Japan fails in kicking

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33532, 13 May 1974, Page 22

Japan fails in kicking

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN.

Thrilling Rugby at non-stop pace won the applause of 8000 spectators at Carisbrook on Saturday when All Japan was beaten 40-31 by New Zealand Universities.

Each team scored six tries, many brilliant, but the difference was that All Japan failed to convert four, while K. Fawcett converted five for Universities, as well as kicking two penalties. The honours of the day were shared, however, and there was a time when it seemed Japan was going to win when a flanker Y. Izawa, went across for a fine try with only 12 minutes of play left. This brought the score to 31-28 against New Zealand, but the simplest of conversions Was missed. The reverse brought New Zealand to life again and the

side capitalised quickly on a slight slackening for the first time by the Japanese to score twice in quick succession and so seal the game. Even so, Japan, giving away a tremendous amount of weight, finished the game hot on attack and came close to scoring in the dying moments. And Japan, gave the New Zealand forwards a lesson in the scrums, where the side not only packed lower but also, incredibly so, pushed the Universities eight back time and again. The best backs were the Universities' second fiveeigths, D. Faulkner, and the Japanese first five-eighths M. Iguchi, and the full-back Nobuyuki Ueyama. Both sides loose forwards were outstanding, as was the Japanese lock, T. Terai. New Zealand’s tries were scored by H. Blair, H. P. Sapsford, S. Northey, R. Scott and D. Faulkner (2). K. Fawcett converted five and goaled two penalties. For Japan, M. Fujiwara, Y. Murata, T. Ito, T. Ishizaka, N. Ueyama and Y. Izawa scored two of which were converted by Ueyama. The other points came from a dropped goal by M. Iguchi. The match was played on a soft ground, in fine weather.