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Japan roll on in Asia

Tuesday 13th May 2008

The Japanese juggernaut continued its inexorable march to the inaugural Asian Five Nations Series championship with another impressive victory in week three in Kazakhstan.

Following on the 114-6 demolition of the Arabian Gulf two weeks ago in Osaka, Japan routed Kazakhstan 82-6 at the Almaty Central Station Stadium on Saturday.

The win brings Japan to a perfect 18 points from three matches including three bonus points from their wins to date over Korea, Arabian Gulf and Kazakhstan and sets up an interesting clash between Japan and second-ranked Hong Kong next Sunday at the majestic Big Swan Stadium in Niigata, Japan.

In Saturday's clash, Japan raced out to a 42-0 lead over Kazakhstan after tries from centre Ryan Nicholas, number eight Ryu Holani, full-back Bryce Robins, centre Yuta Imamura and lock Taira Sato and winger Hirotoki Onozawa.

Fly-half James Arlidge converted all six Japanese tries in the first half, further ensconcing himself as the top points scorer in the Asian Five Nations 2008 on 39 points from three matches.

Japan continued the pressure in the second half with Robins taking his second try of the game immediately from the restart.

Kazakhstan full-back Maxim Lifontov scored all of his team's points on the back of two successful second half penalties after the interval.

Japan equalled their tally of six first half tries with six more in the second half including one by the captain Takuro Miuchi who came on as a substitute in the match.

the tryfest sees Bryce Robins and Hirotoki Onizawa share top billing as the top try scorers in the Asian Five Nations on five apiece.

Over 1,000 people came out to support the Kazakhstan team in one of the few Test matches held in Kazakhstan.

Saturday's result comes on the back of the first-ever Asian Five Nations night match on Friday evening 9 May in Doha, Qatar when a valiant amateur Arabian Gulf side lost a tight encounter to Korea 43-20 after being within a try at 24-20 as late as the 73rd minute.

The Doha result saw Korea secure their first points on the Asian Five Nations table where they lie in 3rd place with 5 points for the win plus a bonus point for scoring four or more tries. In Week four Korea will play host to Kazakhstan in Incheon near Seoul, while second placed Hong Kong are away to table toppers Japan in Niigata.