That is that. Australia’s spring Tour continues in the British Isles. Hopefully they’ll make themselves useful and make it a Spring Cleaning Tour. The Wallabies will be mopping and vacuuming in Wales on the 12th of this month, England on the 19th, and Scotland on the 26th.
“Great live blog, Geoff!” says Dave Earley who is ironically a little late. And generous. “How was this not being shown on free to air TV? I mean, it’s not the All Blacks, but not putting Wallabies on TV? Challenge their license. Bad for country!”
Putting aside the Trump-tweet phrasing of that final thought, I’ll agree that the national team should probably be on free-to-air TV. But I guess today was Derby day, and the usual rugby channel was busy with the gallopers, and people were more interested in Ace High than a Toyota Hiace.
Farewell.
Updated
Oh God my own blog is coming back to me via screenshots, this is Inception, what level are we descending to now... ??
#JAPvAUS https://t.co/JtGiCF50pC pic.twitter.com/NFzBm7LoqP
— Marc (@albinlilas) November 4, 2017
Enchanté.
le japon a quand meme passé 30 points aux australiens! #JAPvAUS
— Marie-Laure (@MarieLaurePV) November 4, 2017
A big Wallaby win - but what of it?
Hard to know what to make of that. Japan would be happy with the offensive part of their game. 30 points against a major team is no joke, and conservatively there were two tries and a penalty they should have had, so they could have tallied up to 47 had they taken their chances. Their defensive game, on the flipside, was too easily taken apart.
Australia had a fun day on the park, given that they never had to wait too long to break through for another score. For an underdog to win, it has to put pressure on the fancied team by holding it back. That’s when frustration builds, and mistakes follow. None of that today.
Nine tries to three in the end, with Kuridrani notching a hat-trick for the Wallabies. Kerevi got a double. But Japan got the last two tries of the game to run out with some enthusiasm. Does it answer many questions for the Wallabies? Was that question rhetorical?
Speight, Phipps, Simmons, and TPN got singles for Australia, van der Walt, Mafi and Himeno for Japan. Hodge knocked over nine conversions, while Japan kicked all three. Hodge didn’t get a penalty shot at goal all night, with Australia preferring to kick for position and attempt to run the ball in, while Matsuda kicked three out of four penalties for the home side.
Full time: Japan 30-63 Australia
Reward for Himeno, who has been a fine competitor today. Tamura adds the conversion, and that makes the highest points total Japan has ever scored against Australia.
Updated
80 mins: Nagana plays it, a couple of tackles come down close to the line, and it’s Himeno who gets over with full time on the clock!
79 mins: Brilliant run from Matsushima down the right, but he eventually runs out of space. Doesn’t panic, cuts back inside, gets the pass off, but the kick forward is turned over. Japan get it back, and it’s Teaupa who’s almost through but again his handling lets him down. Knocks it on. The Wallabies turn it over once again, things are ragged at the end here. Japan surging through Himeno. Another couple of tackles. Possession retained. And in the end the Wallabies cough up a penalty right in front of the goalposts for playing the ball while on the ground, I suspect, and Japan call for a scrum.
77 mins: Scrum. Powell feeds it in, and the Wallabies win a penalty as the scrum is turned. Hodge takes the kick for territory.
75 mins: Resurgent stuff from Japan as they just keep pushing on, but this time Teaupa gets the pass away and Leitch fluffs the simple receive. Knocks it on, and another attack is snuffed out.
73 mins: Inagaki is injured with an ankle twist. Getting some treatment. Japan wins possession. Yamamoto comes on as an injury sub. There’s a penalty that finds territory, and Jaoan wins the lineout about five yards from the in-goal. Wallabies defending well through a series of tackles. Amafi carries it wide, Teaupa flashes past and gets the pass, but drops it once he’s over the line! Was diving for his ground and the ball spilled free. Another chance wasted by Japan, and they don’t come any clearer than that one.
Japan 23-63 Australia
69 mins: Try for Japan! Alright, they haven’t given up. They get a rolling maul going from a few yards out, and Amanaki Mafi is able to protect the ball in the middle of that pack and drop himself to ground. Tamura has been subbed on to the field and takes the conversion kick neatly.
