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Japan

Good to see International Rugby back for  the final leg of 2024 up North of the world that began with the All Blacks taking on the Brave Blossoms (Japan) at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama. 

It was a close contest over the first few minutes when Japan unexpectedly had the early lead thanks to a TRY from Jone Naikabula but for the most part though, the ABs showed off what they can do best as they were too good all along from start to finish. 

They were leading by 31 points (12-43) at half-time before the ABs stretched their lead way further through half-century towards the end with the win by 45 points (19-64). Now it’s up to the ABs to make the most out of their European tour as their next game will be against England next weekend at London’s iconic Twickenham rugby venue – now known as England’s Allianz Stadium.

The man of the moment belongs to first-time All Blacks skipper Patrick Tuipulotu following his A-game performance tonight on the second row 5. He’s got all sorts of power to outmuscle the Brave Blossoms every time Japan tried to score one over the TRY line defensively while he’s well proven with the ball on hand – he’s been there & done that by scoring one over (by himself) and several more set-up tries for the ABs. He knows what it takes to win a Super Rugby Final & he wants to make sure that not all of the ABs best talent is lost when going up v the North’s best over the next couple weeks from next weekend.

Next up, here comes Ruben Love who was unreal on his All Blacks debut as the reserve back 23 with back-to-back late tries. He proved his worth throughout the first half year with the Hurricanes when they were mostly unbeaten up until the home semis defeat by the Chiefs while he could’ve been fast-tracked to the ABs sooner much like a few other first-time impact stars. But hey, he’s ready to do more damage as that next big challenge will come to him soon enough v the Northern Hemisphere’s best sides starting next weekend – let’s see if can fulfil his SR potential for the ABs there over in Europe.

And Japanese half-back Shinobu Fujiwara has been sensational off the back of the Brave Blossoms’ brilliant early start v the ABs. Every time Japan launches on the counter-attack, he’s been so destructive – despite not being so tall – where he’s got the players around him to help get the job done like that quick ball pass, and the tries were to there to see. Yes, he may have only played for Japan a few times while he was up against a team that is always so dominant. But glad he made a name for himself with he experience he picked up against veteran overseas players in the Top League – more to come.

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It was a brilliant contest to wrap up one of the two morning’s Field Hockey Olympic matches in Pool A between Germany v Japan at Stade Yves-Du-Manoir (Pitch 2). Japan were brilliant defensively while they had some moments up front off the back of Germany’s endless scoring attempts. But at the end of the day, it was the Germans who got away with the two-goal win – even though things were really scrappy for the most part despite leading 1-0 until they’ve finally added the 2nd goal within the last 15 mins of play.

Well done to Germany with their dominant possession every time they put the Japanese under pressure all over the pitch including the attacking third while they weren’t bad in defense as well. Yes, their finishing has been frustratingly poor at times which is something they need to watch out in their upcoming games. But they found the net though twice where it was enough to shut Japan down for the win – one via open play in the first 15 and another off a penalty corner during the 4th and last 15. Gotta credit the experienced No.4 Nike Lorenz and No.12 Charlotte Stapenhorst whom they both love to take cruise control with the ball by scoring goals into the net; They just need to have more ball within the middle of the circle and goals will come Germany’s way as a decent 3-0 or 4-0 win will do it for Germany’s female Field Hockey Olympic team campaign.

Meanwhile, Japan wasn’t bad on the pitch for the most part thanks to their basic solid defense & that star-stopping goalkeeper to stop the Germans in its tracks that greatly benefitted the opposition’s endless missed goal attempts at their own end. It gave them several opportunities for the Japanese to try and get the job done through the break on the counter-attack but then they lacked the finishing touches in the attacking third, especially when being isolated with a lack of numbers there. We’ve seen that struggle from Japan before when they’ve played v Hockeyroos during the opening April Perth tour game earlier this year. Although they’ve tried their best to hold them back at the last attempt like it was one today, but then Japan just simply couldn’t find a way to press the German defense and their goal keeper where a draw would be enough but an outside win would be even better if their finishing came back better than Germany.

Speaking of the April tri-series tour rivalry, we got China taking on Japan once again this time at a Olympic-level match tomorrow night at 6.30pm AEST before Germany will be back in the early hours of Tuesday morning v the high-flying Netherlands team at 3.45am AEST.

