Wanganui 35 v Japan 29
  Wanganui staged a grandstand finish to claim its first international rugby scalp in 22 years with a deserved 35-29 victory over the Japanese World CupXV in a thrilling match at Spriggens Park yesterday. Lion Red Wanganui outscored Japan five tries to four, coming back from a 29-27 deficit with a penalty goal and try in the last 3min to snatch victory to the delight of the vocal crowd of 1500. Wanganui coach Bernie Kelly was absolutely delighted with a great winning start to the new season, in contrast to Japan manager Koji Tokumasu who praised Wanganui but said "it was a very disappointing result for us.'' The lead changed five times in a match with a ton of flow but also numerous mistakes from both sides.
  "We won because we stuck to our game plan ? drive through the forwards and take the ball down the middle of the field instead of raiding wide where they are very dangerous,'' said a beaming Kelly. "It was a gutsy effort because if anything our fitness could have told against such a fast team as Japan. Our players who were really fit shone today and that augurs well for the coming NPC campaign once all the squad are fully match fit. "We put in a huge number of tackles and went well in the lineouts and forward drives. It was really a great team effort and being the first international scalp since 1980 (16-11 over Fiji) made it that extra special. It has been a long time coming but it has to be good for Wanganui rugby,'' said Kelly.
  "A very disappointing result in our build-up for the World Cup,'' said the Japan XV manager. "Wanganui deserved the victory, playing with more aggression, claiming a lot of turn-overs which we did not anticipate and ball retention was an important aspect. "We are naturally disappointed but it was a very exciting match to watch even although we will have to work harder before our World Cup qualifying games against Korea and Chinese Taipei next month,'' said Tokumasu. Former All Black selector Ross Cooper, who is travelling with the Japanese, praised Wanganui for its victory. "It was a good match for both sides with a lot of atmosphere and action and an ideal start for Bernie Kelly and his Wanganui team. "I am really rapt for Wanganui after the disappointment of losing second division status last year with the game a credit to the union for the excellent organising even down to the very entertaining Japanese drummers,'' said Cooper.
  Despite playing into the brisk wind in the first spell Wanganui was on level terms, 15-all at half-time, after a good 40 minutes of rugby against very elusive opposition raiders.  Japan was particularly dangerous when moving the ball wide with tall and fast winger Ryohei Miki scoring a try while playing on each wing. Opposite winger Toru Kurihara also had plenty of pace and flair and first five Soshi Fuchigami was another dangerous player. Skipper Takuro Miuchi, who played at both No 8 and on the flank of the scrum led Japan by example with plenty of fire in his play, replacement Hirotiki Onozawa had some great charges and New Zealander Adam Parker also went well at times.
  The outstanding Wanganui player was No 8 Ray Stark who was in a feast of action and scored a gem of a try in his Wanganui debut. Fellow loose forwards Scott Brider and Scott Donald were also thorns in the side of Japan and each picked up a try, Donald's coming right on time when Wanganui was holding a slender one-point advantage.
  New captain Kelly Finnigan drove well at times with Bevan Ryan and Dean Barr claiming some valuable lineout ball. Halfback Scott Brown made some very clever line kicks, Darin Balcombe was solid in mid field and made some good raids and fullback Dwayne Kemp appealed with his sound all round play including scoring a try. Goal-kicker Aaron Chadwick found it hard to master a swirling wind, missing five of nine shots but he still finished with 10 points.
  It was a good sustained effort by Wanganui which did well to come back inthe dying minutes when defeat was facing the team.
Play by Play
4min: Aaron Chadwick an easy penalty from a Japanese scrum mistake. Wanganui 3-0.
11min: Captain and No 8 Takuru Miuchi scored from a planned scrum movement. Toru Kurihara converted. Japan 7-3.
16min: Kurihara an easy penalty. Japan 10-3.
19min: Clever sidestep by fullback Dwayne Kemp to set up his try. Japan 10-8.
26min: Good Wanganui build-up and flanker Scott Brider snapped up a loose ball for a fine solo try. Chadfield converted.  Wang.15-10.
31min: Right winger Ryohei Miki too fast when provided with an opening for a try. Half-time: Wanganui 15, Japan XV 15.
50min: Fine dummy pass and 20 metre solo run by No 8 Ray Stark for a try under the posts. Chadwick converted. Wang. 22-15.
53min: First five Soshi Fuchigami raced through a gap after a strong Japan raid to score and converted his own try.  22- 22.
61min: Darin Balcombe too much speed for a try after breaking the defence. Wanganui 27-22.
68min: Miki, playing on the opposition wing to the first spell, scored inthe corner and Fuchigami converted from the sideline. Japan 29-27.
78min: Chadwick an easy penalty out in front of the posts. Wanganui 30-29.
80min: Replacement flanker Scott Donald scored a spectacular try in the corner. FT 35-29
Great Matches
Home     Latest News & Matches    Standiings & Analysis     Who Are We   

Days of Glory & Pain     Chronicle Match Reports       Profiles     Links  
More Matches to Follow Soon