PNC - Fiji survive Japanese scare

Tries by Sireli Nagelevuki, Taniela Rawaqa and Vereniki Goneva ensured the Fijians left Japan with a 24-12 victory under their belt.

Rawaqa added three conversions and a penalty for the visitors, while James Arlidge slotted over four penalties for Japan.

“We always knew it was going to be tough playing Japan in Japan,” said Fiji coach Ilivasi Tabua. “It was not until the final 15 minutes that the game changed.”

While the Fijians were more than relieved to come away with the win – their second in the competition, there was nothing but disappointment for Japan, who had beaten Tonga last week.

“We threw the game away through errors and turnovers,” said Japan coach John Kirwan. “We had ample opportunity to win today but threw the game away with errors.”

Fijian indiscipline at the breakdown and the trusty right boot of Arlidge had seen Japan go into the break 9-3 up.

But with the Fijians playing the more patient rugby in the second half, Japan saw their hopes of a famous victory dashed as the visitors lived off Japanese errors.

Nagelevuki made the most of a handling error by Shaun Webb to cross for the opening try in the 50th minute, and although Arlidge restored Japan’s lead four minutes later with his fourth penalty, it was his error that led to Fiji’s second try.

The flyhalf scuffed his kick so badly it hit one of his teammates and from the resulting scrum, Rawaqa made the most of a good midfield break by Nagelevuki to score Fiji’s second try.

The fullback added the extras and was again on target in the final minute as Goneva ruined any hopes Japan had of snatching victory.

“We told the boys at halftime to play in their territory and make Japan make mistakes and score from them and we did,” said Tabua.

Japan captain Takuro Miuchi led by example, constantly getting over the gain line and scooping up loose balls on what was a miserable wet day in the nation’s capital.

“In the first half we played to our game plan,” he said. “But in the second half Fiji were getting their hands on the ball at the breakdown and stopped us from getting quick ball. It was a game we should have won.”