Hodge only has one setting on his kicking leg. #JAPvAUS pic.twitter.com/Gz5EhqMSWu
— Andy Thompson (@SweatyJester) November 4, 2017
Japan 16-63 Australia
66 mins: Well, there must come a point in these games when you give up. It looks so easy for Simmons there that Japan must have done. Phipps feeds the ball out from a breakdown, and the big lock is rumbling past to receive. No one really tries to stop him as he angles through a big gap to the line. Japan have nearly conceded more points than minutes, which isn’t a good look. Do I need to tell you what Hodge did with the conversion from right in front?
Updated
64 mins: Coleman on for Philip as well, the latter making his debut. And McCalman is on, I think, though I didn’t catch who went off. Shota Horie comes off for Japan.
62 mins: Well, that wasn’t spectacular. But it gets points. The Wallabies pressing up near the try-line. They turn over possession, but the Japanese defenders are within their own in-goal. Matsuda passes back looking for support, but Phipps is fastest to the ball and just has to fall on it in order to score. Hodge gets yet another conversion. Timani comes on for McMahon.
Japan 16-49 Australia
59 mins: Well, how easy is that. There’s a scrum, the Aussies hold it up for a fair while, then fling it wide and the big blokes combine once again. Kerevi takes out two tackles, freeling up Kuridrani. Japan’s defence is stretched and once more the try is under the posts. Hodge continues his flawless day with the boot.
Updated
So psyched about Speight (and Beale) turning someone else's mistake into a beautiful Kerevi try <3 #JAPvAUS
— laura (@lauraellen12) November 4, 2017
Japan 16-42 Australia
55 mins: A few morale points back quickly for Japan, as there’s an offside call well within reach of the posts. Matsuda makes no mistake with the kick.
Updated
Japan 13-Australia 42
53 mins: What a sequence. Hodge throws out a very ordinary pass within his own half, but Speight picks up on the bouncing ball and tears infield. He manages to find gap after gap, inside and then up, then another zig and zag. Eventually he offloads to Beale, who gains some more ground before finding Kerevi. There are defenders to lay the tackles, but you know it’s only a matter of time. Kerevi is the one who can’t be stopped - he charges to within 10 yards, fends off the last tackle, is ankle-tapped, but uses the momentum from the trip to fire himself over the line just before the ball spills free from his one hand. Hodge makes it six from six.
Updated
Quite a good spot at the game today #JAPvAUS pic.twitter.com/khkjXsjCkk
— Martin Cross (@MartinXRugby) November 4, 2017
Japan 13-Australia 35
48 mins: Suddenly things have kicked up a notch. Japan tackles heavily in midfield. Mafi steals the ball, TPN gets it back, then the Blossoms get it a third time. The kick upfield goes out, and the Wallabies have to take a lineout well in their half. Their own clearing kick goes into touch, and an offside call comes through as well. The penalty is going to be used to kick for points rather than touch. Matsuda is lining up on a fair angle from the right side of the posts, about 40 out, and knocks it over. 10 points to start the half for Japan. Now it would have been interesting had they taken their chances in the first.
Japan 10-Australia 35
44 mins: This is good stuff from the Blossoms. They receive the kickoff, bang it back downtown, then follow up to win back possession. They’re within three yards of the tryline at one point, then go wide right and win a scrum in front of the posts for a touchline infringement. They’re trying to maul their way over the line, and Tanaka is claiming the ball was grounded. The official wants to award a try, and asks the TMO if there’s anything to prevent that. The turf is utterly ripped up in front of the posts, and there’s a groundsman in a fluoro coat with a water bottle ineffectively trying to stamp it down.
On the replay, McMahon is underneath van der Walt, but one angle does show some ball on the turf, and eventually the ref concludes that he’s over. A good start from Japan, and Matsuda improves it with the conversion!
Updated
Finally, I get one over Supersport.
