Japanese XV disappoints

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 3

Japanese XV disappoints

PA Dunedin There would be little satisfaction for the Japanese rugby team in its 18-all draw with Otago University on Saturday because there were many aspects of its game needing improvement.

Neither team could be pleased with its performance in the game at the University oval. The Japanese seemed to have moved away from their traditional strength of moving the ball quickly out to the wings and then returning it to run the opposition off their feet.

The try-scoring opportunities were there — it was a very free-flowing game — but Japanese midfield backs preferred to cut back when there were overlaps on the outside. There can be little criticism of the ball-handling skills of the Japanese or their ability to send out a crisp, quick pass. When the ball was fed out the side looked very dangerous, but it was not done often enough. The team manager, Ryo Saito, was not pleased. “The combination between our halfback Hiroshi Yamashita and first-fi.ve-eighths Mitsumobu Sunamura was not good,” he said. “The ball was kept too long in the scrum and this harmed our combination.” But Sunamura must be given his due for some good play. He kicked five goals I

from eight attempts and this helped Japan draw the game. The tackling, especially on the flanks was poor and let Otago University in for three of its four tries. The Japanese find it difficult to tackle a player when he gets speed on and it was too easy for University backs like David Halligan and Grant Johnstone to run right through the defence. Scores:— Japan 18 (Tsutomo Fukumoto try, Mitsumobu Sunamura four penalty goals and conversion); Otago University 18 (Steve Martin. Duncan McKenzie, Grant Johnstone, David Halligan tries. Halligan conversion.

Referee Mr R. Cheyne. The Japanese tourists play South Island Universities today at Carisbrook. Teams are:—Japan: Hideo Toshima, Flmio Ohyama, Nozomu Isaja, Tetsuro Yajima, Stsuro Tsuji, Mitsumobu Sunamura, Junya Matsumoto, Kazuo Sejimo, Takio Nishizuma, Hiroaki Takahashi, Toshiyuki Hayashi, Kazunori Arai. Hideaki Toyoda, Osamu Watahiki, Ken Nakayama. South Island Universities: Doug Heffernan, David Halligan, Mark Fraser, Duncan McDonald, Mike Perrott, Kieran Keane, Gary Barkle, Tupu Williams, Duncan McKenzie. Mark Hammond. David White, Don Stevenson, Mervyn Oaks, John Black, John Edmondson.