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Fakatava (2', 54'), Dearns (37'), Greene (58'), Gunter (64'), Osada (72'), Ishida (76', 84')
Tries
Parry (22'), MacKail (78')
Lee (3', 38', 55', 65', 73', 77', 85')
Conversions
Nelson (23')
Lee (12')
Penalties
Nelson (29')
After surprise wins for Tonga and Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup 2025 opener last week, both teams were given a reality check this weekend, and Canada were on the wrong end of a 57-15 defeat to the Brave Blossoms in Yurtec Stadium in Sendai.
A close opening half saw Canada stick with the hosts despite going down 10-0 early, and Japan conceded a late yellow card in the half, which saw the halftime score read 17-10 in favour of Japan.
However, the second half was a different story as the Japanese pace and execution shone as they ran in tries aplenty, especially in the final quarter. Their inexperienced front row also helped them win multiple scrum penalties during the back end of the match.
Warner Dearns was outstanding in his first role as the Brave Blossoms captain, as was number 8 Amato Fakatava, who scored the opening try and collected a second later in the game. Ben Gunter was also a physical menace who helped score one and set up another
Canada’s captain, Lucas Rumball, was humble in defeat, saying after the game, “We started well in the first forty, but credit to Japan who overcame us in the final 20. We struggled to hold on to the ball and we pushed too many passages of play. It's an accuracy thing for us, but credit to Japan.”
Dearns was delighted to win in his first game as captain. “It was a tough game, and Canada showed up in that first half, and we were under pressure. The boys came out in that second half and put up a good fight. The second half was really good.”
The opening half saw Japan try to play the uptempo style Head Coach Eddie Jones demands, but it's a style they have always played in reality, relying on fantastic stamina and fitness and getting around their opposition. The Brave Blossoms had some success in getting the ball to the edges and testing Canada with their width.
Scrumhalf Fujiwara had a chance to stake his claim to the 9 jersey with Naoto Saito at pre-season with Toulouse, and he tried his best to keep the ball moving fluidly.
At times, it was Canada’s scramble defence that prevented a greater deficit in the opening half, but they did well to fight their way back into the contest. It also seemed at times that the hosts' backline moves were overcomplicated, and both teams spilt the ball into contact.
When Canada did have a period of sustained pressure, the Brave Blossoms had some awful discipline and eventually saw their numbers reduced to 14 when Raratubua was yellow-carded after warnings by the referee and a team huddle by Dearns. It's an area of the game they have to improve on.
Dearns' late try in the half was crucial to give them some breathing space after Sione Parry had notched one up for the visitors. At the break, Canada had missed 6 tackles, but Japan had given away 8 penalties compared to Canada’s 3.
The second half started as a kicking contest, and the Canadian fly-half, Peter Nelson, who must be one of the physically bigger tens in world rugby, was prominent with the boot and pinned Japan back with good touch finders as Japan continued to infringe.
Finally, in the 54th minute, an excellent 50-22 from Japan resulted in an attacking lineout and after several attacking phases, they moved the ball around well, and Fakatava scored out wide. The team showed great ball retention, recycling it quickly to keep it alive.
Jones wants repetition at pace and for the side to be clinical, and they did that in the final quarter. They were winning scrum penalties to pin Canada back as all four Japanese debut players got onto the field.
Sam Greene scored with a final pass from Gunter, and tries followed from Gunter himself, Tomoki Osada, and Kippei Ishida who scored twice in the final five minutes. Flyhalf Seungsin Lee was excellent with the boot.
Last year's outcome was 55-28, and it was Japan’s biggest over Canada, so this surpasses that. Japan has not lost in their previous ten matches against them..
Canada’s Head Coach Stephen Meehan said of the game and time in Japan, “We have enjoyed our time here in Japan. The people have been fantastic, but we could not perform at the same level tonight as last week. We tried to improve our work at the breakdown in the second half, but Japan put in a good physical defensive effort.”
It was a nice touch to see the Canadian players bowing to the fans after the game - they know they fell short, but they were nothing less than respectful and humble in their loss
Eddie Jones added of the match, “We were poor in the first half, but I was pleased with the boys in the second half. I was really impressed with Dearns as captain today.”