@GeoffLemonSport @OracleRugby says Great work bringing us the coverage of the #JAPvAUS game, since #SSRugby refuses to show us
— Oracle Rugby (@OracleRugby) November 4, 2017
Chris Miller wants to expose me as a dilettante. “Hi, what’s the feel of the rejigged backline? Is the Hodge at 10 experiment a success? How’s Beale at 15? Is the abominable Phipps as bad as the Roarers suggest?”
I mean, it’s worked so far. Hodge and Beale have combined well on a couple of occasions. Phipps has had one or two handling errors, but been ok. That said, this hasn’t been the sternest of tests for Australia. The Japanese have been on the back foot since pretty early. They need to find some oomph in the second half, then we might have a better idea. But I wouldn’t read much into what I’ve seen today when assessing a team for the UK.
Important to have the toss an hour before a rugby match, so the team batting first can get padded up and have a few throwdowns.
We've won the toss! An hour til kickoff LIVE on @FOXSportsAUS #JPNvAUS pic.twitter.com/2L7kQlWSNQ
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) November 4, 2017
Half time: Japan 3-35 Australia
Well, it’s been hard slog for Japan. When you’re that far outgunned against an opponent, you really have to make the most of every chance you get. Japan instead have missed a penalty and blown a couple of chances deep in attack. Still, even best case they would only be 13-35, or maybe 20-35 if we were really generous. What has caused their problems is just how easily the Australians have broken through when given an extended period with ball in hand. It’s seemed relatively simple to open up space on one side as long as the Wallabies show patience. And they have. TPN had a lot of aggressive run, Beale has been sharp with his passing and kicking, Hodge has been accurate, and the Triple-K backs (Koroibete, Kerevi, Kuridrani) have all been busy. Could be party time in the second half, and expect some substitutions to give some other players a run.
Since Japanese flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda has taped all 10 of his fingers for grip, I will refer to him exclusively as Sticky Riki #JAPvAUS
— Charlie Lawry (@CharlieLawry) November 4, 2017
Japan 3-35 Australia
40 minutes: A long delay as the umpire gives both captains a dressing-down about their front rows not scrumming properly. A knock-on from the Wallabies gives up possession, then Kuridrani yanks an opponent backward by the collar, which is a high tackle. Japan goes for territory with the penalty, and works up to the defensive 20. They try a couple of dummy runs, but in the end Himeno is penalised for crawling another couple of metres after he was tackled, and Japan blow another chance. Hodge kicks for touch, Beale gets the pass away after the lineout, Kerevi runs through a couple, Speight does the same. That trio has been in everything. Hooper toes it forward but Japan get possession, and Tanaka shunts the kick forward. Beale and Hodge combine well back towards the left, Koroibete draws the tackle, and opens up the chance for Kuridrani to complete a double. I couldn’t stop to post this, the action kept coming. Hodge has five conversions to his name.
Updated
Japan 3-28 Australia
34 min: A bullocking run from McMahon, who drags a few players with him, allows a quick cut-out pass from Hodge. Beale has options toward the left sideline, and goes with Tevita Kuridrani. Plenty of room on that side to charge the last 20 metres and over. Hodge makes no mistake.
31 min: Great string of phases there from the Wallabies, they crack double figures and wind up at around 13 from my count. But some fierce defending from Japan in midfield eventually sees Simmons cough it up. The packs prepare for a scrum, Japan’s feed. They keep possession this time, but lose the ball with a tackle into touch.
29 min: That’s some fine work at the breakdown from Himeno. He gets in during the tackle, keeps his feet, and forces a turnover. Celebrates with a fist-pump and a roar. More physical than metaphysical. Unfortunately for his effort, Matsuda fluffs the kick from a straightforward spot.
27 min: Beale finds touch, Japan give up their lineout. Not good stuff, it’s hard when you’re a foot shorter than the other mob. The ball is with gold shirts again, up towards the 20, then a charging run from Kepu, received the ball and spun out of trouble, barged through a couple of tackles, then as he was being brought down, tried a reverse flick-pass on the backhand to Scott Sio. The pass was a little too hot, and the Blossoms get some relief with a penalty to their advantage deep in their defensive zone.