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Also earlier tonight over in Perth in between 19 minutes and 9km each from tonight’s Western Force v Crusaders clash at HBF Park is Game 1 of the Perth International Festival of Hockey women’s tri-series between the Hockeyroos v Japan at Perth Hockey Stadium within Curtin University. It was a tough contest to say with Hockeyroos making the most chances in attack and shot on goal while Japan have been solid as a rock at the back defensively where we didn’t have a score at all for nearly the whole time through the four quarters of play. There’s no penalty shootout nor a VAR referral if the game went quiet without a goal or equaliser just for series since the games were arranged as an extra Olympics preparation a few weeks ago.

But in the end, the Hockeyroos were relieved to escape Japan unscathed with the 1-0 win and there’s one person who made such a difference to put inside the net is forward Mariah Williams. She too have intercepted the Japanese’s play at the back under pressure while trying to settle the score as it is before Mariah smacked the ball just within the cricle from the wide left like a rocket and there goes the one and only goal with only 55 seconds left to go – how good!! Gotta say she’s a game changer like she did at the World Cup two years ago in Spain v the exact same opponent during the opening game which was quite a coincidence & sure she will do the same again that would be handy in the next upcoming games including China tomorrow. Hats off to Steph Kershaw who also made a difference linking up with the forwards to provide the best attacking opportunities including penalty corners as well even though it wasn’t easy to get the job done v the scrambled Japan backline.

And speaking of Japan, they were oh so good defensively – who were well aware and alert of the Hockeyroos’ dangerous forwards – having seen the keeper saving a few while being able to stop them in its tracks that left them frustrated without a goal for the majority. Although they were unlucky to lose the ball at their own end which led to Mariah’s late winning strike, but they would’ve liked to match the opposition attackers though when it comes to trying to get themselves towards getting shots on goal more often and that is something Japan needs to work on in their next game v China for Game 3 on Tuesday.

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And here’s another brilliant game to start the Day 1 of the 2024 Australian Open between 9th seed Barbora Krejcikova from Czech Republic & Japan’s Mai Hontama at Margaret Court Arena. Hontama fired off really well with an easy opening set lead by surprise before Krejcikova turned herself around when not only she won the 2nd set but made good use of medical time out break in the decider en route towards a two-set victory in the end there after two & 1/2 hours – 6-2, 6-4 & 6-3.

Oh so close from Hontama where it’s not been easy facing a Top 10 seeded player like Krejcikova & she has done great under pressure to stay ahead, having got away with the early lead after the opening set’s play. She just couldn’t find the finish line unfortunately off the back from the Czech’s fight back that went on & on until Hontama was eliminated early from the tournament. Let’s hope she can kick on throughout the year as this is her first grand slam here other than Wimbledon whose best finish there was 2R in 2022. Looking at Krejcikova now & what a comeback from 1-0 down as well as on the brink of being unexpected kicked out to an opening set win under pressure v Hontama. She would be disappointed regarding the opening set performance to begin with but the Czech has shown lots of fightback that shows her credibility on the court as an established grand slam player in both singles and doubles formats, having won the French Open a few years ago back in 2021. Krejcikova has plenty of catch up to do in a bid to get back in the Finals picture since the 2022 Quarter-Finals here ahead of her next round opponent v Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch after she too got away with a brilliant comeback herself, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

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Great to see Folau Faingaa perform well in all areas for the Wallabies this afternoon who usually provides the throw-ins at hooker, he has a lot of physical presence on offer especially during the 2nd half where he contributed a lot that safeguarded the team’s win v Japan on their turf.

Not only he sought some help from Taniela Tupou with a brilliant finish but he also assisted again via on the far left & opened some space to Robert Leota, he deserves an early mark through hard work as a starter in the green and gold with plenty of rest & training ahead of November’s three-week European tour.

Next up is Faingaa’s provincial Brumbies team-mate Nic White down at half-back, he too controlled the game with patience who knows where to find someone that can process through the channels & contribute in there with some mobility.

It’s the same thing when he was given responsibilities with the scrum feed & maul, all he had to do is keep them square moving forward while the hooker keeps the ball intact before voila that job is done & he’s such an important part of the green and gold at age 31 having gained experience in Europe before White returned to Canberra last year.

And Ryoto Nakamura stood out for the Brave Blossoms in the inside midfield position who has lots of pace to burn even though they didn’t have enough time to strike an upset, Like how he read well earlier on when Nakamura stepped in to shove Andrew Kellaway having read it well with his lack of numbers which led to a winning penalty + three points via the goal.

