Japan 57-12 Canada match report

A dominant set piece led Japan to a comfortable 57-12 victory over Canada on Saturday. While the Brave Blossoms weren’t quite at their clinical best, they had more than enough to cruise past a depleted Maple Leafs side in Niigata. The Canadians were missing several of their top players, including flyhalf Cooper Coats who pulled out on the eve of the match after suffering an injury in training.

It didn’t take long for the home side to exert pressure on their guests. A scrum penalty led to the opening try, scored by prop Takato Okabe via the rolling maul. Japan again moved into scoring position and again went to the lineout drive, and this time it was a more traditional finish with hooker Mamoru Harada getting credit for the score.

Canada replied through Takoda McMullin, who made something out of nothing just before the 20-minute mark. The fullback sliced back against the grain to catch the Japanese defense off-guard and swan dive in under the posts, converting his own to make it 12-7. Another scrum penalty, however, set up a third try via the maul. Imposing flanker Ben Gunter, who had already put in some thumping tackles, fell over the line to take the credit.

Inoke Burua, celebrating his first cap, popped up on the opposite wing and broke through, but lost possession in his second carry of the move as he was headed for the line. Not long after he slipped a tackle on the right side and put Yuya Hirose in for an easy finish. Just before halftime Kanji Shimokawa finished off a long attacking sequence in the corner to make it 31-7 to the Brave Blossoms.

Two scores were gifted to Japan by soft Canadian mistakes. A handling error in front of the posts gave Harada an open lane to grab a double after possession was secured. The Maple Leafs held out while replacements began to stream into the match, until an overthrow at a lineout deep in their own end handed the ball straight to Harry Hockings. The towering lock needed only a couple steps before crashing over for a seventh Japan try.

Lucas Rumball won a breakdown penalty inside Brave Blossoms territory, and a quick tap allowed Ben LeSage to slip into the corner. It was a consolation effort, as Japan finished the game in style. Replacement prop Takumi Ikaba went in for a try on debut after a line break from front row mate Kenji Sato. A searing break by Haruto Kida on the left wing pinned Canada on their line, and Tiennan Costley reached over with time up on the clock to close out the scoring.

Both sides head south to Osaka for the start of the streamlined Pacific Nations Cup next weekend. The Brave Blossoms host the USA Eagles, while the Canadians try their luck against the Flying Fijians.