Japan defeated Uruguay 30-8 in their World Cup warm-up game on Saturday, while the USA beat Canada 41-23.
The Brave Blossoms outscored Uruguay three tries to one in Fukuoka to snap a four-match losing streak. Eighthman Hendrik Tui bagged two of the tries with Shota Horie scoring the third. Fullback Ayumy Goromaru negotiated all the conversions and nailed three penalty goals for a 15-point haul.
Jeronimo Etcheverry was on the end of the final pass for Uruguay’s only try. Flyhalf Felipe Berchesi missed the conversion, but added a penalty afterwards.
In Ottawa, hosts Canada slumped to a 41-23 defeat against their neighbours, the USA.
Five converted tries by Cam Dolan, Greg Petersen, Drew Durutalo, Mike Petri and Andre Suniula, coupled with two penalty kicks, were enough to hand the Eagles a victory. Ill discipline also contributed to Canada’s stifled attack, as both Nanyak Dala and Phil Mack were yellow-carded.
Elsewhere, Romania suffered an unimpressive 31-16 loss against Scottish club side Edinburgh at the Greenyards on Saturday.
Winning captain Roddy Grant scored a hat-trick, while Cornell du Preez and Jade Te Rure chipped in with a try apiece.
Romania’s scrummaging prowess paid off in the second half when winger Adrian Apostle went over the tryline from a tighthead. The conversion and two further penalties were successful, but that’s as good as it got for the Oaks.
Japan (30) – Tries: Hendrik Tui (2), Shota Horie. Conversions: Ayumu Goromaru (3). Penalties: Goromaru (3).
Uruguay (8) – Try: Jeronimo Etcheverry. Penalty: Felipe Berchesi.
Canada (23) – Tries: Nick Blevins, Aaron Carpenter, Taylor Paris. Conversion: Nathan Hirayama. Penalty: Gordon McRorie. Drop goal: Hirayama.
USA (41) – Tries: Cam Dolan, Greg Petersen, Drew Durutalo, Mike Petri, Andre Suniula. Conversions: Alan MacGinty (5). Penalties: MacGinty (2).
Edinburgh (31) – Tries: Roddy Grant (3), Jade Te Rure, Cornell du Preez. Conversions: Te Rure (2),
Romania (16) – Try: Adrian Apostol. Conversion: Dan Dumbrava. Penalties: Dumbrava, Florin Vlaicu (2).
Photo: Jiji Press/Gallo Images
