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Japan player ratings vs All Blacks | Lipovitan-D Challenge Cup
By Ned Lester
Japan hosted New Zealand with the chance to make a statement under returning head coach Eddie Jones, but what was a promising start soon fizzled out as the All Blacks ran away with a huge winning margin.
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64-19 was the end result in a wild Tokyo Test, a result both sides will take with a grain of salt. Strong debutant performances highlighted the promising futures ahead for both nations, but there’s plenty of work to be done ahead of a testing Autumn Nations Series.
Here’s how the hosts rated in the contest.
1. Takato Okabe – 7.5
An energetic and mobile prop, Okabe was willing to chase hard as the ball flew around the Tokyo park. With the starters on the field, Japan held up well in the scrums, an impressive feat while giving up 60-odd kg against the Kiwis in regard to total pack weight.
2. Atsushi Sakate – 5
The Japan lineout functioned near flawlessly in the contest. Sakate’s work around the park however left something to be desired as he registered just five tackles and even fewer carries.
3. Shuhei Takeuchi – 8
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The 26-year-old prop impressed in his core role at scrum time, but also around the park as one of the most active defenders in the contest. The prop also stood out for his efforts contesting the breakdown.
4. Sanaila Waqa – 7
Waqa lent his sizeable frame to the game on both sides of the ball, leaving his mark on numerous All Blacks rib cages. Given his proven ability to win the collision area, it’s a surprise the big man isn’t employed more as a ball-carrier.
5. Warner Dearns – 8.5
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It’s a shame Dearns had what would have been an all-time great lock try ruled out due to a previous knock-on. The giant 22-year-old proved once again his world-class potential. Only Dylan Riley equalled the lock’s defenders beaten tally for Japan in the contest.
6. Amato Fakatava – 8
The work rate, physicality and pace of Fakatava impressed throughout his minutes in the game. The blindside was often one of, if not the first forward to arrive at the first breakdown following a linebreak.
His powerful frame saw him wrestle with his Kiwi counterparts admirably and contribute handily to his side’s better moments.
7. Kazuki Himeno – 5
A relatively quiet outing for the openside, with three missed tackles to go along with his nine completions. In a game where a physical edge was needed to counter New Zealand’s momentum, Japan struggled.
8. Faulua Makisi – 6
As a ball-carrier, Makisi initially struggled to get his team on the front foot against a monstrous All Blacks pack. He certainly made his presence felt on some of the smaller All Blacks though.
9. Shinobu Fujiwara – 8.5
Tasked with igniting Eddie Jones’ ambitious attack, Fujiwara’s decision-making was a mixed bag early but his composure for a Test rookie speaks volumes about his potential at this level.
Defensively, the 25-year-old was able to rip the ball from Anton Lienert-Brown in the tackle and showed great courage throughout his 70 minutes.
10. Harumichi Tatekawa – 8
Some superb defensive work from Tatekawa, while ultimately delaying the inevitable, set the tone with strong work all the same from a man tasked with leading by example.
The veteran playmaker had little influence on the game with the ball in hand, with his name now added to Samipeni Finau’s No. 10 hitlist.
11. Malo Tuitama – 4
Perhaps the best winger in the Pacific Nations Cup, Japan struggled to put Tuitama in space in this game. Just two carries and one tackle came from his 54 minutes on the park.
12. Nik McCurran – 5
McCurran looked a touch off the pace in a rapid game, also struggling to make his presence felt defensively. His work rate remained high throughout the game but ultimately just a handful of carry metres from his dozen carries didn’t contribute much.
13. Dylan Riley – 7
Japan’s burgeoning superstar centre had his trademark moments of magic, looking dangerous in many of his dozen carries and breaking four tackles. Quiet defensively with just a handful of tackles made.
14. Jone Naikabula – 5
Naikabula opened the scoring with immense pace, scoring a try that sent a warning to the visitors in just the fourth minute.
After that effort, the winger was only seen in the match when his side of the park was being targetted by the All Blacks, and a game-leading four missed tackles contributed to the visitors’ hefty scoreline.
15. Yoshitaka Yazaki – 6.5
The young star injected his pace into the match at various times, creating opportunities that ultimately went unfinished. There were plenty of carries that showcased the 20-year-old’s impressive pace. Ball security was an issue for the young gun throughout.
Substitutes
16. Mamoru Harada – 7
A busy cameo off the bench for the 25-year-old, with strong work logged across the field. However, the Japan scrum lost its competitiveness late, allowing another New Zealand momentum surge.
17. Takayoshi Mohara – 6
18. Opeti Helu – 8
The debutant celebrated his first run in Japan colours with a spectacular try, cantering through a gap where the previous ruck had been before putting a step on Damian McKenzie to get himself over the line and under the posts.
19. Epineri Uluiviti – 8
A great first injection into the game from Uluiviti saw him challenge the kick-off and force an All Blacks error. Repeating that effort late in the match added to a handy cameo.
20. Kanji Shimokawa – 5
21. Taiki Koyama – 6
22. Tomoki Osada – 5
23. Takuro Matsunaga – 5
VERY Generous!
Howd that pack hold them out amazing effort to get purchase on the flakey turf! reckon the ground could only handle 900kg worth of push
Got a hiding but goddamn how sweet was that opening try. Mean inside ball.
It's incredible that a few of Japan's players look exactly like caucasians and pacific islanders
I think it is more incredible these days when you see actual Japanese people playing for Japan.
How is that incredible?
Japan did lose by 40 or so points. Can't understand the ratings then.