RUGBY IN JAPAN (RiJ)

Vol.7, No.26

By Ian MacDonnell contact ianmcdo@apost.plala.or.jp

 

Samoa win the PNC 2010, but Japan manages two wins for the first time. Enjoy the read!

 

Contents:

¡       ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010 – Japan 26 d Tonga 23

¡       Samoa win the PNC!

¡       Odds & Sods:

s     IRB Ranking: 12 (71.92, 21 June 2010). New record high!

s     Todd Clever joins Suntory

s     The Think-tank:

¡       Looking Ahead:

s     The Endless Possibilities for November

ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010

June 2010

 

Now in its fifth year, the International Rugby Board (IRB) funded ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010 involves the three island nations Fiji, Samoa and Tonga along with Japan. New Zealand and Australia have not committed teams for 2010.

 

In 2006 this tournament kicked off as the Pacific Five Nations and involved Fiji, Japan, the Junior All Blacks (JAB), Samoa and Tonga. Australia A joined the competition in 2007 and the tournament name changed to its present moniker of Pacific Nations Cup. The same format was maintained for 2008 with the exception being the Maori were the New Zealand representative side rather than the Junior All Blacks.

 

In 2009, the Junior All Blacks (JAB) replaced the Maori as the New Zealand representative team, while Australia A did not participate in last year’s tournament. The 2009 tournament was condensed with the majority of the games played in Fiji rather than the home and away format of the three previous years. Also in 2009, ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group) came on board as the presenting sponsor for the tournament.

 

This year, Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga will take part in the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010. Except for the opening game between Fiji and Japan at Churchill Park in Lautoka, Fiji, Samoa and the Samoan Rugby Union will host the 2010 competition with the remaining five games slated for Apia Park in the capital city of Apia. With the tournament again largely being hosted in one country, refereeing and coaching workshops along with junior rugby clinics are planned for the two week duration of the event. This is also the first time for Samoa to host a major international 15-a-side rugby tournament. The occasion is also a fillip for Samoa after the 2009 Samoa Earthquake, an 8.1M submarine earthquake and resulting tsunami struck the area on 29 September causing significant damage and loss of life across the region.

 

 

Previous Winners

The New Zealand representative sides have won all four previous titles.

2009: The Junior All Blacks. The JAB again took the PNC title undefeated on 19 points. Fiji were runner-up on 14 points followed by Samoa on 12 points, while Japan finished fourth on 6 points with one win and three losses. Tonga took the wooden spoon on one point.

2008: The New Zealand Maori. The Maori took the PNC title undefeated with 21 points when they beat Australia A 21-18 in the final game in Sydney. Australia A finished runner-up on 20 points. Japan finished fifth on 7 points with one win and four losses.

2007: The Junior All Blacks. The JAB took the PNC title undefeated with 25 points garnering maximum points in each game. Australia A finished a distant runner-up on 16 points after they lost to the JAB and drew with Fiji. Japan finished last on 4 points with one win and four losses.

2006: The Junior All Blacks. The JAB took the P5N title undefeated with 20 points with maximum points in each game. Japan finished last on 0 points with four losses.

 

 

ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010 Results (Final)

Round

Date

Teams

Venue

Kick-off

Round 1

Saturday, 12 June 2010

Samoa 24 (3Ts) d Tonga 23 (2Ts)

Apia Park, Apia

15:10

 

 

Fiji 22 (3Ts) d Japan 8 (1T)

Churchill Park, Lautoka

15:10

 

 

 

 

 

Round 2

Saturday, 19 June 2010

Fiji 41 (5Ts) d Tonga 38 (5Ts)

Apia Park, Apia

13:10

 

 

Japan 31 (3Ts) d Samoa 23 (3Ts)

Apia Park, Apia

15:40

 

 

 

 

 

Round 3

Saturday, 26 June 2010

Japan 26 (2Ts) d Tonga 23 (2Ts)

Apia Park, Apia

13:10

 

 

Samoa 31 (5Ts) d Fiji 9

Apia Park, Apia

16:10

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010 Table (Final)

Team

P

W

L

F

A

+/-

BP1

BP2

Pts

Samoa

3

2

1

78

63

15

1

-

9

Fiji

3

2

1

72

77

-5

1

-

9

Japan

3

2

1

65

68

-3

-

-

8

Tonga

3

0

3

84

91

-7

1

3

4

 

 

Round 3 (Final)

 

Japan 26 d Tonga 23

 

Japan 26 – Tries: Kensuke Hatakeyama, penalty try; Conversions: James Arlidge 2; Penalties: James Arlidge 4 d.

