Fiji 35 Japan 31
KEY POINTS:
TOULOUSE - Fiji withstood a determined fightback from Japan to win a thrilling Pool B match 35-31 early today and get their rugby World Cup campaign off to a perfect start.
The Pacific Islanders scored their fourth try 10 minutes from fulltime to seal a hard-earned victory and a bonus point after the lead changed hands six times in the closest game of the tournament so far.
Fijian openside flanker Akapusi Oera scored two tries and centre Seru Rabeni and lock Kele Leawere both crossed once each while first five-eighth Nicky Little added three penalties and three conversions to become just the 13th player to pass 600 points in international rugby.
New Zealand-born lock Luke Thompson scored twice and prop Tomokazu Soma once for Japan, who were thrashed 91-3 by Australia in their opening game, but rebounded strongly to earn the consolation of a bonus point for losing by less than seven points.
The game got off to a scrappy start with both teams struggling to maintain possession before suddenly exploding into life in the second half.
Fiji opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Little landed a long-range penalty but Japan centre Shotaro Onishi levelled in the 18th minute, then put his team in front with a second penalty after half an hour.
Fiji regained the lead when Qera scooped up a loose pass and sprinted 70m to score under the posts but Japan pulled back to within a point at halftime when Onishi kicked his third penalty after Vilimoni Delasau was yellow-carded for a swinging arm.
Onishi gave Japan the lead with a penalty shortly after the re-start but Fiji immediately hit back when Qera scored his second try, finishing off a break from halfback Mosese Raulini and winger Isoa Neivua.
Thompson put Japan back in front when he galloped through a giant hole but another penalty from Little and a bustling try from centre Rabeni gave Fiji a six-point lead.
Tighthead prop Soma crashed over from a rolling maul but Onishi missed the angled conversion, leaving the Pacific Islanders a point in front.
Fiji looked to have the game wrapped up when Leawere burrowed his way over and Little added the conversion and a penalty to give them an 11-point advantage 10 minutes from the end.
But Thompson scored a second try and the Asian champions launched a wave of attacks in a fruitless but brave attempt to post their first World Cup win since 1991.
- REUTERS
