Quick learnings for Flying Fijians after 34-21 loss to Japan in PNC opener

The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians team went down 34-21 to Japan in its opening World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) match against Japan at Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium yesterday.

The hosts who played the Fijian side at one of 12 venues for RWC2019 raced into an 8-0 lead as Kenki Fukuoka latched onto a Yu Tamura kick-through, to add a try to the latter’s early penalty.

The Flying Fijians came back though into the contest and showcased their counter-attacking ability, Levani Botia rounding off a flowing team move to score a try that Ben Volavola converted. But from that moment Japan seized control of the contest.

An incisive inside ball from scrum-half Kaito Shigeno allowed Kotaro Matsushima to score before the wing turned provider for Timothy Lafaele, who notched his side’s third try.

Filipo Nakosi received a yellow card just before the half-hour mark, after which Kazuki Himeno touched down to secure the hosts a try-scoring bonus-point.

The Flying Fijians narrowed the half-time deficit to 29-14 as Sam Matavesi crashed over for his first try.

Matsushima scored his second try of the match to extend the hosts’ lead before Matavesi completed a brace of his own as the game ticked into its final quarter.

The Flying Fijians were unable to advance further into their lead as Jamie Joseph’s side held out for a resounding opening victory.

The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians Coach said “We going to take some very quick learnings from this game.

“We came here with high hopes and at the same time expected a tough game from a very good Japanese team,” McKee said.

He added that Japan was very clinical in the early stages of the game and scored some good tries through their execution of plays which caught them out in defence.

“Once we were behind and chasing in the game, we lacked composure to build the pressure and also we tried to force the play too much which resulted in turnovers,” McKee revealed.

He highlighted “In defence we made some critical mistakes, little system errors where players either didn’t understand their role probably or didn’t execute their role as they should have.”

 “We made some good breaks but we were not able to build the pressure as we were forced a last pass or offload which was turned over,” McKee said.             

The Flying Fijians arrive home on Monday and will work to put up a different PNC performance against Canada and Samoa in the next two weeks.

McKee added “We will get back to Fiji on Monday morning and link up with the players who have been training at home, to prepare for the match against Canada.”

 “We are looking forward to getting back to home and also for wins on home soil for our fans,” McKee added. The Fiji Airways Flying Fijians face Canada next Saturday at Suva’s ANZ Stadium and then play Samoa at the same venue on Saturday 10 August.