Red card strikes again as Fiji hand Japan another Rugby World Cup warm-up loss

Fiji have beaten Japan in convincing style at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo, dominating the Rugby World Cup warm-up match with a final score of 35-12.

The game got off to a quick start as Fiji scored first through Waisea Nayacalevu in the 4th minute.

Japan’s fortunes took a further turn for the worse when openside Pieter Labuschagne was shown a red card, handing Fiji a numerical disadvantage for the rest of the match. It’s the second sending-off in a row Japan have sustained during their warm-up games, after skipper Michael Leitch suffered a similar fate against Samoa.

Undeterred by the setback, Japan displayed no little resilience, but it was Fiji who would strike again through Eroni Mawi and Simione Kuruvoli, who both crossed the try line before the first half concluded, giving Fiji a comfortable lead going into the break.

The second half commenced with both teams making strategic substitutions. Fiji’s Frank Lomani and Ratu Meli Derenalagi proved instrumental for Fiji, contributing to the visitors’ superior attack.

Japan’s Seungsin Lee and Ryoto Nakamura showcased their owns skills and the team’s effort eventually told with Jone Naikabula scoring a remarkable consolation try in the 70th minute. Japan would score again minutes later through Semisi Masirewa, but by that stage, it was very much too little, too late for the Brave Blossoms.

Fiji’s Sireli Maqala received a yellow card, but even that couldn’t dampen Fiji’s spirits. In the dying moments of the game Lomani put the proverbial cherry on top of an impressive team performance when he scored a 5-pointer in the 80th minute, with Teti Tela converting, securing a 23-point margin of victory for Simon Raiwalui’s side, who remain unbeaten so far in their Rugby World Cup warm-ups.

Fiji will face Wales, Australia, Georgia and Portugal in the Pool C of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.