Player Ratings: Japan

OPINION: Japan was defeated 12-52 by a dominant France side at the Stade de France in Paris.

France have sent a strong message ahead of their important Nations Series encounter against the All Blacks next weekend in Paris.

The “Brave Blossoms” battled constantly throughout the 80-minute Test match, but never really threatened to make a game of this one in front of a packed Paris crowd.

Henry Lee rates the Japanese players!

1 Takato Okabe – 4

Penalised for being off his feet in the 27th minute and one other scrum penalty, but got through a mountain of work and popped up in some key moments on defence.

2 Mamoru Harada – 6

Solid lineout work, culminating in a near-perfect throwing performance, found himself on the wing during a first-half break, smartly staying in the field to keep momentum. Part of a solid first-half Japan scrum.

3 Shuhei Takeuchi – 7

Superb eyes-up play: taking a quick tap from a penalty, he made the 20-meter line break on his own through the French defence. He was penalised shortly after halftime but made an equal team-high ten tackles.

4 Epineri Uluiviti – 5

Huge body with ball-carrying prowess managed to take 13 carries, making a considerable impact with the ball in hand, but could not break the tough France defence.

5 Warner Dearns – 6

Fantastic charge down on Dupont in the first minute, showcasing his length and technical ability around the ruck. Great use of footwork during the game with the ball in hand, tackled efficiently and effectively, making an equal team-high ten successful tackles.

6 Kanji Shimokawa – 5

Brilliant saving tackle on Gregory Aldritt to stop a certain France try but was mostly seen taking the tough runs out of their own end, with 11 carries. The full 80-minute performance was slightly underwhelming, struggling to make an effective impact.

7 Kazuki Himeno – 7

One of Japan’s best, an absolute workhorse on both sides of the ball, attempting multiple breakdown steals. Although he only had one turnover win, his disruptive jackling at the breakdown was an asset to Eddie Jones’s side.

8 Faula Makisi – 4

Relatively underwhelming and quiet performance for the 27-year-old, who made nine tackles in 48 minutes.

9 Naoto Saito – 3

Poor showing, a couple of errors early but luckily under a penalty advantage. Multiple aimless kicks in the first half gifting the ball back to France. A nice goal kick from the left corner after Japan’s first try, but overall was a frustrating halfback performance. Off at 50.

10 Harumichi Tatekawa (captain) – 5

Scored the first Japan try in a largely quiet performance from the Japan captain, was innovative in trying to break the line on multiple occasions, but the lack of options meant a slow night for the 34-year-old first five. Off with an injury at 50.

11 Tomoki Osada – 5

Solid defence on France’s prop stopping the line break in the first half, but was only effective defensively, with very few opportunities arising for the left wing.

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12 Siosaia Fifita – 5

Pinged for an offside in the 14th minute rushing up to disrupt a Dupont missed pass, but was a constant threat on attack, carrying the ball a mammoth 18 times.

13 Dylan Riley – 6

Riley was unlucky to not score a try of the game late in the first half, was Japan’s busiest attacker, and it’s clear to see the South African-born midfielder’s talents on both sides of the ball. Constant threat, bringing his teammates into play with some offloads and key passes on attack. Bright future ahead for Eddie Jones’s star man.

14 Jone Nakiabula 6

Involved heavily in Japan’s first try in the game, but struggled to break Japan’s defence, was crucial to Japan’s attacking play and put his hand up to carry throughout the 80-minute performance. Nakiabula will definitely improve in weeks to come as the continuity of Japan’s attack is destined to improve.

15 Malo Tuitama – 4

An unfortunate fumble led to Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s try in the third minute. Tuitama dropped the ball once again on their own line travelling back to stop a France kick leading to another try. Kicked the ball out in open play in the 11th minute. A game to forget for the fullback.

Replacements:

16 Kenta Masuoka – 5

Imposed himself immediately, attempting to bring some powerful running into the “Brave Blossoms” game.

17 Yukio Morikawa – 5

Largely unproductive 29-minute cameo, apart from being part of a capitulating second-half scrum performance.

18 Keijiro Tamefusa – NA

19 Amato Fakatava – 5

Tried to bring some meaningful impact when the game was already gone. In-play kick late in the game was unnecessary.

20 Tevita Tatafu – 7

Was one of the bright sparks in Japan’s second-half flurry, went on to intercept a French counterattack and go himself to score a well-deserved solo try. His well-executed lineout mall try was held up over the line but got his reward shortly after. Cameo off the bench was only short, coming off injured with 17 minutes to go.

21 Shinobu Fujiwara – 6

Looked lively in the last 30 minutes of the game, attempted to speed the game up for Japan, and positively sped up the ruck speed for Japan’s backs.

22 Yusuke Kajimura – N/A

23 Takuro Matsunaga – 3

One from one on the kicking tee converting Tevita Tatafu’s intercept try, small error on kickoff, his kick not going 10 meters.