Japan crush South Korea 54-0 to reach World Cup

HONG KONG, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Japan crushed fierce rivals South Korea 54-0 on Saturday to qualify for their sixth straight rugby World Cup.

Japans' Go Aruga runs with the ball against an unidentified South Korean during their Rugby World Cup Asian qualifier 2007 match in Hong Kong, 25 November 2006. Japan beat Korea 54-0. AFP PHOTO/MIKE CLARKE

An easy victory in Hong Kong gave Japan a place in next year's tournament in France, where they will take on Australia, Fiji, Wales and Canada in Pool B.

“It's a relief,” Japan's caretaker coach Osamu Ota told reporters. “Keeping them to zero points was nice. We really put South Korea on their heels.”

Japan's qualification was seen as crucial for the country's bid to host the 2015 World Cup after losing out to New Zealand in the race to stage the 2011 tournament.

Japan, to be coached by New Zealand great John Kirwan from January, had already thrashed Hong Kong 52-3 in the opening game of the final round of Asian qualifiers last weekend.

South Korea's slim hopes of joining Japan at the World Cup now rest on a two-legged playoff with Tonga in the next round.

The Koreans, who beat Hong Kong 23-5 earlier this week, suffered heavy defeats of 119-0 and 75-0 by Tonga at the same stage four years ago.

The Asian qualifiers were switched to Hong Kong from Sri Lanka because of security concerns prompted by renewed fighting between Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels.

Next year's World Cup runs from Sept. 7 until Oct. 20 predominately in France with some matches also being played in Wales and Scotland.