Japan beat Romania in World Cup rehearsal
The Brave Blossoms, who will host rugby's showcase tournament in 2019, overcame a sluggish start in Kumamoto before tries from Akihito Yamada, Kenki Fukuoka and Michael Leitch provided the spark.
Flyhalf Jumpei Ogura booted 18 points in seven-for-seven kicking for Japan, who have two games against Ireland in the next two weeks.
After giving up two early penalties to Florin Vlaicu, Yamada produced the game's highlight play, latching onto a clever nudge-through from Tim Lafaele to race clear.
Fukuoka lunged over for Japan's second try before Ogura converted to give the hosts a 23-9 lead at the break.
Leitch, who captained Japan to three wins at the 2015 World Cup, smashed through to score on his return at the start of the second half, leaving the Romanians with a mountain to climb.
Mihai Macovei and Tongan-born Fonovai Tangimana reduced the deficit with bulldozing tries, but a comeback never looked on the cards in sapping conditions in southern Japan.
"It was nice to get a result," said Japan captain Shota Horie.
"Romania are a very physical team and they came at us but we were able to adjust and stay on the front foot.
"We still need to improve our scrum and line-outs, as well as the physical side, and that's what we will continue to do before 2019," he added.
Asian champions Japan tackle Ireland, Scotland and the third European team to qualify for Pool A – likely to be Romania – when they host the World Cup, the first to be held in Asia.
"Japan obviously played very nice rugby," said Romania wing Jack Cobden.
"They like to throw the ball around and we tried as hard as we could to stop it. We've got a lot to work on in the future."
Japan shed their erstwhile tag as World Cup whipping boys in 2015, where they recorded a hat-trick of wins under current England boss Eddie Jones, including a stunning 34-32 win over two-time champions South Africa.
The scorers:
For Japan:
Tries: Yamada, Fukuoka, Leitch
Cons: Ogura 3
Pens: Ogura 4
For Romania:
Tries: Macovei 2
Con: Vlaicu
Pens: Vlaicu 3
Teams:
Japan: 15 Ryuji Noguchi, 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Jumpei Ogura, 9 Fumiaka Tanaka, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Uwe Helu, 4 Kotaro Yatabe, 3 Takuma Ashara, 2 Shota Horie (captain), 1 Koki Yamamoto.
Replacements: 16 Yusuke Niwai, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Heiichiro Ito, 19 Yuya Odo, 20 Hendrik Tui, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Yu Tamura, 23 Kotaro Matsushima.
Romania: 15 Sabin Stratila, 14 Fonovai Tangimana, 13 Paula Kinikinilau, 12 Sione Fakaosilea, 11 Jack Cobden, 10 Florin Vlaicu, 9 Florin Surugiu, 8 Mihai Macovei (captain), 7 Viorel Lucaci, 6 Andrei Gorcioaia, 5 Marius Antonescu, 4 Johannes Van Heerden, 3 Andrei Ursache, 2 Otar Turashvili, 1 Ionel Badiu.
Replacements: 16 Andrei Radoi, 17 Constantin Pristavita, 18 Alexandru Tarus, 19 Valentin Poparlan, 20 Vlad Nistor, 21 Tudorel Bratu, 22 Luke Samoa, 23 Ionut Dumitru.
Referee: Alex Ruiz (France)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)
Agence France-Presse