Tonga 23 – Tries: William Helu, Alipate Fatafehi; Conversions: Kurt Morath 2; Penalties: Kurt Morath 3.

 

Date: Saturday, 26 June 2010.

Venue: Apia Park, Apia, Samoa.

Japan Test Number: 258.

Kick-off: 1:10 PM local Samoa time. (9:10 AM on Sunday, 27 June Japan time. I.E.: Japan is 20 hours ahead of Apia)

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia).

Conditions: Fine, light breeze, hot and humid. Firm ground.

Attendance: 5,000.

Halftime: Japan 6 – Tonga 10.

Yellow Card: Aleki Lutui (Tonga No.16, 40 min 2H, repeated team infringements).

 

Previous Encounters:

Prior to this test Japan and Tonga have met on 10 occasions dating back to 1990. Japan have won 5 and Tonga 5.

Japan 21 - Tonga 19, 27 June 2009, Lautoka, 4th PNC.

Japan 35 - Tonga 17, 15 June 2008, Sendai, 3rd PNC.

Japan 20 - Tonga 17, 2 June 2007, Coffs Harbour, 2nd Pacific Nations Cup (PNC).

Japan 16 - Tonga 57, 4 June 2006, Fukuoka, Pacific Five Nations (P5N).

Japan 29 - Tonga 41, 26 May 2002, Kumagaya.

Japan 25 - Tonga 26, 3 June 2000, Chichibu, Tokyo, 5th PRC.

Japan 44 - Tonga 17, 8 May 1999, Chichibu, Tokyo, 4th Pacific Rim Championship (PRC).

Japan 16 - Tonga 24, 19 Feb 1995, Chichibu, Tokyo.

Japan 16 - Tonga 47, 11 Feb 1995, Mizuho, Nagoya.

Japan 28 - Tonga 16, 8 Apr 1990, Chichibu, Tokyo (1991 RWC qualifier).

 

NB: the Pacific Five Nations evolved into the Pacific Nations Cup and so 2007 can be considered the second year of the Pacific Nations Cup.

 

 

Japan (IRB rank 12 (71.92), at 21 June 2010)

Pos.

Name

Club

Age

Hgt/Wgt

Caps

1

Hisateru HIRASHIMA

Kobe Steelers

27

180/115

17

2

Shota HORIE

Sanyo Wild Knights

24

180/104

8

3

Kensuke HATAKEYAMA

Suntory Sungoliath

24

178/122

14

4

Hitoshi ONO

Toshiba Brave Lupus

32

192/105

43

5

Toshizumi KITAGAWA

Toyota Verblitz

29

195/110

31

6

Takashi KIKUTANI (c)

Toyota Verblitz

30

187/100

33

7

Toetu’u TAUFA

Kintetsu Liners

29

183/108

16

8

Koliniasi Ryu HOLANI

Sanyo Wild Knights

28

188/111

12

9

Fumiaki TANAKA

Sanyo Wild Knights

25

166/75

20

10

James ARLIDGE

Newport Dragons (Wales)

30

187/93

23

11

Hirotoki ONOZAWA

Suntory Sungoliath

32

180/87

57

12

Ryan NICHOLAS

Suntory Sungoliath

31

192/100

23

13

Alisi TUPUAILEI

Canon Eagles

29

187/116

9

14

Kosuke ENDO

Toyota Verblitz

29

186/90

32

15

Kaoru MATSUSHITA

Toyota Verblitz

26

185/86

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

Hiroki YUHARA

Toshiba Brave Lupus

26

173/105

4

17

Naoki KAWAMATA

Sanyo Wild Knights

24

184/118

9

18

Luke THOMPSON

Kintetsu Liners

29

195/108

25

19

Michael LEITCH

Tokai Uni.

21

190/103

12

20

Koji WADA

Toyota Verblitz

25

173/78

4

21

Shaun WEBB

Coca-Cola Red Sparks

28

180/90

22

22

Ryo KANAZAWA

Ricoh Black Rams

28

174/86

3

Head Coach: John Kirwan (NZ). (40 tests as head coach, for 23 wins, a draw and 16 losses.)

 

Subs

16 not used.

17 subbed 1, 32 min 2H.

18 subbed 5, 11 min 2H.

19 subbed 8, 0 min 2H.

20 subbed 9, 36 min 2H.

21 subbed 15, 16 min 2H.

