Rugby Round-Up: Wins for Japan and Tonga - Ruck

Rugby Round-Up: Wins for Japan and Tonga

Japan picked up an impressive 28-0 victory over Georgia at Toyota Stadium in Sengokucho, bouncing back from last week’s defeat to Italy.

Penalties from Yu Tamura (2) and Ryuji Noguchi gave them a 9-0 half-time lead but after the break the Brave Blossoms moved through the gears, scoring tries through Wimpie van der Walt, Lomano Lemeki and Kazuki Himeno, with Tamura adding two conversions in a solid result.

Meanwhile, Tonga claimed bragging rights over recently crowned Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji in Lautoka on Saturday, winning 27-19.

Frank Lomani, Vereniki Goneva and Viliame Mata crossed for Fiji but five-pointers from Paula Ngauamo, Steve Mafi and Dan Faleafa bolstered by the boot of Sonatane Takulua saw the Tongans come out on top for a morale-boosting victory, with a yellow card for Goneva costing Fiji.

Fiji won the Pacific Nations Cup last week but did not face Tonga in the competition, which made this an unofficial final in many respects.