Get Newsletter

Japan's Tupou hit with three-game ban

The 26-year-old, once a budding Wallabies prospect, won his first cap for Japan on Saturday but was cited for a spear tackle 16 minutes into the second half in Shizuoka. Ireland went on to win 50-22.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tupou will miss this weekend's second Test against Ireland in Tokyo as well as Super Rugby games with Japan's Sunwolves away to South Africa's Lions on July 2 and Stormers on July 9.

Japan, who face Ireland in the pool phase as co-hosts of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, have never beaten the world's third-ranked side in six meetings.

The Brave Blossoms shed their tag as perennial pushovers at the 2015 World Cup, winning three games under Eddie Jones, including an astonishing upset of two-time winners South Africa.

But they have failed to kick on significantly since then with Jones's successor Jamie Joseph under pressure to manage expectations ahead of 2019.

Agence France-Presse

Join free

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Write A Comment