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Australia A crush Japan 71-10 to set up showdown

Australia A crushed Japan with 10 tries in a 71-10 victory to keep within striking distance of the Junior All Blacks in the Pacific Nations Rugby Cup in Townsville yesterday.

Scrum-half Josh Holmes scored three tries and center Ryan Cross two while goalkicking winger Clinton Schifcofske finished with 26 points with a try, nine conversions and a penalty goal.

Australia A's massive victory set up a tournament-deciding showdown with New Zealand's Junior All Blacks in Dunedin next weekend.

The victory kept Australia A one point behind the Junior All Blacks, who earlier yesterday posted their third straight bonus-point victory with a 39-13 away win over Tonga.

Trailing 10-7 early, Australia A piled on 64 unanswered points to swamp the Japanese.

Cross and Schifcofske dominated the early scoring, combining for Australia A's first 24 points to help the home side overcome a scratchy start.

While Cross scored the opening try of the match, Japan took the honors in the opening quarter with fly-half Kousei Ono kicking a penalty and converting a try from fullback Bryce Robins, who sprinted 45m after picking up a grubber from Australian center Junior Pelesasa.

The home team enjoyed huge advantages in territory and possession but frequently squandered the ball with a series of turnovers.

But Australia A found their rhythm and piled on 26 points in 10 minutes before half-time, with Cross, Schifcofske and Holmes (twice) all crossing Japan's try-line.

The onslaught continued in the second half and Australia A finished with a flourish as props Gareth Hardy and Salesi Ma'afu and fly-half Kurtley Beale each crossed for late tries.
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