22 subbed 12, 5 min 1H.

 

 

‘Ikale Tahi Tonga (IRB rank 16 (76.63) at 21 June 2010)

 

Name

Club

Age

Hgt/Wgt

1

Toma Toke

Doncaster, Eng.

25

185/100

2

Sione Vaiomounga

Toloa OB, Tonga

21

177/85

3

Makoni Finau

Lavengamalie, Tonga

26

188/115

4

Alepini Olosoni

Counties Manukau, NZ

31

192/110

5

Steve Mafi

West Harbour, Aus

20

193/105

6

Kelepi Halafihi

Spartans, Tonga

25

190/102

7

Haani Halaeua

Counties Manukau, NZ

24

187/95

8

Sione Kalamafoni (c)

Liahona OBs, Tonga

22

192/117

9

Mahe Fangupo

Havelu Bull Dogs, Tonga

21

184/90

10

Kurt Morath

Clonakilty, Ire.

25

185/87

11

Alaska Taufa

Akita, Jap.

26

189/103

12

Andrew Mailei

Bordeaux, Fra.

31

178/85

13

Alipate Fatafehi

North Harbour, NZ

25

193/109

14

William Helu

Grenoble, Fra.

24

189/99

15

Vungakoto Lilo

Bordeaux, Fra.

27

187/95

 

 

 

 

 

16

Aleki Lutui

Worcester, Eng.

31

185/95

17

Po’alo’i Taula

Counties Manukau, NZ

31

185/112

18

Aloisio Mailangi

Kolofo’ou, Tonga

31

188/104

19

Paula Kata

Marist, Samoa

22

186/102

20

Samisoni Fisilau

Counties Manukau, NZ

22

182/95

21

Manu Ahota’e’iloa

Agen, Fra.

23

188/109

22

Saia Fekitoa

Brive, Fra.

22

176/89

Head Coach: Isitolo Maka.

 

Subs

16 subbed 2, 37 min 1H.

17 subbed 3, 12 min 2H.

18 subbed 6, 14 min 2H.

19 subbed 7, 37 min 1H.

20 subbed 9, 14 min 2H.

21 subbed 14, 31 min 2H.

22 subbed 12, 4 min 2H.

 

 

NB: Cap counts for Tonga are not included as no reliable information is available.

 

Preview

After beating Samoa for the first time in eleven years and rising to a record high of twelve in the IRB World Rankings Japan will be full of confidence when they take on Tonga at Apia Park in the capital city of Samoa on Saturday, 26 June 2010. Although Tonga have lost both of their ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010 games to date the Ikale Tahi have also risen one place in the rankings from seventeen to sixteen after what has been relatively good form without the results to show for it in the tournament so far.

 

In the ten previous encounters between Japan and Tonga since 1990 both sides have won five apiece but Japan has the psychological upper hand going into this clash after beating their rivals over the last three years of the PNC. Tonga comprehensively beat the Jean-Pierre Elissalde coached side 57-16 in Fukuoka in 2006 but since then under John Kirwan Japan have beaten Tonga in Coffs Harbour, Sendai and then Lautoka last year. Eight of the previous ten tests have been played in Japan with the other two played on neutral territory in Australia and Fiji and 2010 is another case of a neutral venue with the tournament largely being held in Samoa.

 

In round one Japan looked flat as they went down to a youthful yet enthusiastic Fiji 22-8 in Lautoka on Saturday 12 June but they well and truly turned things around with an historic 31-23 win over Samoa in Apia last weekend. Japan led 25-6 at the break against Samoa and although the home side came out and won the second half the visitors had enough points on the board to chalk up only their second win over Manu Samoa and the first one away from Japan.

 

On the other hand, in a one point game in round one Tonga went down to Samoa 24-23 and then lost to Fiji 41-38 in round two. The loss to Fiji was particularly disappointing for Tonga as they led 31-10 at halftime before allowing Fiji back into the game on the back of two yellow cards. All-in-all, however, Tonga will be smarting from these two close losses and if Isitolo Maka’s side can learn from their mistakes and maintain their discipline over eighty minutes of rugby their first win over Japan in four years is on the cards.

 

Nevertheless, it goes without saying that Japan will be out to prevent this from happening and in the process finish the PNC tournament with two wins for the first time.

 

 

Wrap-up

At the end of the day, Japan beat Tonga 26-23 in the final round of the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010 in Apia to stretch their winning streak to four in a row over their Pacific rivals. However, it took a late yellow card to Tongan replacement hooker Aleki Lutui followed by a penalty try awarded by referee Steve Walsh after a series of collapsed scrums and penalties on the Tongan goal line for the Japanese to come up with their second win in a PNC tournament for the first time ever.

