Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Japan vs Italy rugby produced a strong opening statement from the Brave Blossoms, who beat Italy 27-10 in their Nations Championship Test in front of a sold-out Tokyo crowd on Saturday night.
Japan scored three tries to one and controlled long spells of territory and possession, making a sharp start to the new competition after a difficult recent run in international rugby.
The result arrived on the same Nations Championship weekend as another major Test, with the Wallabies falling late against Ireland in Sydney.
Japan Start Fast After Early Setback
Italy struck first in the fifth minute when outside centre Juan Ignacio Brex cut through the Japanese defensive line with a sharp angled run.
Japan answered six minutes later through captain Warner Dearns, who powered over after a series of forward carries close to the line.
The Brave Blossoms then took control through smarter kicking from their halfbacks, repeatedly forcing Italy to start attacks from deep inside their own half.
Brave Blossoms Punish Italian Errors
Japan’s second try came in the 17th minute when inside centre Yuya Hirose broke the line and found fullback Takuro Matsunaga in support.
That passage summed up Japan’s attacking improvement. They mixed direct running with better support lines and kept Italy’s defence under pressure.
Italy’s forwards did have moments of strength, especially through mauls near the Japanese five-metre line, but the Azzurri backs never found a steady rhythm.
Their unforced errors stopped them from building pressure, despite the form that had helped them beat England and Scotland in the Six Nations earlier this year.
Gunter Seals Japan’s Control
Japan’s third try arrived in the 47th minute after more than 15 phases of pressure, with flanker Ben Gunter forcing his way over.
It was the kind of patient attacking sequence that showed Japan’s growing confidence. The crowd stayed loud as the Brave Blossoms kept pushing until the final whistle.
Official tournament updates are available through World Rugby.
What The Result Means
The win gives Japan a bright start in the 12-team Nations Championship, which features three fixtures this month, three more in November and a finals weekend in London.
Head coach Eddie Jones was barred from attending the match after verbally abusing officials in Australia earlier this year, but Japan still delivered one of their cleaner performances of recent times.