RWC2011 Pool Match Report: France -v- Japan

AUCKLAND, 10 Sept.- France survived a second-half scare from Japan before sealing a 47-21 victory in their Pool A match at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.

But not before Japan frustrated the French with some dazzling, free-flowing rugby that was superbly orchestrated by their half backs, Fumiaki Tanaka and James Arlidge, with the latter earning all his side's points.

Japan, looking to break a run of 14 RWC games without a victory, the longest in the tournament's history and up against the highest-ranked northern hemisphere side, were run off their feet from the outset. These sides had only met once in this tournament, with France triumphing 51-29 in October 2003 in Townsville, Australia.

France stated their intentions to play at pace from the outset.

It took a brilliant tackle to bring down wing Fabrice Estebanez with the line seemingly at his mercy, but they were soon over through second row Julien Pierre after another sharp move.

Dimitri Yachvili converted and France continued to step on the gas, cruising into a 14-0 lead after 12 minutes when Francois Trinh-Duc intercepted a pass inside his own half and sprinted away for another converted try.

Japan got on the scoreboard with a 17th-minute penalty through fly half Arlidge, the only Japan player to play his rugby abroad.

Although Japan had their moments, Yachvili hit back with two penalties, the last for a scrum infringement to put France 20-3 up after 28 minutes.

But Japan, to their credit, had a sweet moment straight after when the industrious Arlidge regathered his kick through that had rebounded off a France player and beat two defenders to race over.

It was another sharp backline move, finished off by wing Vincent Clerc, that put France 25-8 ahead.

Arlidge added another penalty to have Japan trailing 25-11 at the break.

France maintained the pressure straight after the break and only some dogged defence by Japan prevented them from adding another two tries.

The third official ruled that both Imanol Harinordoguy and second row Lionel Nallet were held up over the line in quick succession.

Japan's never-say-die attitude reaped them their first try after 48 minutes, a sustained drive from well within their own half instigated by scrum half Tanaka.It was brilliantly finished off by Arlidge, who brushed off three defenders to cross by the posts.
Arlidge converted to have all 18 of his side's points and have his side within seven points.

After 58 minutes, he had them within four points, with France penalised virtually in front after failing to release the player in the tackle and leaving Arlidge to land easy pickings.

Japan were guilty of the same offence in the 66th, gifting Yachvili another penalty to edge them into a 28-21 lead.

France breathed a huge sigh of relief when Nallet crossed for their fourth try with 10 minutes left, which was converted by Yachvili.

France rounded off a shaky victory when substitutes Pascal Papé and Morgan Parra crossed.

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