Junior All Blacks 52-21 Japan: New Zealand’s Junior All Blacks kept up their unbeaten start to this year’s tournament with a third victory, this time against John Kirwan’s improving Japanese side, 52-21.
Having trailed 40-0 at half time, the Japanese will take huge confidence from winning the second half 21-12, but overall the young New Zealanders were far too strong.
Wing Hosea Gear scored two tries on the day to take his personal tally to five for the tournament, the leading mark.
The JABs showed irresistible form in the first half, scoring six unanswered tries. Giant Wellington backrower Victor Vito opened the scoring on 11 minutes and added a second later in a half that also produced tries for Gear, Colin Slade, Craig Clarke and Sione Lauaki.
Trailing 40-0, Japan were far more resolute after the break and scored three converted tries of their own through Hitoshi Ono, Jack Tarranta and Koji Taira as the New Zealanders made a raft of substitutions.
The kiwis soon rediscovered their scoring touch, however, and registered two more through Lauaki and Gear to make the final score 52-21.
Tags: comeback, gear, kirwan, lauaki, ono, slade, taira, vito
