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Tonga still alive after beating Japan
Source: Agencies |
September 22, 2011, Thursday
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TONGA beat Japan 31-18 in an open, entertaining and error-ridden clash yesterday to keep alive its slim hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for the first time.
Tonga's hulking forward pack enjoyed total dominance during scrum time and the breakdown proved a fruitful source of possession as its physical advantage proved too much at the Northland Events Centre.
Both sides ran in three tries but it was the kicking of flyhalf Kurt Morath that proved the difference as, despite a lack of discipline and poor decision-making in the team, his 16 points with the boot helped overcome the Pacific Nations champion.
Tonga must now beat France in its final game with a bonus point and hope the Europeans lose to New Zealand heavily on Saturday to reach the last eight.
"It's better to beat them here than at the Pacific Nations," Tonga coach Isitolo Maka told reporters, referring to his team's loss to Japan at the Pacific Nations Cup in July.
"It means more here. This win has lifted all of us."
The Tongan forwards tore into their opponents from the kickoff after Japan captain Takashi Kikutani spilled the ball from a huge hit in his own 22 in the opening play.
Six minutes of Tongan pressure followed before No. 8 Viliami Ma'afu drove over from short range after the Japan scrum had been wheeled towards the touchline under immense pressure.
The Japanese forwards looked rattled but bounced back from their early roughing up to snatch a try with their first attack in the 14th minute through Kensuke Hatakeyama.
The prop picked and drove over from the back of a ruck on the Tongan line and, despite appearing to make a double movement, was awarded the score by the video referee.
Tonga, however, replied instantly when lock Tukulua Lokotui was on hand to run in an easy overlap after the ball had popped out of the ruck on the Tongan side from the restart.
Japan replied once again when slack Tongan defending allowed inside centre Ryan Nicholas to break through and, after quick recycled ball and another slick handling move, flanker Michael Leitch powered over in the corner in the 26th minute.
The two sides gave away 27 penalties between them and Morath was on form with the boot and slotted another two minutes later to extend the lead.
"The breakdown was the difference," said Japan coach John Kirwan. "Obviously it's very disappointing but Tonga were very physical and we had too many turnovers."
Morath's counterpart James Arlidge had a poor evening, failing to convert the opening two tries, he was sin-binned in the 31st minute after racing into an offside position to intercept a pass as Tonga threatened once again.
Morath kicked the three points to extend the lead to 18-10 but despite being a man down, fullback Shaun Webb kicked a penalty just before the break for Japan's "Brave Blossoms" to close the gap to five.
Tonga ran in its third try in the 54th minute when winger Fetu'u Vainikolo cut inside and barged through a poor tackle by Arlidge to score with Morath converting to stretch the lead to 28-13.
Tonga's hulking forward pack enjoyed total dominance during scrum time and the breakdown proved a fruitful source of possession as its physical advantage proved too much at the Northland Events Centre.
Both sides ran in three tries but it was the kicking of flyhalf Kurt Morath that proved the difference as, despite a lack of discipline and poor decision-making in the team, his 16 points with the boot helped overcome the Pacific Nations champion.
Tonga must now beat France in its final game with a bonus point and hope the Europeans lose to New Zealand heavily on Saturday to reach the last eight.
"It's better to beat them here than at the Pacific Nations," Tonga coach Isitolo Maka told reporters, referring to his team's loss to Japan at the Pacific Nations Cup in July.
"It means more here. This win has lifted all of us."
The Tongan forwards tore into their opponents from the kickoff after Japan captain Takashi Kikutani spilled the ball from a huge hit in his own 22 in the opening play.
Six minutes of Tongan pressure followed before No. 8 Viliami Ma'afu drove over from short range after the Japan scrum had been wheeled towards the touchline under immense pressure.
The Japanese forwards looked rattled but bounced back from their early roughing up to snatch a try with their first attack in the 14th minute through Kensuke Hatakeyama.
The prop picked and drove over from the back of a ruck on the Tongan line and, despite appearing to make a double movement, was awarded the score by the video referee.
Tonga, however, replied instantly when lock Tukulua Lokotui was on hand to run in an easy overlap after the ball had popped out of the ruck on the Tongan side from the restart.
Japan replied once again when slack Tongan defending allowed inside centre Ryan Nicholas to break through and, after quick recycled ball and another slick handling move, flanker Michael Leitch powered over in the corner in the 26th minute.
The two sides gave away 27 penalties between them and Morath was on form with the boot and slotted another two minutes later to extend the lead.
"The breakdown was the difference," said Japan coach John Kirwan. "Obviously it's very disappointing but Tonga were very physical and we had too many turnovers."
Morath's counterpart James Arlidge had a poor evening, failing to convert the opening two tries, he was sin-binned in the 31st minute after racing into an offside position to intercept a pass as Tonga threatened once again.
Morath kicked the three points to extend the lead to 18-10 but despite being a man down, fullback Shaun Webb kicked a penalty just before the break for Japan's "Brave Blossoms" to close the gap to five.
Tonga ran in its third try in the 54th minute when winger Fetu'u Vainikolo cut inside and barged through a poor tackle by Arlidge to score with Morath converting to stretch the lead to 28-13.
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