Rugby: Japan loses to New Zealand

The brave blossoms of Japon did not show courage because they did not have a hauteur after the last sifflet coup, the same, and they did not meet the challenge of 38-31 in this test of rugby against All Blacks New Zealand.

With a four-point lead, Japan had to cover the entire field after the final whistle at the National Stadium in Tokyo. The team’s fierce defense, however, was reduced to 14, and a late penalty dashed any hope of victory.

The defeat is Japan’s seventh in seven matches against New Zealand.

“We really wanted this (to win),” said Michael Leitch, Japan’s former World Cup captain. “We made a lot of subtle mistakes. And if you do it at that level, it will slow you down.”

However, we are clearly heading in the right direction. »

On several occasions, Japan managed to frustrate the All Blacks, who lacked a few key players, before giving the guests several second chances.

For the first ten minutes, the All Blacks got bogged down in the disorganized Japan game and proved they could handle the pace.

Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima (C) is seen playing during the second half of a rugby union test match against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Tokyo on October 29, 2022. (Essonne Info)

Samisoni Taukiyeho kicked in an inside pass and headed down Brody Retalik, who crossed in the 11th minute.

Japan’s pressure led to a penalty by Takuya Yamasawa in the 19th minute. A break ensued as the All Blacks were stopped again and again, before they were the beneficiaries of Japanese indiscipline.

Brayden Ennor, who had blocked a pass kick in the 22nd minute when Kotaro Matsushima prevented him from going to ground in the try area, scored four minutes later, Richie Muunga scored his second conversion.

New Zealand’s third try was scored by Sipho Reis who smashed the Brave Blossoms defense after receiving the ball after a long line that completely fooled the hosts.

Takuya Yamasawa scores a try for Japan during the first half of a test rugby match against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Tokyo on October 29, 2022. (Essonne Info)

Trailing 21–3, Japan made a spin in their own half, and after the New Zealand defender failed to recover a glancing kick, Yamasawa sent the ball forward, won the ball, crossed in the 37th minute and added the extras.

Dylan Riley scored Japan’s second try moments later, catching an errant pass that headed into the sidelines, before slashing past defenders and passing the ball to Yutaka Nagare, who scored. Yamasawa converted to cut the lead in the first half to four.

Yutaka Nagari scores a try for Japan during the first half of a test rugby match against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Tokyo on October 29, 2022. (Essonne Info)

New Zealander Caleb Clark opened the second half by breaking up a pair of tackles to take it two minutes into the second half.

Instead of faltering, Brave Blossoms lifted its energy thanks to Kazuki Himeno, Warner Deans, and Gerhard Van Den Heever.

Japan held off two continuous attacks on the try line, and Himeno stopped the second goal by stealing the ball in a tackle. Moments later, Warner Deans crossed the try line in the 56th minute after recovering the ball from a kick he had been denied. Lee Seung Sin’s conversion made it 28-24.

Warner Dens (4) receives a hug from fellow Japanese Yutaka Nagari after scoring a try in the second half of a rugby test match against New Zealand at the National Stadium in Tokyo on October 29, 2022. (Essonne Information)

The All Blacks quickly responded with a series of powerful spurts down the try line that saw No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu find space and cross after sliding away from the tackle.

Retalik was sent off in the 66th minute for diving into the hole and hitting Himeno in the head with his shoulder. Japan were going for a long walk, but the All Blacks defended well and contained two dangerous runs from Matsushima along the sideline.

However, Van den Heever kept Japan’s momentum going with dynamic plays on the left. He was behind the fourth Japanese try by forcing a conversion by interfering with his return kick.

Himeno excelled again. A fine run saw him bring the ball to the try line, where he came straight out of the scrum and scored in the 79th minute.

Lorsque la tentative of Japon de Gagner with a dernier Essai échouait, Mo’unga ajoutait à ses cinq transformations un but de penalité pour terminer le match, le premier des trois tests d’automne du Japon who se termineront in Europe contre l’Angleterre et France.

It hurts. It’s a match we could have won,” Himeno said. “We have two tests left and I think this result can lead to something good.”