Fiji struggle past defiant Japan
John Kirwan's Japan side could not overcome Fiji
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Wednesday, 12, Sep 2007 09:21
Fiji struggled to overcome a defiant Japan side in their first game of the Rugby World Cup but eventually won 35-31 in Toulouse.
Akapusi Qera scored twice for Fiji and although Luke Thompson responded with two tries for Japan the South Pacific islanders were too strong in the end.
Fly-half Nicky Little put Fiji ahead after four minutes with a penalty but Japan hauled them back and were in front themselves after 30 minutes thanks to two penalties from Shotaro Onishi.
John Kirwan's side were forcing the Fijians into handling errors which helped give them territorial advantage. However that counted for little when Qera ran 75 metres for Fiji's opening try.
The Gloucester-bound flanker picked up a loose ball and went the length of the field to give his side a 10-6 lead.
But Japan closed the gap just before the break with another Onishi penalty after Vilimoni Delasau was sin-binned for a high tackle.
Onishi struck another three points at the start of the second period but Fiji bounced back with Qera's second try of the match.
A Little penalty extended their advantage before Thompson got the first of his two scores to haul Japan back into contention.
Seru Rabeni stretched Fiji's advantage once more but Japan kept themselves in the game when Tomokazu Soma bundled over with 62 minutes played.
Kele Leawere put Fiji six points ahead, however Japan fought back again with Thompson's second try of the game with two minutes remaining.
But it was too late for the Japanese who were denied the chance to snatch a winning score by the final whistle.