2015 IRB Junior Rugby World Cup - Italy

[kiap]

Samoa put up a tough fight against a heavier Kiwi pack.

 

[Hans]

Well this isn't a good start!

Japan in after about 10 minutes of sustained pressure on the Aus line.

Aus scrum having no impact at all on the Japanese Scrum. Japan very tight in the pick and drive, backs not offering to much. Aus down 7-0

 

[Hans]

Seems I missed an early penalty to Aus. Score is Aus 3 - Japan 7

 

[Hans]

Long passage of end to end stuff. Aus coughing up ball every time they look to attack. Backs not getting any front foot ball, forwards getting dominated at the ruck. Kamp (7) the standout for the aussies so far, into everything!

 

[Hans]

Aus lose possession again and Japan clear from their 22. Aus not holding possession at all. very one out play. Aus back on attack inside the Japan 22. Rolling maul and ruck it up time. Going no where

 

[Hans]

Another knockon from Aus. Possession gone yet again. Aus playing like Seaforth U7's, all one out, no cohesion, and getting belted by the Japan forwards at scrum, lineout and ruck time.

Not good signs

 

[Hans]

Try to Aus out wide. Missed the player. Likely the left wing, or one of his outside back compadres. Aus 8 Japan 7 kick to come.

 

[Hans]

Appears conversion missed, 8-7 to Aus. Great steal from Aus 8, then ball thrown long from the ensuing lineout, turnover again.

 

[Hans]

Aus on attack, line wide open, 10 throws horrific pass to 11, 11 coughs it up 5 out, line open. turn over time!

8 is starting to get involved, as is 5 (L Tui I think). 12 starting to direct the running a touch straighter.

7 and 8 still the standouts for Aus at this stage. Another turn over to Aus thanks to 7, 20 out just to the left of the sticks. 10 to shoot for a penalty

 

[Hans]

Over, Aus 11-Japan 7

 

[Wilson]

Awesome try by Japan

 

[Hans]

Big breakout from a kick return to Japan and they have split Aus up the middle, run the length of the field and the 13 (could be wrong) has crossed in the left corner. Horrible defence from Aus, staggered and slow, Japan opened them far to easily. Aus 11 Japan 14 (try converted)

 

[Hans]

Japan 15 has been very good, great kick returns and very classy kicking from the ground.

 

[Hans]

Multiple turn overs, Japan making very easy meters of turnovers straight up the middle. Front row for Aus has all but vanished. 6 for Aus makes good bask up the middle. Backs look directionless aside from the 12 running it up straight to get them going forward. And another knockon

 

[Hans]

Try to Aus 12, after solid kick return from Aus 11, and good support from Aus 1. Good try down the left side.

 

[kiap]

Aus 20-14 Japan HT

 

[Hans]

Aus 18 japan 14, try converted

 

[Hans]

Correction, Aus 20 Japan 14, Early try was converted

 

[Hans]

This is not what the coaches would want to be seeing. Aus are struggling to match Japan for size, and their backs are running around like a flock of headless Geese.

If I were in the coaches box, I would be hoping the "A" side stays injury free, as the reserves look to be a peg below the mark, especially given the result NZ was able to put on Japan earlier.

Second half not far off.

Lets hope for some more direction and improvement.

 

[RugbyReg]

Hans, thanks for the updates. Awesome stuff.