After the highs of Saturday’s win over South Africa Japan were brought down to earth with a bang as Scotland defeated the Cherry Blossoms 45-10 at Kingsholm Stadium Gloucester.
Errors cost Japan against Ruthless Scotland
Scotland started the brighter of the two sides and established an early 6-0 lead, learning from the mistakes of the Springboks and taking the points on offer from two early penalties. Japan however showed the same resilience that they showed in Brighton on Saturday, and after Ayumu Goromaru put a penalty into the corner, Japan’s forwards pushed over with number eight Amanaki Lelei Mafi scoring the try. Goromaru added the extras to give Japan the lead.
Japan conceded another penalty as the Scottish pressured them at the breakdown, and Greg Laidlaw duly put Scotland back in front, before adding another to make it 12-7. Japan were then reduced to 14 men as winger Kotaro Matsushima was sent to the sin bin, however Laidlaw missed the kick for Scotland. During the 10 minute sin bin period Japan put Scotland under pressure spending a significant amount of time in the Scottish 22. This did not however translate into points as after one penalty into the corner resulted in a second from the lineout, Goromaru missed the resultant kick.
Scotland finished the half the stronger of the two sides and only a last gasp tackle prevented a score in the corner as Scotland went into the half 12-7 up.
Japan were out of the blocks quickly in the second half and soon cut the deficit to 12-10 with a Goromaru penalty. Scotland then took their turn to attack and were rewarded for some excellent handling which saw John Hardie score to give Scotland a 17-10 lead. Scotland continued to press and pulled further ahead as Mark Bennett and Laidlaw converted. Japan continued to push forward and were trying to force an opening when Tommy Seymour intercepted to score a breakaway try and further extend Scotland’s lead.
Scotland, by this point were on the hunt for a bonus point win and Bennett secured that as he crashed through the Japanese line for his second try of the game to make sure of the five points. Scotland were not finished as Finn Russell escaped his man to score under the posts. As time wound down Japan pushed for a consolation try but were unable to get past the disciplined Scottish defence and the final score remained 45-10.
This was a reality check for the Japanese after Saturday’s heroics. They were not 35 points worse than Scotland but they made too many errors and gave away too many penalties. The four day turnaround for the Japanese did not help and the team looked tired in the last 20 minutes as Scotland ran in their tries. With over a week now until they face Samoa, Eddie Jones will have to rally his troops and get Japan’s campaign back on track. Japan faced a very disciplined and ruthless Scotland side who will now be looking towards their game against South Africa as they look to take control of Pool B
For Japan, the fairytale is not over, however they must be more clinical if they are to make the quarter finals for the first time in their history.
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