Then we fast forward into the 2nd half as Quade Cooper mistimed that offload so wide with gaps in between support players, it’s Nakamara once again who read the situation well via the incercept before he bagged an unbelievable TRY that no one couldn’t stop him & he was a huge part of holding the Wallabies accountable at times today.

#JAPvAUS #Rugby #RugbyUnion #InternationalRugby #Wallabies #BraveBlossoms #RyotoNakamura #FolauFaingaa #NicWhite

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Great day out for the Wallabies in Japan with a brilliant fire off in the first half (14-17) via successful big scores off Tom Wright & Jordan Petaia, now their attacking line wasn’t perfect especially when they lacked numbers & long passes at times which is why Japan was still in the hunt until the very end.

However, they held off Japan to the finish line first where Taniela Tupou & Rob Leota scored their respective tries after half-time before Connal McInerney scored a consolation TRY on debut off the bench with two mins left towards full-time which sealed their win (23-32).

Then we look at the Brave Blossoms who started off slowly but found their ground via the penalty goal followed by a big score where Lomano Lomeki caught well up high from a wonder cross-kick on the wide right before he touched down as they were a few points away (14-17) from the Wallabies at half-time.

Although Japan did their best to stay in contention especially with that lovely intercept TRY from Ryoto Nakamura even though they were 14 men at the time, but they just couldn’t find the time to strike an upset towards the end (23-32) as wholesale changes off the bench didn’t help much either.

Final Score: Japan 23-32 Wallabies

The Wallabies now jet to Europe ahead of their three-week UK tour starting next month beginning with Scotland before they head to England & cap it off in Wales, while Japan will also be in the continent at the same time but will face Ireland, Portgual & Scotland.

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Naomi Osaka and Jennifer Brady had a competitive duel to fire off the Women’s Singles Final of the Australian Open. Brady registered a point having won some break points against her. But Osaka got into the initial halfway mark first 3-1. Brady began to fight back though to halt the opposition 2nd half run. When she tied the lead with Osaka 3-3.

Brady lacked the consistency however after a steady start where she lost the first stage to Osaka 6-4. She had a few opportunities with the advantage having won the deuces. But just unable to get past the patience needed to lock out Osaka. As the 3rd seed from Japan enjoyed an easy ride en route towards the stage 1 win. Naomi only needed one more stage that will help win this championship.

The first start of Stage 2 was too easy from Osaka who pulled off an easy lead 3-0 off Brady. While the 25 year old from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania still unable to find the feel. With the inconsistent 2nd half of Stage 1 carried on here. Brady is three points away from being eliminated. And in reverse from Osaka from almost reaching the finish line. With an unlikely stage two win is her only hope.

From 4-4 during stage 1 by both players to 4-0 in stage 2 puts Osaka in a great position. Brady though finally found the middle ground to put two points back. Having overcame a series of deuce battles. Where Brady began to derail Osaka’s hopes of the championship one by one. Even it means two points behind in this stage. She was almost there to close out Osaka by a point 3-4.

But Brady felt so frustrated with the missed chances to try & make Osaka hard to reach the ball. When she lost back a point 3-5. As Brady is on thin ice to retain her bid to win an unlikely route for the title. Once again Brady is not giving up just yet. She did hold back Osaka with the close reach towards the finish line at the 1st attempt.

Before Osaka held off Brady in the end for the Stage 2 win & Women’s Singles title. Final score is 4-6, 3-6 done in 1 hr & 18 mins.

Jennifer Brady has the ability to build up the foundations needed to keep an eye on Osaka. Plus the fightback needed during late in the 2nd set. Even in a tough situation during the deuces. So she can hold the 3rd seed from Japan back. It is a great sign of never giving up as she wanted this trophy badly. But Brady was unfortunately stalled in the 2nd half of Stage 1. As well as the earlier parts of Stage 2. When the missed chances to execute in return forced to settle as runner-up. Not her night but we wish her good luck.

And Naomi Osaka was outstanding who was side by side with Brady at the start. Then she dominated the last half of the 1st set to lock Brady out. The momentum was there for a while when Osaka continued a healthy lead after the break. Although Osaka began to see some close competition from Brady. Having lost some points that began to delay her title hunt at the first attempt. But Osaka noticed her fightback with the weaknesses she identified. In which Osaka able to stop Brady from closing the lead. Before she just crossed the finish line first with another title on her hands.

What a match. What a night it has been from Rod Laver Arena. 

We cannot wait for Novak Djokovic v Daniil Medvedev for the Men’s Singles final tomorrow.

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