“Hi Geoff,” writes Chris Miller on the email line. “In China, drinking Belgian beer, reading live blogs of Oz v Japan: the Roar and yours. Roar more insiderish; yours more metaphysical , as rugby blogs should be.”
We call that ‘an industry point of difference’. Then we walk off the end of a jetty because we hate what we’ve become.
Japan 3-21 Australia
25 min: Beale chips over the top cleverly for Koroibete, who wins another penalty. They kick for touch again, though they could have kicked for points. Things end up with a rolling maul near the line, and as it starts t fall apart, Polota-Nau chooses his moment to emerge from the whir of limbs with the ball in hand, and he crashes over near the posts. Hodge lines up with his long legs and his high-kicking style, and makes his conversion tally three from three.
22 min: Another Japanese lineout, and they nearly lose it as the Aussies get a hand in. But the ball bounces back Japan’s way. A series of passes has them through the centre of the ground, but a penalty is called for offside and Australia gets to kick for position. The Wallabies keep possession from the lineout, but turn it over in the centre of the field. Japan hangs onto one box kick, then coughs up the next. Things devolve into a midfield wrestle.
Japan 3-14 Australia
18 min: Japan gets on the board with a straightforward penalty from nearly straight in front. Matsuda pops it over.
15 min: Japan wins a line-out at around the 20. They pull off a sneaky move, with Tanaka passing by well behind the line, but snaring the long ball. They’re pushing up toward the try-line, but the ball is overturned and goes into touch. We’ll come back for a Japanese penalty.
Greetings to Tony Woodley, and if anyone has any advice for his dilemma, let him know.
Morning @GeoffLemonSport from the UK. Having been in the Brighton Amex stadium for that RWC SAvJAP match I'm now an avid fan! #JapvAus
— Tony Woodley (@zimoza90) November 4, 2017
@GeoffLemonSport As well as your blog, also scouring the interweb for anywhere to watch match as no UK channel broadcasting it. #JapvAus
— Tony Woodley (@zimoza90) November 4, 2017
That's Tevita Kuridrani's try. Ultimate decoy line opened up the hole for Speight who finished well #JAPvAUS
— Nic Darveniza (@NicDarveniza) November 4, 2017
Japan 0-14 Australia
12 min: This could get ugly fast for Japan. From about 30 out, a succession of quick passes, and the cut-back to Henry Speight who had up a full head of steam. He bursts through the defensive line as though it were a pre-match banner, and fires over unattended by the post. That makes it simple for Hodge to add his second brace of extras.
Updated
That's the way Hodge at No.10 works. Beale glides into 1st receiver at will,throws pinpoint cutout pass and Kerevi scores. Tick 7-0 #JAPvAUS
— Jim Tucker (@HulaBulaJim) November 4, 2017
Japan 0-7 Australia
7 min: Amarfi working hard defensively as the Wallabies have three goes... four goes... at the Japanese line. They push and push over to the right side, then ping the pass back to the untenanted left where Kerevi goes over unopposed. That was too easy in the end. Hodge pops over the 30-metre conversion with a high kick.
4 min: Wallabies concede a penalty for hanging on, but then the video ref intervenes. A few passes earlier, Japan’s Shota gets down low and trips the ball-carrier Polota-Nau without using his arms to tackle. Basically got run into before he could wrap, and used his shoulders to trip the player. So Australia get the penalty reversed, and a good kick well up the field sees a line-out near the Japanese line.
Updated
3 min: A few kicks early, then a Wallaby handling error. Japan wins the scrum feed, though the Wallaby pack has a massive weight advantage. In the end the scrum collapses twice, and Australia wins a kick.
The national anthems are being played. Applause rings out. I had a glance at a competitor’s live blog (got to keep an eye on the oppo) which is talking up Australia’s “extraordinary 42-year win streak” against Japan. Um, they’ve played four times. Twice in 1975. I think you’re better off staying over here.
Guardian live blog also available in Japanese
This is a new one for me - this same blog is also being written in Japanese script by Oliver Trenchard. If you prefer to read in that language, head over here.
