.
Samoan-born Alisi Tupuaili kept Japanese hopes alive when he gathered a crossover pass and scored on 63 minutes, but some more last-ditch attacking from the Brave Blossoms could not prevent the stinging defeat.
“The Tongan team were tough and they deserved their win,” said Japan captain Takashi Kikutani. “We will keep up the good work in our last game against Canada.”
Japan’s final game is against Canada in Napier next Tuesday while Tonga play France in Wellington on October 1.
The match was not interrupted by an alarming fire just outside the stadium, with the flames visible behind the main terrace during the second half.
Firefighters were called and the blaze appeared to subside by the final whistle.
Mungehead
Guest
It was a fine game. Tonga won primarily through good defence and excellent work at the breakdown. Japan played superbly well for much of the match, but panicked at crucial moments under defensive pressure and made costly handling errors. Kirwan has brought the team a long way though. I was particularly impressed with the way the Japanese contested the scrums and lineouts right to the end. Tonga showed their superior experience to snag the win; it will be invaluable experience for Japan. Too many articles, this only appeared yesterday but it's poised to drop off the bottom already!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
What a great game from two teams that I admire greatly. Highly enjoyable positive footy with both teams throwing everything at the 'enemy'. In the end Tonga were just too fast, too strong & too skillful. I think their Captain hit the nail on the head when he said the difference was that this time they played hard for the entire 80. Hats off to Japan too. But God they must be sick and tired of being seen as 'the brave losers'. IMHO they had some chance to beat Tonga but once those final passes went to ground the chances were slipping away against a Tongan team that pounced on errors and punished. Japan could provide the Wallabies with a template for real team play. They moved as a unit and that was so effective and gaining turn over ball. I just wish the Wallabies were half as good in this area of their play.
Mungehead
Guest
It was a glaring error. Maybe he regretted it later and thought he was evening things up by issuing Tonga with two yellow cards in the second half. The standard of refereeing in that game was pretty rank across the board IMO. Was there a double movement by the Japanese player leading to the first try? The commentators all seemed to think so but the TMO didn't and I don't know his thoughts. I did think there was a clear case of obstruction leading up to one of Tonga's tries though, and it should have been a penalty to Japan. But I didn't hear any comments on that one, was it just me?
Capital
Roar Guru
That was an excellent match - so much physicality from both sides. Well played ...
Mtngry
Guest
And yes I am a one eyed Cherry blossoms fan
Mtngry
Guest
I see a failure to mention tha Japan's key play maker was sin binned after an intercept when replays showed he was well within his rights to be there. The Japanese hae a right to be aggrieved with the refereeing in the first half.