Brave “Cherry Blossoms” from Japan lived up to their expected high standard of running rugby when they scored a runaway 90 Points (10 Goals, 4 Tries) to 13 points (1 Goal, 1 Penalty, 1 Drop Goal) win over Sri Lanka in the HSBC Asian Five Nations Tournament game at Longdon Place yesterday.
At the short breather Japan led 31-7.
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| Japan’s centre Alisi Tupuailai plants a try under the posts with Lankan forward Sajith Saranga close behind. (Pic Ranjith Perera) |
It was a much improved performance by the Sri Lankans who defended and attacked well in the initial half. Both the three-quarters and forwards lived up to their expectations playing well as a unit after a dismal performance against Hong Kong two weeks ago. Sri Lanka put on a flawless display in the first 20 minutes of the initial half and even led for nearly 18 minutes.
The home team was the gallant losers in the steamy Colombo conditions in front of an appreciative crowd. The home team’s never-say-die performance was seen in the first half after a the early exit of skipper Sean Wijesinghe due to an injured knee. His replacement Ishan Noor was outstanding. He tackled as well as attacked to keep away the Japanese from scoring at will in the first half. Roshan Weeraratne and Nuwan Hettiarachchi too lived up to high standards in never cracking under intense pressure.
After the turn around the heat was too much for Sri Lanka as the Asian Champions Japan ran riot scoring tries at will. In fact they scored nine unanswered tries. With this win Japan World Cup 2011 bound team won the HSBC Asian Championship for the third year running, while Sri Lanka were relegated to division I.
Japan drew first blood in the 7th minute of the game when Winger Takehisa Usuzuki dashed through the Lankan defense to touch down. The kick at Goal was missed by fly half Shaun Webb. Three minutes later it was a joyful moment for the Sri Lankan spectators as Winger Chula Susantha intercepted a Japanese attacking move to score a spectacular try. Saliya Kumara added the extra points to take a 7-5 shocking lead. Sri Lanka held on to this slim lead for nearly 20 minutes of the game. After 13 minutes Japan flanker Toetuu Taufa, who had other ideas, brushed aside a few defenders to touch down a superb try. Shaun Webb added the extra points. In the next 10 minutes Japan cut loose to score three tries through Alsi Tupuailai (Centre), Fumiaki Tanaka (Scrum Half) and Takeshi Kitukani (Flanker). Two of them were converted by Shaun Webb to take a 31-7 lead. Nuwan Hettiarachchi missed a 50 meter penalty attempt at goal on stroke of half time.
In the second half it was one way traffic where the Japanese “Cherry Blossoms” ran down 9 unanswered tries. Sri Lanka replied with a neat drop Goal by scrum half Roshan Weeraratne and a Nuwan Hettiarachchi Penalty.
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