 

Tonga used their size and big hits to intimidate the Japanese attack throughout the match, but even so the Japan side stayed close enough on the scoreboard to enable them to press for the try they needed well after the final hooter had sounded to bridge the four point gap. The try eventually came in the form of a penalty try after the Tongan scrum left Walsh with no alternative other than to run under the posts to award the try and consequently hand the match to Japan.

 

Five-eighth James Arlidge missed a penalty goal attempt in the very first minute of the game and this was turned around by Tonga one minute later when William Helu, the strapping left winger scooped up ball spilt by Japan centre Alisi Tupuailei to weave his way some 70 metres to the Japanese try line for the opening points of the test. Five-eighth Kurt Morath added the extras and then a penalty in the tenth minute to help Tonga to a healthy 10-nill lead. Although Tonga had the better of the first half a high rate of unforced errors and problems at the line out in a fickle breeze meant Tonga could not extend their lead with Arlidge landing two penalties in the half to leave Tonga only leading 10-6 at the break. For Japan, perhaps their thoughts were with inside centre Ryan Nicholas who was stretchered off the field in a neck brace after only a few minutes of play. This, together with the physical Tongan approach to the game seemed to rattle the Japanese, but with only four points between the two sides at halftime anything was still possible in the second half.

 

Tonga started the second half the same way they started the first with points in the opening minutes when Morath landed his second penalty to stretch the lead to 13-6. Arlidge pegged back the difference to four points again when he landed his third penalty in the fourth minute and then Japan hit the front for the first time in the tenth minute when tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama scored his fifth try in fourteen test match appearances. Arlidge converted the try to put Japan out to a 16-13 lead. Tonga fought back though with giant centre Alipate Fatafehi chipping and regathering his own kick in the twenty-sixth minute to sprint away for the second try of the afternoon for the Ikale Tahi. Morath converted the try then the respective five-eighths traded penalties to have Tonga leading 23-19 in the shadows of full-time. The final call in the test was left to the referee when he was justifiably forced to award the penalty try after the Tongan scrum continually failed to hold on their own goal line. For some the call could be seen as controversial but the very experienced referee went through the due process that finally forced his hand. Disappointment for sure for Tonga with three straight losses in the 2010 tournament but joy for Japan who finished with two wins for the first time in the five year history of the PNC.

 

 

 

Samoa 31 d Fiji 9

 

Samoa 31 – Tries: Alafoti Faosilivia 2, Joe Tekori, Mikaele Pesamino and Uale Mai; Conversions: Lolo Lui 3 d.

Fiji 9 – Penalties: Taniela Rawaqa.

 

Date: Saturday, 26 June 2010.

Venue: Apia Park, Apia, Samoa.

Kick-off: 4:10 PM local Samoa time.

Referee: Romain Poite (France).

Attendance: N/A.

Halftime: Samoa 14 – Fiji 3.

Yellow Cards: Rupeni Nasiga (Fiji No.18) and Manaia Salavea (Samoa No.7).

 

Samoa: 1- Sakaria Taulafo, 2- Mahonri Schwalger (c), 3- Anthony Perenise, 4- Kane Thompson, 5- Joe Tekori, 6- Ofisa Treviranus, 7- Manaia Salavea, 8- George Stowers, 9- Uale Mai, 10- Lolo Lui, 11- David Lemi, 12- Jamie Helleur, 13- George Pisi, 14- Mikaele Pesamino and 15- Paul Williams.

Reserves: 16- Andrew Williams, 17- Census Johnstone, 18- Filipo Levi, 19- Alafoti Faosilivia, 20- Junior Poluleuligaga, 21- Fautua Otto and 22- Reupena Levasa.

Head Coach: Fuimaono Tafua.

 

Fiji: 1- Campese Ma’afu, 2- Viliame Veikoso, 3- Alefoso Yalayalatabua, 4- Sekonaia Kalou, 5- Leone Nakarawa, 6- Dominiko Waqaniburotu (c), 7- Samu Volau, 8- Mosese Volavola, 9- Nikola Matawalu, 10- Jonetani Ralulu, 11- William Saukuru, 12- Iliesa Keresoni, 13- Sireli Naqelevuki, 14- Ropate Ratu and 15- Taniela Rawaqa.

