Matsunaga's 17-point haul steers Japan past Italy in Nations Championship opener

Fullback Takuro Matsunaga delivered a 17-point individual performance as Japan opened the inaugural Nations Championship with a 27-10 victory over Italy at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium on Saturday, with the Azzurri’s 17 handling errors proving a decisive factor in their defeat.

Italy made the brighter start, with outside centre Juan Ignacio Brex racing through a gap to score in the fifth minute after a sharp break from Tommaso Menoncello set up the platform. Fly-half Paolo Garbisi’s kicking game also kept Japan pinned inside their own half in the early exchanges.

The Brave Blossoms responded quickly. Captain Warner Dearns burrowed over for Japan’s first try in the competition, and Matsunaga levelled with the conversion before adding a try of his own in the 16th minute — finishing off a break and draw-and-pass from inside centre Yuya Hirose before converting again. A Matsunaga penalty in the 24th minute stretched the lead to 10, with Garbisi’s penalty just before half-time reducing the deficit to seven at the break.

Japan came out sharply after the interval, with blindside flanker Ben Gunter powering over from close range to extend the lead to 14. Italy dominated possession between the 52nd and 62nd minutes — holding the ball for nearly 90 per cent of that period — but could not convert their territorial advantage into points. Matsunaga slotted a further penalty to push Japan 17 clear, and the hosts managed the closing stages efficiently to seal the result.

By the 71st minute, Italy had made 17 handling errors to Japan’s four, a statistic that encapsulated the contest. Despite controlling large portions of possession and territory, the Azzurri were unable to capitalise, while Japan were clinical whenever opportunities arose.

Japan now travel to Australia to face Ireland in Newcastle next week.