[/floatr]While Japan's football team is delivering better-than-expected performances at the World Cup, their rugby team is competing in the Pacific Nations Cup. Japan started the tournament ranked 13th in the world and suffered a disappointing loss to Fiji who rank 10th. The team thought they had a genuine chance to beat the Fijians but were badly outmatched on the day. However, they have just defeated 12th ranked Samoa 23-31 in a match played in Samoa. The visitors pulled away to a big lead in the first half but were then pushed hard by the home team, which featured stars like 300lb prop Cencus Johnston (right). They were able to hold on, though, to record their first win against the islanders since 1999, It is a major scalp in the campaign to establish Japan as a credible competitor in the sport's second-tier. Samoa may be inconsistent in the long form of the game but they are the current Rugby Sevens champions and usually field experienced players. Japan face Tonga in their final game of the tournament. They are above them in the world rankings and have managed to win in previous meetings but Tonga only just lost to the Fijians by a score of 41-38 so it will be another test for the Cherry Blossoms.
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Japan Notches Cup Win
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Japan Notches Cup Win
by Mulboyne » Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:45 pm
[floatr][/floatr]While Japan's football team is delivering better-than-expected performances at the World Cup, their rugby team is competing in the Pacific Nations Cup. Japan started the tournament ranked 13th in the world and suffered a disappointing loss to Fiji who rank 10th. The team thought they had a genuine chance to beat the Fijians but were badly outmatched on the day. However, they have just defeated 12th ranked Samoa 23-31 in a match played in Samoa. The visitors pulled away to a big lead in the first half but were then pushed hard by the home team, which featured stars like 300lb prop Cencus Johnston (right). They were able to hold on, though, to record their first win against the islanders since 1999, It is a major scalp in the campaign to establish Japan as a credible competitor in the sport's second-tier. Samoa may be inconsistent in the long form of the game but they are the current Rugby Sevens champions and usually field experienced players. Japan face Tonga in their final game of the tournament. They are above them in the world rankings and have managed to win in previous meetings but Tonga only just lost to the Fijians by a score of 41-38 so it will be another test for the Cherry Blossoms.
[/floatr]While Japan's football team is delivering better-than-expected performances at the World Cup, their rugby team is competing in the Pacific Nations Cup. Japan started the tournament ranked 13th in the world and suffered a disappointing loss to Fiji who rank 10th. The team thought they had a genuine chance to beat the Fijians but were badly outmatched on the day. However, they have just defeated 12th ranked Samoa 23-31 in a match played in Samoa. The visitors pulled away to a big lead in the first half but were then pushed hard by the home team, which featured stars like 300lb prop Cencus Johnston (right). They were able to hold on, though, to record their first win against the islanders since 1999, It is a major scalp in the campaign to establish Japan as a credible competitor in the sport's second-tier. Samoa may be inconsistent in the long form of the game but they are the current Rugby Sevens champions and usually field experienced players. Japan face Tonga in their final game of the tournament. They are above them in the world rankings and have managed to win in previous meetings but Tonga only just lost to the Fijians by a score of 41-38 so it will be another test for the Cherry Blossoms.-
Mulboyne - Posts: 18605
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by Samurai_Jerk » Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:51 pm
Mulboyne wrote:it will be another test for the Cherry Blossoms.
Japan really needs to consult with the outside world before naming it's teams. They may as well call themselves the Shirley Temples or the Fudge Packers.
Faith is believing what you know ain't so. -- Mark Twain
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Samurai_Jerk - Maezumo
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by Tobacco Taro » Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:57 am
Samurai_Jerk wrote:Japan really needs to consult with the outside world before naming it's teams. They may as well call themselves the Shirley Temples or the Fudge Packers.
Yeah, they're also known as the "Brave Blossoms"
I just don't get how they can call themselves "Japan" when about a quarter of the squad are Aussies / Kiwis.
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Tobacco Taro - Maezumo
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by Mulboyne » Sun Jun 27, 2010 6:14 pm
Japan beat Tonga 23-26 in their final game while Samoa went on to beat Fiji. This left three teams in the competition with two wins and one loss but Samoa claimed the Pacific Nations title on points difference. Japan ended in third position but gained the satisfaction of having beaten the eventual cup winners during the tournament.
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