ZCZC
BSP-16
RUGBYU-JPN-ITA
Japan get flash to bash Italy for shock rugby win
OITA, Japan, June 9, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Japan conjured a hat-trick of
magical scores to floor Six Nations side Italy 34-17 on Saturday in the first
game of their two-match rugby series.
The Brave Blossoms, who finished with four tries to Italy’s two, produced
moments of breathtaking skill as Amanaki Mafi, Kenki Fukuoka and Lomano
Lemeki scored for the home side in Oita, western Japan.
Japan fly-half Yu Tamura made six out of seven kicks in a confident
performance for the 2019 World Cup hosts.
Prop Tizano Pasquali opened the scoring for Italy with an opportunistic try
after 15 minutes.
But a slick exchange of passes between Kenki Fukuoka and Japan captain
Michael Leitch allowed Amanaki Mafi to restore parity.
Fukuoka added another try for the Brave Blossoms after 28 minutes when the
jet-heeled winger escaped the clutches of two beefy Italians to score.
Fly-half Tamura slotted a penalty before Italy flanker Braam Steyn
bulldozed over for a try converted by Tommaso Allan to reduce Japan’s half-
time lead to 17-14.
Allan and Tamura traded penalties early in the second half to tie the game
before Japan blew it wide open with one for the highlights reel.
Tamura kicked wide for Shota Horie to touch the ball back in for Lemeki to
storm over.
Kotaro Matsushima added a fourth try for Japan after 65 minutes to dash
Italian hopes of a comeback.
The teams meet again in Kobe next weekend.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1410 hrs