Fiji blitz Japan in France

Editor

Fiji scored five tries to beat Japan 38-25 at Stade de la Rabine in France on Saturday.

Fiji finally got a win this series after taking heavy losses against the Barbarians and then England.

The Pacific Islanders were ruthless in their pursuit of a win after scoring five tries with inside centre Botia Veivuke scoring a brace.

Fiji scored the first try of the game after outside centre Albert Vulivuli dotted down in the 14th minute. Japan fly-half, Yu Tamura's penalty in the 19th minute was sandwiched with another Fiji try scored by Talebula Maijaina.

Veivuke's second try came just before the second half which made the score 19-6 to the Fijians. Veivuke's second try came just after the half, which made the score quite lopsided to the Fijians.

Japan finally got a try a of their own when full-back Kotaro Matsushima scored a five-pointer which was followed closely by another Japan try scored by Malgene Ilaua to make the score 35-13 after the conversion was made.

Nemani Nadolo had the final say with a penalty in the dying minutes of the clash.

The scorers:

For Fiji:
Tries:
Vulivuli, Maijaina, Veivuke 2, Nadolo
Cons: Nadolo 5
Pens: Nadolo     

For Japan:
Tries: Matsushima 2, Ilaua
Cons: Tamura 2
Pens: Tamura 2

Fiji: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Metuisela Talebula, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Levani Botia, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Niko Matawalu, 8 Akapusi Qera (c), 7 Peceli Yato, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Nemia Soqeta, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Peni Ravai
Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Leeroy Atalifo, 19 Api Ratuniyawara, 20 Naulia Dawai, 21 Eremasi Radrodro, 22 Seru Vularika, 23 Waisea Nayacalevu

Japan: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Harumichi Tatekawa, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 6 Malgene Ilaua, 5 Samuela Anise, 4 Kyosuke Kajikawa, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Satoshi Nakatani
Replacements: 16 Takeshi Hino, 17 Kanta Higashionna, 18 Heiichiro Ito, 19 Kotaro Yatabe, 20 Shuhei Matsuhashi, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Amanaki Lotoahea, 23 Karne Hesketh

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)