Historic win for Japan, Kiwis roar
Source: AFP |
June 16, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
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JAPAN made history yesterday by beating Six Nations champion Wales 23-8 in Tokyo for its first ever victory over a major rugby nation in nearly 80 years of international competition.
Second-half tries from foreign-born players Craig Wing and Michael Broadhurst helped re-write the record books for Japan against a depleted Wales, which was missing its head coach and 15 players because of the British and Irish Lions tour.
Despite the unfamiliar Welsh line-up, the result is a boost for rugby in Japan, the host of the 2019 World Cup which has played in all seven editions of the tournament so far but has won only once, against minnow Zimbabwe in 1991.
"I'm very proud of the team. They have created a history today to become the first Japanese team to beat a top 10 team in the world," said Japan coach Eddie Jones.
"Obviously Wales haven't the best 15 players, but today we played a very good game of Test rugby and it's another step forward for the team."
Japan played its first international fixtures in the 1930s, and it first took on a Wales XV in Cardiff in 1973. In nine full Tests with Wales, Japan has been on the wrong end of some giant scores including a 0-98 blowout in 2004.
However, steeled by last week's narrow 18-22 defeat, Japan edged the first half 6-3 thanks to the boot of fullback Ayumu Goromaru, and after a Welsh try on 44 minutes it hit back with two of its own before wrapping up a worthy win.
In Christchurch, New Zealand, the All Blacks celebrated their 500th Test with a thumping 30-0 win over old rival France.
An astute kicking game laid the groundwork and the All Blacks powered home after an early try to Julian Savea and two crowd-pleasing scores in the second half from Ben Smith and Beauden Barrett.
The All Blacks' 378th victory in 500 internationals, which makes them one of the most successful teams in all sports, follows last week's 23-13 win in Auckland and gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series. The home team led 10-0 at half-time and added 20 points in the second period, while France, which ran New Zealand close last week, finished scoreless against it for the first time.
In Sydney, the British and Irish Lions thrashed the NSW Waratahs 47-17 to stay unbeaten in five tour matches and with the first of three Tests against Australia just a week away. The Lions ran in five tries, including a brace by Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who also enjoyed another golden night with the boot with eight successful penalties and conversions.
Samoa beat Italy 39-10 to reach the final of a 4-nation tournament in South Africa.
Second-half tries from foreign-born players Craig Wing and Michael Broadhurst helped re-write the record books for Japan against a depleted Wales, which was missing its head coach and 15 players because of the British and Irish Lions tour.
Despite the unfamiliar Welsh line-up, the result is a boost for rugby in Japan, the host of the 2019 World Cup which has played in all seven editions of the tournament so far but has won only once, against minnow Zimbabwe in 1991.
"I'm very proud of the team. They have created a history today to become the first Japanese team to beat a top 10 team in the world," said Japan coach Eddie Jones.
"Obviously Wales haven't the best 15 players, but today we played a very good game of Test rugby and it's another step forward for the team."
Japan played its first international fixtures in the 1930s, and it first took on a Wales XV in Cardiff in 1973. In nine full Tests with Wales, Japan has been on the wrong end of some giant scores including a 0-98 blowout in 2004.
However, steeled by last week's narrow 18-22 defeat, Japan edged the first half 6-3 thanks to the boot of fullback Ayumu Goromaru, and after a Welsh try on 44 minutes it hit back with two of its own before wrapping up a worthy win.
In Christchurch, New Zealand, the All Blacks celebrated their 500th Test with a thumping 30-0 win over old rival France.
An astute kicking game laid the groundwork and the All Blacks powered home after an early try to Julian Savea and two crowd-pleasing scores in the second half from Ben Smith and Beauden Barrett.
The All Blacks' 378th victory in 500 internationals, which makes them one of the most successful teams in all sports, follows last week's 23-13 win in Auckland and gives them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-game series. The home team led 10-0 at half-time and added 20 points in the second period, while France, which ran New Zealand close last week, finished scoreless against it for the first time.
In Sydney, the British and Irish Lions thrashed the NSW Waratahs 47-17 to stay unbeaten in five tour matches and with the first of three Tests against Australia just a week away. The Lions ran in five tries, including a brace by Welsh fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who also enjoyed another golden night with the boot with eight successful penalties and conversions.
Samoa beat Italy 39-10 to reach the final of a 4-nation tournament in South Africa.
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