Takashi Kikutani and Takehisa Usuzuki's second-half tries powered Japan to a 20-14 win over the United States on Sunday in a RWC warm-up.
John Kirwan's side dominated the game with their physical play in the second half, shutting down the States to secure the confidence-boosting victory.
Playing before a partisan crowd at Chichibunomiya Stadium, Japan scored first on a try by Taihei Ueda six minutes into the contest, which began in a driving rain. Ueda took a pass from Alisi Tupuailai, who set up the score well.
Kevin Swiryn responded for the USA seconds later with a try to level the scores at 5-5. The States moved ahead 7-5 on the conversion by Nese Malifa but Japan retook the lead with a drop-goal from Ryan Nicholas in the 12th minute.
Paul Emerick then scored a try on a long uncontested run to give back the advantage to the Americans just before half-time. Swiryn added the conversion to make it 14-8 at the break.
In the second-half, Kikutani barreled through the American defence from just outside the try-line for a try in the 53rd minute to move the hosts within a point. Shaun Webb put Japan back on top 15-14 with the conversion.
Usuzuki extended Japan's winning margin to 20-14 with a try in the 66th minute.
Japan, who lost to Italy 31-24 in Cesena last week, made twelve changes for the match. USA coach Eddie O'Sullivan made eight changes to his side after losing 27-7 to Canada in Glendale, Colorado, last weekend.
Japan will face France in its opening Pool A World Cup match on September 10, while the USA begin their campaign in Pool C against Ireland the day after.
The scorers:
For Japan:
Tries: Ueda, Kikutani, Usuzuki
Con: Webb
Drop: Nicholas
For USA:
Tries: Swiryn, Emerick
Con: Malifa, Swiryn
The teams:
Japan: 15 Taihei Ueda, 14 Takehisa Usuzuki, 13 Alisi Tupuailai, 12 Ryan Nicholas, 11 Hirotoki Onozawa, 10 Murray Williams, 9 Tomoki Yoshida, 8 Takashi Kikutani, 7 Tadasuke Nishihara, 6 Sione Vatuvei, 5 Luke Thompson, 4 Hitoshi Ono, 3 Nozomu Fujita, 2 Yusuke Aoki, 1 Naoki Kawamata.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 18 Toshizumi Kitagawa, 19 Itaru Taniguchi, 20 Atsushi Hiwasa, 21 Koji Taira, 22 Shaun Webb.
USA Eagles: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Kevin Swiryn, 13 Tai Enosa, 12 Paul Emerick, 11 James Paterson, 10 Nese Malifa, 9 Mike Petri (c), 8 JJ Gagiano, 7 Louis Stanfill, 6 Patrick Danahy, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 Scott LaValla, 3 Eric Fry, 2 Phillip Thiel, 1 Mike Macdonald.
Replacements: 16 Chris Biller, 17 Shawn Pittman, 18 Nic Johnson, 19 Ryan Chapman, 20 Tim Usasz, 21 Roland Suniula, 22 Andrew Suniula.
Referee: Jérôme Garces (France)
Comments
TheWinger says...
Tom, the Argentine national team will play in the old tri antions next year against SAF, NZL & Oz. There alsow as a Pacific Islanders team are eyar or two back which toured Europe. Problem is fot hat side to be in super rugby you first have to get the Aussies to admit they don't have the talent for 5 sides & secondly most of the top island palyers play in NZ or Oz already in the super 15.
Posted 16:58 26th August 2011
tombomb says...
i think its about time the usa and canada enter one professional team each in to the rabodirect pro12 and for wales to drop one of there's to strengthen the other three welsh teams i also think it would be a good idea if argentina and japan had at least one pro team playing it the super 15 if the irb did this i think it would be great for world rugby.ohh and maybe even a island team form fiji tonga and samoa i think that could be some bruiser of a team.
Posted 23:48 23rd August 2011
5Lock4ward says...
@Islandpower, I must agree w/ Milesman1 in that the lack of time together and varied professional experiences/philosophies from the pros makes a coherent plan difficult. The lack of a quality fly-half severely hampers the Eagles ability to unleash their talented back 3 for expansive running rugby.
@Milesman1, I agree w/ basically everything you said. I think a pro league in N. America involving Canadian and American based club teams would do wonders for both nations.
Posted 16:36 22nd August 2011
milesman1 says...
Without a professional league, the States will not improve any more than they have in the current world rankings in the near future. They now have more than half the squad playing professionally, but they are abroad. This brings different coaching, philosophies, and an increased lack of familiarisation with their own national teamates for such a 'young' rugby nation. Given the lack of time they are allowed to play together, including their strong base of amateur players too, and it's a wonder they are as competitive as they are.
Japan are making great strides, but it really is only a matter of time before the States get league and take it up a few notches. Their grass roots base is growing.
Posted 11:24 22nd August 2011