Japan stun Canada with half-time turnaround

Canada’s Harry Jones comes up against a Japanese roadblock in the shape of Shota Horie. Photo: Getty Images

Japan overcame a 16-point half-time deficit to defeat Canada 34-25 in the opening round of the Pacific Nations Cup.

Led by the boot of Ayumu Goromaru, Japan scored 25 unanswered points in the second-half as they extended their winning streak to eight games.

Goromaru landed five penalties and two conversions for a personal tally of 19 points, while Japan scored three tries thanks to Yoshikazu Fujita, Yu Tamura and Hendrik Tui.

Tonga snatch draw in Samoa

Josh Afu scored a try against Samoa. Photo: Planet Rugby

Underdogs Tonga snatched an 18-18 draw in injury time against Samoa to launch the Pacific Nations Cup tournament in dramatic fashion in Apia on Saturday.

The clock had ticked a minute past full-time with Manu Samoa clinging to an 18-15 lead when Tongan lock Josh Afu was pulled down in a line-out.

Referee Wayne Barnes had no hesitation awarding the penalty and Tongan replacement back Fangatapu Apikotoa calmly slotted the difficult 40-metre shot at goal.

Before a capacity crowd of more than 14,000, Samoa – ranked ninth in the world, four places higher than Tonga – were expected to produce a much improved performance from when they were humbled 33-14 by Japan last month.

But the injection of their senior professionals from Europe, who were absent in Tokyo, did little to lift their game and the crowd was silenced in the 21st minute when Tonga’s right winger, Otulea Katoa scooted over to score the first try of the match.

Top 14 clubs to stay in Heineken Cup

Racing Metro owner Jackie Lorenzetti stormed out of the meeting. Photo: Planet Rugby

The future of the Rugby Champions Cup appears to be in serious doubt after the Ligue Nationale de Rugby sided with the FFR on Thursday.

France’s Top 14 clubs (represented by the LNR) will now take part in the newly-formatted Heineken Cup next season, rather than in the breakaway RCC competition announced by Premiership Rugby representing the English clubs earlier this year, according to reports.

The decision was made following a vote by the representatives of the 14 clubs with the FFR at a meeting outside Paris, with Racing Métro owner Jacky Lorenzetti reportedly storming out following the outcome according to RugbyRama.

Nalaga brace helps Clermont win

Nalaga and Clermont players celebrate after one of his tries. Photo: Planet Rugby

A brace from Fijian winger Naipolioni Nalaga guided Clermont to a 40-11 victory over Bordeaux-Begles on Sunday.

The visitors conceded an impressive five yellow cards – including four within 16 minutes in the second half – as their best efforts were compounded by a lack of numbers on the field.

Clermont showed no mercy but were caught out early on by a try from fly-half Romain Lonca, taking on an offload from Jefferson Poirot after Clermont were caught napping defensively.

Fijian trio chilling in the South

On a blustery, icy-cold day at the Les George Oval, near Invercargill, it can be uncomfortable for the Stags’ Fijian trio as they go about enhancing their rugby skills.

The single-digit temperatures are a far cry from the 30-degree heat and 80-odd per cent humidity they were used to when playing and training in their homeland.

Wallabies success needed for new golden age

2013 matchup

This is an opinion piece by former Wallaby Mathew Burke on the upcoming British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in June. Burke is a columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald.

I’m sensing the vibe is a little different for this series against the British and Irish Lions compared with 2001.

Force axe wayward Alfie Mafi

The Force has parted ways with Alfie Mafi. Photo: Getty Images

The Western Force have parted ways with star winger Alfie Mafi citing a number of disciplinary breaches by the 24-year-old at the Perth-based Super Rugby franchise.

Mafi thrust himself into Wallabies calculations earlier this year when scoring five tries from his first six games of the season.

But wayward off-field behaviour has cost him his place in the squad, with the Force releasing Mafi on Sunday due to “a number of infringements of team standards and disciplinary indiscretions”.

RugbyWA chief executive Mark Sinderberry said the Force’s strong focus on its standards meant it was the right decision to release Mafi.

Rampant Waratahs put 70 past Kings

Cam Crawford scores one of his three tries. Photo: Planet Rugby

The Waratahs gave the Kings an almighty hiding on Saturday, scoring eleven tries to win 72-10 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

The Waratahs dominated from start to finish, charging to a 46-10 lead at half-time.

The visitors had the four-try bonus point secured inside the first 20 minutes and had touched down seven times – including a hat-trick from winger Cam Crawford – by the interval.

The hosts only reply came just before the break from teenage wing Sergeal Petersen, while Demetri Catrakilis added a conversion and a penalty.

Brumbies trampled by Crusaders

Dan Carter . . . impressive

The Crusaders scored a key win over the Brumbies on Sunday, prevailing 30-23 with a workmanlike performance that has kick-started their campaign.

With both teams having a bye next weekend, this result was always going to be key in terms of whether they had a positive spell off the field.

And inspired by the returning Dan Carter, it was the Crusaders who won the contest as solid breakdown work combined with the Brumbies struggling for momentum against a strong defence saw the visitors get the four points.

Japan and Hong Kong victorious in A5N

Pale Tauti scores a try for Hong Kong in Manila. Photo: IRB

Japan have all but wrapped up a sixth successive HSBC Asian 5 Nations title after beating Korea 64-5 at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, their 23rd successive bonus point win in the competition.

The Brave Blossoms will finish their campaign against the United Arab Emirates in Dubai next weekend with coach Eddie Jones set to field a number of young players.