John Kirwan’s Japanese face Tonga in a battle for the minor placing in Pool A, a match that in previous years has proved a very competitive fixture. The two second-tier nations topped the Pacific nations Cup in 2011, with a nail-biting 28-27 game between the two eventually handing Japan the title. Japan earned rave reviews after an impressive showing against France in the first game; John Kirwan has explicitly stated, however, that his developing team are targeting wins against Tonga and fellow minnows Canada in they are to leave New Zealand satisfied. Tonga will want to exorcise memories of their last trip to Okara Park, in which a makeshift line-up was upstaged by a more tactical Canadian outfit in a morale-sapping 25-20 defeat five days after the Islanders performed reasonably well in their first-round loss to hosts New Zealand. However Japan’s recent record against the Islanders – they have won their last five games against Tongan opposition – gives them the edge despite Tonga’s more impressive World Cup pedigree.
Japan rested the large majority of their starting XV against hosts New Zealand with an eye to this game, after a stirring effort against France in the first game. The top team returns with just two changes from the French game, both due to injury; centre Koji Taira and No. 8 Ryukoliniasi Holani are replaced by Alisi Tupuailai and Itaru Taniguchi respectively. Kirwan’s outfit will look to expat Kiwi James Arlidge to repeat his 21-point heroics against France while a sharp tactical outfit will look to prey on Tonga’s weak disciplinary record.
Tonga showed their potential up front in a ten-minute assault on the All Black’s line on the opening night; the Islanders will look to barge their way through a small Japanese team in much the same way. The pack however has four changes from that first game, perhaps most importantly missing captain Finau Maka due to a rib injuy. Taniela Moa and Kurt Morath start in the halves after their fly-half/fullback experiment failed against Canada, while Siale Piutau will look to continue his personal run of form from centre.
Players to watch:
James Arlidge proved his worth against the French and knows Okara Park well, having served his apprenticeship with Northland before leaving New Zealand shores.
The Tongan backline looks much more settled with Taniela Moa at scrumhalf; his size behind the pack could prove difficult for the Japanese to handle.
Tonga: 15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Alipate Fatafehi, 11 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 10 Kurt Morath, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Viliami Ma’afu, 7 Sione Vaiomo’unga, 6 Sione Kalamafoni, 5 Paino Hehea, 4 Tukulua Lokotui, 3 Taufa’ao Filise, 2 Aleki Lutui (captain), 1 Soane Tonga’uiha.
Replacements: 16 Aloisio Ma’asi, 17 Alisona Taumalolo, 18 Halani Aulika, 19 Joseph Tu’ineau, 20 Samiu Vahafolau, 21 Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Viliame Iongi.
Japan: 15 Shaun Webb, 14 Kosuke Endo, 13 Alisi Tupuailai, 12 Ryan Nicholas, 11 Hirotoki Onozawa, 10 James Arlidge, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Takashi Kikutani (c), 7 Michael Leitch, 6 Itaru Taniguchi, 5 Toshizumi Kitagawa, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Hisateru Hirashima.
Replacements: 16 Yusuke Aoki, 17 Nozomu Fujita, 18 Hitoshi Ono, 19 Sione Talikavili Vatuvei, 20 Atsushi Hiwasa, 21 Takehisa Usuzuki, 22 Murray Williams.