Reserves: 16- Talemaitoga Tuapatu, 17- Graham Dewes, 18- Rupeni Nasiga, 19- Dale Tonawai, 20- Kelemedi Bolatagane, 21- Josatiki Naisilisili and 22- Epeli Ruivadra.

Head Coach: Samu Domoni.

 

Preview

Going into the final round, Fiji head the standings on nine points from Japan and Samoa both on four points. Thus, only a miracle will now prevent Fiji from etching their name on the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup for the first time as a win, draw or bonus point of any kind will be enough to ensure Fiji take the title.

 

In 2009, Fiji beat Samoa 19-14 in Lautoka while in 2008 Fiji had a big 34-17 win at the same Churchill Park venue in Lautoka. Meanwhile, in 2007 Samoa won 8-3 in heavy rain at Apia Park while in 2006 Fiji won 23-20 in Suva. Overall, Fiji have won three of the past four ANZ Pacific Nations Cup encounters and with Fiji ranked ten in the most recent IRB World Rankings and Samoa dropping to thirteen, on paper at least Fiji will head into this game with the favourites tag.

 

In round one Fiji beat Japan 22-8 in a home game at Lautoka in the only game in 2010 to be played outside Samoa while in round two the Fijians claimed victory in a dramatic come from behind 41-38 win over Tonga at Apia Park. On the other hand, Samoa scrambled past Tonga 24-23 in their first game before going down to Japan 31-23 last Saturday. It has been a mixed tournament for the hosts but the home fans can expect a big performance from their men in blue as they attempt to finish on a winning note.

 

Wrap-up

Leading into the final game of the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup 2010, Fiji had one hand on the trophy with a five point gap and sizeable points differential over both Samoa and Japan. Consequently, one could have been forgiven for thinking that Fiji as the form team of 2010 were going to be the first non-New Zealand side to etch their name on the trophy. However, Samoa failed to read the Fijian script and scored five tries to none to come up with a bonus point win while denying the Fijians even a sniff of a bonus point of their own. The eventual 31-9 score line was enough for Samoa to draw level with Fiji on nine competition points but the big win gave the hosts a plus fifteen differential while the loss for Fiji saw them finish with a minus five points differential. As a result, Samoa proved that miracles still do happen on the rugby field as they lifted the PNC trophy to go with the IRB Sevens World Series 2009-10 title they won earlier in the month.

 

Samoa led 14-3 at the halftime break on the back of two converted first half tries to lock Joe Tekori and IRB Sevens play of the year wing Mikaele Pesamino. Second half replacement backrower Alafoti Faosilivia scored a double in his time on the field with his second in the thirty-third minute bringing up the vital four try bonus point. Halfback Uale Mai put the icing on the cake with the fifth Samoan try just inside fulltime while five-eight Lolo Lui contributed to the win with three successful conversion kicks. Fullback Taniela Rawaqa scored all the points for Fiji with three penalties.

 

 

Odds & Sods

Odds & Sods brings the reader weekly news shorts, gossip and general happenings from the world of Rugby in Japan.

 

News in Japan: Catching the headlines in Japan this week are – Sumo is in the poo again. This time it is widespread baseball gambling of the illegal kind that could kill the Nagoya tourney in July in the worst case scenario.

 

USA captain Todd Clever (27) is to join Suntory after three years with the Lions in South Africa.

 

IRB ranking on 21 June 2010 - Japan were 12 (71.92). This is a record high for Japan.

 

The Think-tank:

 

 

Looking Ahead

Looking Ahead gives the reader future dates for the diary and other great things to look forward to in Rugby in Japan.

 

November 2010

There is the possibility that the New Zealand Maori and maybe even the Wallabies will play against Japan in the November window month.

 

Another alternative being considered is three matches in November against Rod McQueen’s Melbourne Rebels ahead of their debut in the expanded Super 15 competition in 2011.

 

There is the added possibility that there will be no games for Japan in the autumn to allow the test level players to freshen up ahead of the very heavy schedule in 2011 leading up to the RWC in NZ late in the year.

 

Furthermore, there is also the rumour that Japan will play Italy home and away in November.

 

Plan E has Russia and also Samoa playing in Japan in November.

 

Into the Future

With the IRB working towards re-introducing traditional long tours there will be spin-offs for Japan in the lead-up to this country hosting the 2019 RWC. Although it is not set in concrete, a bevy of tier one countries are pencilled in to tour Japan with Wales touring in 2013, Scotland in 2016, Ireland in 2017 and Italy in 2018.