NEWCASTLE, Australia - Ireland outgunned a determined Japan 36-20 on neutral ground Saturday in Newcastle, Australia, to maintain a perfect start to rugby's Nations Championship.
Coming off an impressive 27-10 win over Italy, world No. 12 Japan were aiming for just their second victory against third-ranked Ireland, who beat Australia 33-31 in their opening match of the newly inaugurated tournament.
Eddie Jones returned to the coach's box for the Brave Blossoms after completing a four-game ban imposed by the Japan Rugby Football Union for verbally abusing local match officials during an under-23 tour of Australia earlier this year.
His team made a promising start when Taira Main scored a stellar solo try in the third minute after intercepting the ball from an overthrown Irish lineout.
Fullback Takuro Matsunaga added the extras before Andy Farrell's men hit back through Nick Timoney, with the first of Ireland's three first-half tries. Matsunaga slotted two penalties to send his side into the break within touching distance, trailing 19-13.
Ireland extended their lead in the second half before a sustained period of pressure from the Brave Blossoms paid off when Hayate Era dived over and Matsunaga converted to cut Japan's deficit to 26-20 in the 59th minute.
A 70th-minute penalty gave the European side breathing room, and they pushed the final margin beyond two converted tries after Tom Stewart went over with a minute left.
Among the positives for Japan was another solid performance by university student flyhalf Ryunosuke Ito, who earned his second cap following a strong debut against Italy.
The Brave Blossoms will host France at Tokyo's MUFG Stadium in a week's time in the third round of the biennial tournament featuring the teams from Europe's Six Nations and the Southern Hemisphere's Rugby Championship, alongside Japan and Fiji.
