Tonga proved too strong for an error-strewn Japan and recorded their first victory of Rugby World Cup 2011 with a solid 31-18 win on Wednesday night in Whangerai.
With the teams scoring three tries apiece the difference was Tonga's superior physicality in the tackle and at the breakdown. The Brave Blossoms were the architects of their own downfall as they coughed up possession time and again by failing to commit at the ruck as numerous turnovers were conceded, and if the ball was retained handling errors in the back-line scuppered a host of opportunities to attack their opponents line.
Another key facet of the game was goal kicking. Former Dragons fly-half James Arlidge failed with all three of his conversion attempts and although full-back Shaun Webb did slot an easy penalty it was stark contrast to Kurt Morath's success ratio, with Tonga's outside half converting six of his seven place kicks.
The game got off to the worst possible start for Japan, as, from the kick off, had looked to run the ball back at Tonga from deep only to concede their first knock-on of the evening.
It was backs-to-the-wall stuff for the Cherry Blossoms for the next 7 minutes as Tonga looked to use the near-50kg weight advantage to good use in the scrum. Although an initial burst over the line from Viliami Ma'afu was ruled out after TMO consultation the Number 8 was not to be denied moments later from a similar move; the experience back-row, who plies his trade in Japan, showed strength and determination that was too much for the opposition to counter and he drove over for his second International try. Morath missed poorly for the extras but an early score on the board was precisely was Tonga needed after the manner of their defeat to Canada a week previously.
The Japanese's handling skills were letting them down as they looked to open their own account, with a number of dropped balls in midfield and out wide costing them field position and territory in the first 10 minutes.
But they were on level terms on the quarter-hour mark; after a good break in midfield by winger Kosuke Endo, Tonga were penalised for being offside. Japan refused the posts, instead opting for touch and from the resulting line-out the forwards got a shove on of their own, showing good forward momentum to push up to and over the Tongan try line. Referee Dave Pearson again went to the fourth official who confirmed tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakayama's touchdown. Arlidge pulled the conversion left, but Japan were buoyed by the try and the scores were now tied 5-5.
Parity was not held for very long however, as from the kick-off the ball was mis-controlled in a Japanese ruck falling straight into Tongan hands and some slick (but questionably forward) passing found Tukulua Lokotui in the wide channels and the second row charged down the line unopposed to dive over the whitewash. A good touchline conversion from Morath that grazed the inside of the far post provided the added 2 points and Tonga were back in front almost as soon as they had conceded; 12-5.
The following 10 minutes was a competitive affair with both sides showing endeavour and a willingness to run with ball in hand, and although the quality displayed by the top teams may have been absent, the screaming thousands inside Northland Events Centre were enjoying every minute of the lively encounter.
This was epitomised by a Japanese attack after 20 minutes, with a line-break creating a good platform for the backs to use. With a try on the left looking a certainty Arlidge slung the ball wide, but another fumble in midfield presented the ball to Tonga centre Siale Piutau who shrugged off the attentions of 3 tacklers before heading downfield to the tryline. The Highlander scampered 70 metres with the Tongan masses in the crowd urging him on, but he finally ran out of steam and options and the situation was recovered by the back-tracking Endo.
Japan were on target moments later, when a strong burst through the middle by Ryan Nicholas set up good position in Tonga's 22, and the ball was spun out wide right quickly for New Zealand-born openside flanker Michael Leitch to bundle over in the corner. Arlidge was again unsuccessful with the extras; 12-10 Tonga after 27 minutes.
With the Islanders' next foray into Japanese territory came their next points. The Brave Blossoms were pinged for being off their feet at ruck-time and Morath was on hand to slot the penalty.
The fly-half was called upon again within minutes to add another 3 points to 'Ikale Tahi's score as Arlidge trudged from the field for 10 minutes - referee Pearson finally losing his patience after a string of Japanese offences and sin-binning the pivot for cynical offside play.
Japan had their own opportunity to narrow the gap on the scoreboard just before half-time as Tonga were deemed to have entered a ruck illegally, and with regular kicker Arlidge still cooling down on the sidelines full-back Shaun Webb slotted the simple shot at goal; 18-13 to Tonga at the interval.
It was much the same as the second period kicked off, with Morath converting his third penalty of the evening after 49 minutes.
The outside half was directing much of the play and was always looking to spark an attack for his team, and so the luck involved in Tonga's third try could be seen as well-earned for all Morath's imagination and hard work.
A clear element of fortune in the middle of the park allowed the Souths' play-maker to regather possession from a charge down and ship the pill wide - going through the hands to explosive winger Fetu'u Vainikolo and the new Connacht recruit stepped and evaded despairing defenders to reach over and place the ball on the line. Again Morath was accurate and Tonga were building a seemingly-unassailable lead.
But as they learned against Canada the game is never over until the final whistle and alarm bells began ringing with little under 20 minutes to go, as Japan scored their third try of the night with Samoan-born centre Alisi Tupuailai cutting back on a good angle off Arlidge to power past flailing Tongan arms and dot down. Although Arlidge was again off-target with the eminently kickable conversion Japan were back within 10 points and looking to capitalise on an uncertain Tongan defensive line.
Unfortunately for the Cherry Blossoms the brave fightback never really materialised and when Morath bisected the posts for the sixth time in the match to extend his side's lead to 31-18 the game was up.
Although Japan never stopped trying, basic skills and support play let them down on too many occasions, and a commendable late turnover from Piutau summed up the evening's events - plenty of spirit shown by the Japanese, but superior strength and organisation, plus an outstanding forward effort won the day for Tonga.
As Japan conceded another penalty for playing the ball on the floor Morath kicked the ball out of play for the final time to the relief of the Tongan players and management.
Despair for Japan who had looked so impressive against France, and they now approach the Canada game with a win-at-all-costs mentality.
As for Tonga they will be encouraged with a W after two deflating defeats and hope to end their campaign on a positive note with the team now occupying the important final automatic qualifying spot in the pool for the 2015 World Cup.
Star Man: Kurt Morath (Tonga) - His accurate boot was a deciding factor that kept the score ticking over in a close encounter. His control of the game gave his team the foundations to work off and meant Japan were always fighting to get back into the game.
5-metre Flop: James Arlidge (Japan) - In contrast Japan's fly-half had something close to a nightmare. Never really got his back-line going, got sin-binned during a crucial phase of the first half and finished with goal kicking stats of 0%. Definitely one to forget.
