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Japan vs Fiji result: Volavola penalties hand Fiji 34-28 win over Eddie Jones's side

Two second-half penalties from replacement Ben Volavola settled a six-try first half in Tokyo, and Fiji got their revenge for last month's Pacific Nations Cup final.

Follow-up to Fiji vs Japan in Tokyo is Jake White's first Test as Fiji coach

By RuckBee Newsroom1 min read
Two coaches shake hands in front of celebrating Fiji players in white kit, with a Tokyo skyline and lantern-lit street behind.
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Jake White's first match in charge of Fiji ended in a 34-28 win over Japan in Tokyo on Saturday 24 October. On the other side was Eddie Jones, the coach who once worked under him.

The two men go back a long way. White, 62, coached South Africa to the 2007 World Cup title, and the Australian Jones was his technical adviser on that campaign. White later coached teams in Australia, France and Japan, and was given the Fiji job this month.

The result also turned around the last meeting between the sides. A month earlier Japan beat Fiji 20-15 in the Pacific Nations Cup final, also in Tokyo, which was the backdrop to our preview of White's first Test as Fiji coach.

A frantic first half

The match marked the Japan Rugby Football Union's 100th anniversary, and Japan wore special white commemorative jerseys for it. They went ahead in the fourth minute when Naoto Saito scored.

Each side scored three tries before half-time. Kitione Salawa crossed for Fiji, and captain Tevita Ikanivere and Tuidraki Samusamuvodre also scored in the first half. Japan captain Warner Dearns scored two tries in the match, and the lead changed hands several times.

Fiji lost Motikai Murray to a yellow card in the 35th minute, and Japan's Faulua Makisi scored straight away. The card was later upgraded to a red.

Volavola settles it

Terio Tamani's try four minutes into the second half put Fiji back in front. The difference in the end was two penalties from replacement Ben Volavola after the break.

Both teams were using the game as preparation for their Nations Championship tours to Europe in November. Japan will play Wales, England and Scotland. White's Fiji face France, Ireland and Italy.

Sources

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