Junior All Blacks 52
Japan 21
The Junior All Blacks went from casting shadows to chasing them before beating Japan in a Pacific Nations Cup rugby match in Fiji yesterday.
The New Zealanders won in Lautoka, despite a hugely indifferent performance.
However, the result maintained their unbeaten record after three matches in this year's four-team competition also featuring the national sides from Fiji and Tonga.
It appeared all too easy for the Junior All Blacks in the first half as they scored six tries to lead 40-0 before they went off the boil and Japan redoubled their efforts.
The Japanese caused some embarrassment for their more fancied opponents by scoring three converted tries in the third quarter to peg the gap back to 21-40, before the New Zealanders had the final say with the last two tries of the match.
Coached by All Blacks great John Kirwan, Japan had their moments in the first half but they were few and far between against a Junior All Blacks side who revelled in the freedom gifted them by the weak tackling Japanese.
The New Zealanders were too physical at the breakdown where the loose forward trio of Sione Lauaki, Victor Vito and Alando Soakai dominated.
Vito, a former sevens star with higher aspirations in the 15-man code, particularly enjoyed the open nature of the contest.
His two tries were both special, the first coming in the 12th minute when he picked up a loose Japanese pass, palmed off one would be tackler and sprinted 60m to the line.
His second, in the 33rd minute, saw Vito chip ahead with his left foot and casually regather enroute to his team's fifth try.NZPA
