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Wallabies score 63 points in historic win over Japan
By Sacha Pisani
Tevita Kuridrani scored a hat-trick as the red-hot Wallabies defeated a spirited Japan side 63-30 in Yokohama on Saturday.
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Australia – riding high following their victory against world champions New Zealand last month – were always in control, crossing over for nine tries to three in the first meeting between the two teams in Japan.
Japan, who were crushed 91-3 in nation’s last match against Australia at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, finished the game with two unanswered tries to post their most points against the Wallabies.
The Wallabies – already missing the rested Israel Folau for their Spring tour – were without a trio of stars as Bernard Foley, Will Genia and Karmichael Hunt sat out the game through illness and injury.
That’s a wrap! Our #Wallabies have defeated @JRFURugby 63-30 here in Yokohama. #JPNvAUS
— Wallabies (@wallabies) November 4, 2017
But Reece Hodge – nine-from-nine conversions – and Nick Phipps stepped up to help inspire Australia before fixtures against Wales, England and Scotland.
The Wallabies made a quick start, drawing first blood thanks to Samu Kerevi’s try in the fifth minute after Kurtley Beale spotted an overlap on the left before picking out the former for his fourth Test try.
Australia scored their second try just five minutes later when Speight collected the ball from Hodge and powered through Japan’s defence as another conversion from the latter made it 14-0.
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Japan – who shocked the world and marked a new era in the country’s rugby when they stunned South Africa at the 2015 World Cup – got on the board courtesy of a successful penalty from Rikiya Matsuda.
The Japanese were not embarrassed, taking the game to Australia, but Michael Cheika’s men were a class above as they took a 35-3 lead into half-time thanks to Kuridrani’s double and Tatafu Polota-Nau.
Japan did not surrender in the second half, a try to Wimpie van der Walt in the 45th minute and a penalty for Matsuda narrowing the margin to 22 points with half-an-hour to go.
The Aussies, though, responded with two tries in six minutes from Kerevi and Kuridrani approaching the hour-mark.
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Kerevi’s effort was the pick of the bunch and a contender for one of the best team tries of 2017. Beale orchestrated another linebreak with a sublime pass and after several offloads, Kerevi received possession and fended off his Japanese opponent as he carried the ball over the line.
Phipps and Rob Simmons got in on the action shortly after to give the Wallabies a huge 63-16 lead, though the hosts gave their fans something to cheer about with two unanswered tries through Amanaki Mafi and Kazuki Himino.
