Japan faced a tough challenge in their recent international rugby test match against Italy at the Sapporo Dome. Despite their efforts, Japan was unable to secure a victory under the coaching of Eddie Jones, losing 42-14. Jones, who previously coached Japan from 2012 to 2015, returned to the head coaching role amidst controversy after leaving his position as Wallabies coach. In this second era under Jones, Japan has suffered defeats to England, Georgia, and now Italy, causing them to slip two places in the world rankings to 14th.
Italy entered the match as the favorite, following a 36-24 victory over Tonga in their previous game. While Japan had suffered a close 25-23 loss to Georgia in the prior week, Italy’s dominant performance against Samoa indicated the challenge that Japan would face. Italy maintained the lead throughout the match, with Australia-born center Dylan Riley scoring both of Japan’s tries, converted by Rikiya Matsuda. Italy’s Lyon scrumhalf, Martin Page-Relo, set the tone early with a penalty and full-back Ange Capuozzo scored the first try, giving Italy a 17-0 lead.
Despite Riley’s first try narrowing the gap to 24-7 at halftime, Japan found themselves struggling to catch up. The second half saw Riley scoring his second try, bringing Japan’s score to 14, but Italy continued to extend their lead with two penalties from Page-Relo. Alessandro Garbisi’s try in the 72nd minute sealed Italy’s victory, with a final try from Ross Vintcent in the 81st minute. Despite facing challenges with players in the sin bin, Italy’s performance was strong enough to secure the win over Japan.
Italy’s victory over Japan marked their eighth win in ten matches between the two teams, showcasing their dominance in recent encounters. The match highlighted the competitive nature of international rugby and the improvements that Japan still needs to make under Eddie Jones’s leadership. Japan’s defeat against Italy adds to their recent string of losses, including setbacks against England and Georgia, impacting their position in the world rankings.
Overall, Italy’s strong performance and ability to maintain the lead throughout the match demonstrated their skill and determination on the field. Meanwhile, Japan faced challenges in trying to secure a win under their returning coach, Eddie Jones. The match showcased the competitive spirit of both teams and the ongoing development and growth of rugby on the international stage. Japan will need to regroup and work on improving their game as they aim to secure victories in future matches under Jones’s leadership. Italy’s victory over Japan serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and exciting nature of international rugby and the fierce competition that exists amongst top teams competing on the world stage.
