Opportunity goes begging for young Reds
For the second time this week Japan have claimed a quinella when up against much more fancied opponents. The Australian competitors could only manage 3rd as the Queensland reds were completely and hopelessly overrun by their less experienced Japanese counterparts. The game did not start well for the hapless Queenslanders, who due to problems with their team bus, only arrived at the ground at half time. The Japanese officials delayed the start as long as possible, but the partisan crowd, which included members of the Japanese royal family, were impatient for some action. In the interest of safety and keeping the royal happy, an adhoc Japanese 2nd XV took the field in place of the Reds.
The first half provided a crowd pleasing confrontation as member of the 2nd XV made the most of their opportunity to stake their claim to a 1st XV role. Takuro Miuchi the Cherry Blossoms number 8 crossed early in the game to open the scoring for the 1st XV taking the score to 7-0 after the successful conversion. It did not take long for the 2nd XV to fight back with Takuro Miuchi opposite number, Yuya Saito, crossing twice in quick succession at the 14th and 16th minute mark.
The game looked likely to go into the 2nd half with the 2nd XV holding their 14-7 lead until halfback Keisuke Sawaki made an incisive run from the base of the scrum standing up three defenders before putting Hajime Kiso over for a try, restoring some respect to the score line to bring the 1st XV within 2 points.
It is reported that Prince Akishino was so insulted (The Imperial House recognizes one hundred and twenty-five legitimate monarchs since the accession of Emperor Jimmu [traditionally dated to February 11, 660 BC] and was incensed that such an insult had not occurred in all that time) that with the arrival of the ill-prepared QLD Reds it was decreed that 2 more halves of rugby would be played with the Reds first taking on the 1st XV and then the 2nd XV after that.
Queensland's lack of preparation was obvious from the kickoff with captain John Roe knocking on from the starting kick. From the ensuing scrum, fullback Go Aruga (who follows in the footsteps of his father Ken, who won nine caps for Japan in the 1970's) ran in off a well-executed back line move.
The half continued in much the same way with Queensland committing mistake after mistake give Japan the glut of possession. Things only got worse for the Queenslanders when a stray kick from the boot of the Reds new recruit Clinton Schifcofske sailed into the crowd and nearly caused and international incident when it fell perilously close to the baby Prince Hisahito, the long awaited male heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The sole try for the Japanese first team was enough to secure the victory. The Reds made a much better showing in the second game with numerous youngsters impressing. AJ Gilbert who came on for the mistake ridden Roe was tenacious at the breakdown often securing opposition ball. Caleb Brown was also influential making a number of line breaks and scoring Queensland’s only try of the tour.
Unfortunately ill discipline from the Reds and the reliable boot of young Japanese fly half, Erumortu San, booting the 2nd XV to a 18-5 victory.
New Queensland coach Eddie Jones was far from impressed with the decisions of the officials in starting the game with out his team and to decline them of a proper preparation. “It has been unfortunate that the officials deemed it necessary to proceed with the game with out us”. Jones also question the chance of any future tours to Japan “despite the results I am very proud of the way that the team performed under these comical conditions, it was a debacle… Queensland rugby must seriously look in to the merit in touring here if our player are going to be forced to play in circumstances like those of tonight”
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