Brave Blossoms
1. Keita Inagaki
2. Shota Horie
3. Takuma Asahara
4 Kazuki Himeno
5. Hell Uwe
6. Michael Leitch (c)
7. Kousaku Shinsuke
8. Amanaki Mafi
9. Shiro Tanaka
10. Rikiya Matsuda
11. Ryuji Noguchi
12. Harumichi Tachikawa
13. Timothy Lafaele
14. Lomano Lava Lemeki
15. Kotaro Matsushima
–
16. Atsushi Sakate
17. Koki Yamamoto
18. Asaeli Ai Valu
19. Wimpie Van Der Walt
20. Fetuani Lautaimi
21. Yutaka Nagare
22. Yu Tamura
23. Sione Teaupa
Updated
Of course, this happened.
Our #Wallabies on a special visit to the Australian Embassy in Tokyo. #JAPvAUS pic.twitter.com/OV4pesPQo4
— Qantas Wallabies (@qantaswallabies) November 3, 2017
Wallabies
1. Scott Sio
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Rob Simmons
5. Adam Coleman
6. Ned Hanigan
7. Michael Hooper (c)
8. Sean McMahon
9. Nick Phipps
10. Reece Hodge
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Samu Kerevi
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Henry Speight
15. Kurtley Beale
–
16. Stephen Moore
17. Tom Robertson
18. Allan Alaalatoa
19. Matt Philip*
20. Ben McCalman
21. Lopeti Timani
22. Joe Powell
23. Curtis Rona
In: Joe Powell, Matt Philip, Ben McCalman, Curtis Rona
Out: Will Genia, Lukhan Tui, Jack Dempsey, Israel Folau (rest)
Australia, meanwhile, has had a pretty wobbly time before pulling its act together against the All Blacks a couple of weeks ago. It was a fine performance, all the more so for being unexpected. Predictably, coach Michael Cheika isn’t going to rest anything on that performance. “In Test rugby, the most important game is the next one.” Wise words, Cheik.
Equally wise, “We’re keen to do well and play good rugby.”
Ah, Japan. Beloved underdog. Unlikely rugby power, yet one that has slowly grown. The time they beat Wales in 2013. Then the upset over South Africa at the last World Cup - “one of the biggest in the history of the game” says a bloke on the telly. I don’t know, I wasn’t watching. Timely broadcasting though, as we’re seeing highlights now. 32-34 the score on that occasion, in a game no fan of the Gilbert will ever forget.
So fast has rugby grown in this country, in fact, that the next World Cup will be held here. The fixture has already been released nearly two years ahead (hello, cricket). Australia will face Fiji in Sapporo, Wales in Tokyo, one of Canada or Uruguay in Oita, then Georgia at Ecopa, before the knockout stage.
Get in touch
That’s right, this live blog is nothing, zilch, nada, without you, Constant Reader. Lover of ball sports, discipline of the soft missile, admirer of lines and the way they are forcibly dissolved. Your thoughts, reactions, fondest hopes and furthest dreams, the things you like or don’t or one day will. Send them to me via the Twitter machine using @GeoffLemonSport, or the email lines using geoff.lemon@theguardian.com.
Hello world. It’s time, as they say, for history to be made. When they say this, it’s always redundant, because history is being made whenever anything happens. By definition, the passing of any unit of time in this particular space-time continuum also constitutes the creation of that unit’s worth of history. A day when something happened for the 41st time is as historical as a day when it happened for the first. So, maybe we should find a better way of expressing things that actually shows fidelity to the meaning of the words we employ. A minor quibble to consider as you enjoy this game of rugby football and weigh up the vocabulary you will use to describe the experience.
What I’m really trying to say is, today is the first time Australia will play Japan on the home soil of the latter, with a game between the Wallabies and the Brave Blossoms at Yokohama Stadium on Japan’s eastern seaboard. If you had to fight something, would you prefer a wallaby or a blossom? Probably neither if it was the size of any of the gentlemen bearing the nickname today.
Geoff will be here shortly. In the meantime, have a read of today’s team news, in this article here:
