White makes winning start as Fiji edge Eddie Jones's Japan / Photo: Valentine CHAPUIS - AFP
White makes winning start as Fiji edge Eddie Jones's Japan
Fiji edged Japan 34-28 in Tokyo on Saturday to give new coach Jake White a winning start in his reunion with Eddie Jones, less than a year until the World Cup.
The 62-year-old White led his native South Africa to World Cup glory in 2007 and went on to coach teams in Australia, France and Japan before being handed the Fiji job this month.
His new side came out on top against Jones's Japan in a roller-coaster game in the rain.
The Australian Jones was White's technical adviser for South Africa's World Cup win.
Japan and Fiji each scored three first-half tries, before visiting substitute Ben Volavola made the difference with two penalties after the break.
The two sides had met in the Pacific Nations Cup final in Tokyo a month earlier, with Japan winning 20-15.
Saturday's game served as a warm-up for Japan and Fiji's trips to Europe next month for the Nations Championship.
Japan will play Wales, England and Scotland, while Fiji will take on France, Ireland and Italy.
The game was being played to mark the 100th anniversary of the Japan Rugby Football Union.
Japan, wearing special white commemorative shirts, made the perfect start when Naoto Saito scurried over the line for a fourth-minute try.
Fiji hit back just over five minutes later through Kitione Salawa, then took the lead when captain Tevita Ikanivere touched down after a counterattack.
Japan captain Warner Dearns rampaged over the line to even the scores, but Fiji regained the lead when Tuidraki Samusamuvodre pounced on a mistake in the Japan defence.
Fiji were temporarily reduced to 14 men when Motikai Murray was yellow-carded in the 35th minute and Japan took advantage immediately with a try from Faulua Makisi.
Murray's yellow card was later upgraded to a red but Fiji regained their lead when Terio Tamani scored four minutes into the second half.
Japan hit back with another Dearns try but Volavola stayed cool to edge Fiji back ahead for good.
U.Bakr--al-Hayat
