TOULOUSE: In an opening match for Pool D, Japan secured a commanding 42-12 victory over the resilient Chilean team, who marked their debut appearance at the Rugby World Cup with an opening try.
Japan took on the role of favorites in the Toulouse heat, using their formidable forward pack to overpower Chile, ultimately scoring six tries, with five of them coming from their forwards. The game began with a surprise as fly-half Rodrigo Fernandez gave the World Cup debutants a shock lead in the sixth minute.
Four years ago in Tokyo, Kotaro Matsushima had been the hat-trick hero as Japan started their tournament with a 30-10 victory over minnows Russia. This time, however, it was Japan’s forwards who dominated the game, although not before Chile had dared to dream of a historic upset.
Chile displayed an early willingness to attack from all areas of the pitch, delighting the large crowd. They were rewarded with the opening try at the start of each half. Chile’s first try came after a dramatic wait for video confirmation, as they nearly squandered a four-on-one break.
Fullback Inaki Ayarza broke through Japan’s wide defense at the halfway line, and scrum-half Marcelo Torrealba attempted to go solo but was stripped in the tackle, with players on either side of him calling for a pass. However, Fernandez, who scored the 2022 world try of the year to secure Chile’s place in the World Cup, followed up and dribbled the ball past the defense to score. After Chile’s initial threat, Japan’s forwards took control as the temperature in Toulouse soared to 32 degrees Celsius.
Japan’s Aggressive Game Against Chile
Japan’s response was swift after Chile’s opening try. Lock Amato Fakatava exploited a significant gap in Chile’s defense and powered in from 10 meters.
The game shifted decisively in Japan’s favor after Chilean prop Matias Dittus received a yellow card for a late tackle in the 24th minute. Japan opted for the Chile goal line, and from a five-meter scrum, center Jone Naikabula took a short pass and powered through three defenders to score.
Chile ended the first half with another player in the sin bin, as captain Martin Sigren received a yellow card in the 36th minute for a high tackle. Japan capitalized on their numerical advantage, and Fakatava smashed through from a lineout maul.
Rikiya Matsuda successfully converted all three of Japan’s first-half tries, giving Japan a 21-7 lead at halftime.
Chile returned from halftime with renewed energy. Japan’s Dylan Riley was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on, and Inaki Ayarza once again unlocked the defense, leading to Alfonso Escobar burrowing over for Chile’s second try.
Japan responded almost immediately, relentlessly pressuring Chile and scoring when Michael Leitch, participating in his fourth World Cup, powered through two tackles to score between the posts.
Japan finished the game strongly, with center Ryoko Nakamura and lock Walter Dearns each adding a try, and Matsuda successfully converting all six tries.
