Labuschagne sees red as Fiji thump Japan
PACIFIC NATIONS CUP, ROUND THREE WRAP: Fiji beat Japan 35-12 in Tokyo on Saturday for their fifth straight win as they build momentum towards the World Cup.
Fiji, who have been drawn with Australia, Wales, Georgia and Portugal in World Cup Pool C, scored three first-half tries and added two more after the break.
Japan, who pulled back two late tries, faced an uphill struggle when loose forward Pieter Labuschagne was shown a red card in the sixth minute for a high tackle.
It was their second red card in three games, after former captain Michael Leitch was sent off in their defeat to Samoa two weeks ago.
It was also Japan’s last home game before heading to the World Cup, where they will face England, Argentina, Samoa and Chile in Pool D.
Fiji scored four tries in the first half-hour of their 33-19 win over Samoa the previous week, and they started quickly again against Japan.
PNC CHAMPS 🔥🇫🇯 #FIJIWaterFlyingFijians #FIJIWater #duavataveilomanirakavi pic.twitter.com/AnlqwVULZY
— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) August 5, 2023
Captain Waisea Nayacalevu stormed through the centre of the defence to score the opening try in the fourth minute.
Ben Volavola added the conversion before Japan’s night went from bad to worse two minutes later.
Labuschagne hit centre Vilimoni Botitu so high in the tackle that their heads collided, and the loose forward was shown the red after a video review.
Fiji made Japan pay with their second try in the 17th minute. Prop Eroni Mawi barged over at the line and Volavola slotted the conversion.
Scrumhalf Simione Kuruvoli bagged a third two minutes before half-time, darting over after a scrum near the Japanese line.
Fiji cut Japan’s defence to ribbons to score a fourth through Selesitino Ravutaumada less than 10 minutes into the second half.
Fiji had two more tries chalked off after video reviews before Japan finally got on the scoreboard when Jone Naikabula wriggled over the line in the 70th minute.
They got a second try through Semisi Masirewa with three minutes remaining, before Frank Lomani rounded off the scoring for Fiji.
Fiji will play away warm-up games against France and England before they begin their World Cup campaign against Wales on September 10 in Bordeaux.
Japan will take on Italy away before playing their World Cup opener against Chile on September 10.
Chills after this Fijian Cibi 🫣🌴#GoWithTheBrave | #JPNvFIJ
pic.twitter.com/6YMtyrmu8s— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) August 5, 2023
Samoa outmuscle Tonga
Meanwhile, Samoa scored three tries in the second half to bounce back from defeat to Pacific Nations Cup leaders Fiji with a 34-9 win over Tonga in Saturday’s early game
The hosts scored four unanswered tries in Apia and shut out Tonga in the second half.
Samoa’s flyhalf D’Angelo Leuila had a good day with the boot by landing his six kicks at goal.
It was a return to winning ways for Samoa, who beat Japan away a fortnight ago before their defeat to Fiji.
Samoa got the opening try midway through the first half in Apia when hooker Sama Malolo burrowed his way over from close range.
Tonga only trailed 9-13 at half-time, but Samoa pulled away on the scoreboard with three second-half tries.
The home side scored soon after the break when their pack mauled over the line and flanker Miracle Fai’ilagi touched down.
After quick hands among the Samoan backs, Toulon centre Duncan Paiaaua then crossed unopposed for a converted try.
They kept up the pressure as replacement scrum-half Melani Matavao went over for a try after a snipping run following a quick tap penalty.
The hosts finished with 14 men after replacement back Neria Fomai was sent to the sin bin in the final minutes for a dangerous tackle.
The scores and scorers:
Japan 12-35 Fiji
The scorers:
For Japan:
Tries: Masirewa, Naikabula
Con: Lee
For Fiji:
Tries: Mawi, Kuruvoli, Lomani 2, Nayacalevu
Cons: Tela, Volavola 4
Red card: Pieter Labuschagne (Japan, 6′ – foul play, high tackle)
Yellow card: Sireli Maqala (Fiji, 75′)
Teams:
Japan: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Semisi Masirewa, 13 Dylan Riley, 12 Tomoki Osada, 11 Jone Naikabula, 10 Rikiya Matsuda, 9 Naoto Saito, 8 Kazuki Himeno (captain), 7 Pieter Labuschagne, 6 Jack Cornelsen, 5 Amato Fakatava, 4 James Moore, 3 Asaeli Ai Valu, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Keita Inagaki.
Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Craig Millar, 18 Jiwon Gu, 19 Kanji Shimokawa, 20 Ben Gunter, 21 Yutaka Nagare, 22 Seungsin Lee, 23 Ryoto Nakamura.
Fiji: 15 Sireli Maqala, 14 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Vilimoni Botitu, 11 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Meli Derenalagi, 7 Kitione Kamikamica, 6 Lekima Tagitagivalu, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Albert Tuisue, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Sam Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20 Joseva Tamani, 21 Frank Lomani, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Ilaisa Droasese.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Takehito Namekawa (Japan)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
Samoa 34-9 Tonga
The scorers:
For Samoa:
Tries: Malolo, Fai’ilagi, Paia’aua, Matavao
Cons: D’angelo Leuila 4
Pens: D’angelo Leuila 2
For Tonga:
Pens: Havili, Mausia 2
Teams:
Samoa: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams 14 Nigel Ah Wong, 13 Ulupano Junior Seuteni, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Ed Fidow, 10 Alai D’Angelo Leuila, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 5 Brian Alainu’u’ese, 4 Chris Vui, 3 Michael Alaalatoa (captain), 2 Sama Malolo, 1 Charlie Faumuina.
Replacements: 16 Luteru Tolai, 17 Titi Lamositele, 18 Paul Alo-Emile, 19 Theodore McFarland, 20 Fritz Lee, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Christian Leali’ifano, 23 Neria Foma’i.
Tonga: 15 Salesi Piutau, 14 Solomone Kata, 13 George Moala, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 10 Willimas Havili, 9 Sonatane Takulua (captain), 8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Sitiveni Mafi, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.
Replacements: 16 Paula Ngauamo, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 David Lolohea, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Solomone Funaki, 21 Manu Paea, 22 Otumaka Mausia, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: Damon Murphy (Australia), Matthew Kellahan (Australia)
