Having begun in the most dramatic and encapsulating fashion, Japan’s Rugby World Cup campaign ended on Sunday with a 28-18 victory over the US that left them as the first team to win three pool stage games and go out.
Tries from Kotaro Matsushima, Yoshikazu Fujita and Amanaki Mafi helped earn a another well-deserved victory, but the occasion in Gloucester was the ultimate anti-climax, coming three weeks after they shocked the tournament by beating South Africa.
Despite falling to their fourth defeat, the US were no pushovers and ended their own campaign with a spirited performance, as tries from Takudzwa Ngwenya and Chris Wyles kept them in the contest throughout.
Photo: AP
Japan ended in third spot, two points adrift of Scotland and four behind group winners South Africa.
“It is disappointing, but we had a great World Cup,” Japan coach Eddie Jones said. “It has been fantastic. The guys have all played above themselves and worked hard, and with a real spirit and how rugby should be played.”
Following the advent of five-team groups in 2003, no team had won three of their four pool stage encounters and not progressed to the next round.
Yet Japan’s failure to pick up bonus points in any of their matches and their tired defeat to Scotland four days after their Springbok shock proved to be their undoing, and ensured there was nothing but pride to play for against the US.
That and another opportunity to show-off their well-honed technical skills, reminding everyone how far they have progressed, having won only one game in all their previous World Cup campaigns.
After A.J. MacGinty landed an early penalty for the US, Japan responded with their first foray into US territory, switching the ball from one flank to the other with swift hands to leave Matsushima free to cross in the corner.
The US hit back with Ngwenya touching down, after a raking pass from Wyles, for his first World Cup try in eight years.
However, Japan again took swift retribution as Yoshikazu Fujita sneaked through a heaving mass of bodies to score, and an Ayumu Goromaru penalty gave Japan a comfortable 17-8 lead at the break.
The sides exchanged penalties at the start of the second half, but a yellow card for US prop Eric Fry proved a debilitating blow as Japan extended their advantage within a minute, with Mafi driving over the line from close range for a third try.
The US did not lie down and MacGinty launched a superb long pass out to the right flank for fullback Chris Wyles to touch down.
MacGinty’s conversion briefly reduced the deficit to seven points before another Goromaru penalty rounded off the scoring.
The fans gave Japan a rousing send-off and they can now build for their 2019 tournament with the sport on a high in their own nation.
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