Big win for Brave Blossoms

Japan beat Canada 46-8 in Sendai on Saturday, the first of the Tests in the two-Test series and Japan's biggest win over Canada ever in over 70 years of matches between the two countries.

In a strong wind at Yurtec Stadium, Japan dominated possession and territory and from a penalty assisted line-out Michael Leitch scored from the maul. 5-0 after 8 minutes.

James Pritchard, Canada's Australian-born, England-based full back goaled a penalty but Shaun Webb responded with two for Japan.

Hirotoki Onozawa was close when he intercepted and ran 40 metres till forced out near the corner.

Just before half-time Japan won a tighthead at a scrum five metres from the Canadian line and captain and No.8 Takashi Kikutani went over for a try which Webb converted. There was still time for Japan to score again when Japan countered off a turnover and Koji Taira raced 40 metres. He was tackled but fullback Go Aruga was up to get possession and score.

Japan led a healthy 25-3 at half-time.

Canada tested Japan's defence in the second half till centre Alisis Tupuailei kicked, chased and scored and then Hirotoki Onozawa dived over for a try and after 52 minutes Japan led 39-3. Newly capped hooker Shota Horie scored Japan's sixth try with eight minutes to play. James Arlidge who "made" the  try converted.

Just before the end wing Justin Mensah-Cocker kicked ahead and Nathan Hirayama scored for Canada.

This outcome augurs well for the second Test and Japan's participation in the World Cup-qualifying Asian 5 Nations.

Scorers:

For Japan:
Tries: Leitch, Kikutani, Aruga, Tupuailei, Onozawa, Horie
Cons: Webb 2, Arlidge
Pens: Webb

For Canada:
Try: Hirayama
Pen: Pritchard

Teams

Canada: 15 James Pritchard, 14 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Matt Evans, Bryn Keys, 11 Justin Mensah-Coker, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Phil Mack, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Adam Kleeberger, 6 Chauncey O'Toole, 5 Tyler Hotson, 4 Josh Jackson, 3 Dan Pletch, 2 Pat Riordan Captain, 1 Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
Replacements: 16 Mike Pletch, 17 Doug Wooldridge, 18 Jebb Sinclair, 19 Nanyak Dala, 20 Sean White, 21 Sean Duke, 22 Nathan Hirayama

Coaches: Kieran Crowley, John Tait

Japan: 15 Go Aruga, 14 Kosuke Endo, 13 Koji Taira, 12 Ryan Nicholas, 11 Hirotoki Onozawa, 10 Shaun Webb, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka/Tomoki Yoshida, 8 Takashi Kikutani (captain), 7 Phil O’Reilly, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Hitoshi Ono, 4 Toshizumi Kitagawa, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Naoki Kawamata.
Replacements: 16 , 17 , 18 Daniel Quate, 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Tomoki Yoshida/Yuki Yatomi, 21 James Arlidge, 22 Alisi Tupuailei

Coach: John Kirwan

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Vinny Munro (New Zealand), Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan)
Assessor: Scott Young (Australia)