Rugby: Japan slump to second straight defeat against Australia A

Japan lost 22-21 to Australia A on Saturday in a three-match non-Test series 11 months before the World Cup in France.

Playing as a Japan XV, the hosts regained the lead with a 62nd-minute try from former captain Michael Leech, but Richie Asiata scored to make it 21-20 before Dane Edmet made the crucial conversion at the Best Denki Stadium in Fukuoka.

“It was a very tough game of rugby today,” said Japan head coach Jamie Joseph. “(Australia A) is used to this level of intensity… we have to adapt quickly. »

Winger Kotaro Matsushima, who came off the bench to score in the 34-22 defeat a week ago, had the Japan visitors back and forth before bursting down the right in the first minute.

But despite another substitute, Kazuki Himeno, and another star of the 2019 World Cup, Ryoto Nakamura, exiting in the first match in Tokyo, the home side never managed to impose their dominance.

With the visitors leading 10-8 at the break, some sloppy defending in midfield allowed full-back Jack Campbell to sprint into the left corner on 31 minutes.

Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima (L) escapes to score a try during the second match of the three-match non-Test series against Australia A at Best Denki Stadium in Fukuoka, southwest Japan on October 8, 2022. (ESSON INFORMATION)

Australia A extended their lead to 15-8 in the 44th minute. In the second half full back Tom Banks ran down the left and scored in a quick combination with Dylan Peach.

With Japan failing to create many chances, Leitch, back at number 8, came to the rescue by finding a breach and scoring a try near the midway point to take a 16-15 lead with a line inside the Australian 22.

But Japan succumbed to late-game pressure, with Asiata knocking the ball over from a maul after a lineout in the Japanese 22 on the left, and Edmet kicked the extra goals to rob the tourists of their second win.

Michael Leitch of Japan goes forward during the second match of the three-match Test series against Australia A at Best Tengi Stadium in Fukuoka, southwest Japan on October 8, 2022. (ESSON INFORMATION)

“It was a very frustrating match after missing out on the win in the end,” said Japan captain Atsushi Satake.

“We made a lot of changes from the last game, kept possession and kicked the attack at the right time, but we made mistakes or took penalties. »

The visitors’ captain Ryan Lonergan said: “Japan probably had the advantage for most of the game”, while their head coach Jason Gilmour was happy his “boys showed a lot of composure”.