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Fiji grind out win in Tokyo
Fiji fought back from a 9-3 half time deficit to beat rapidly improving Japan 24-12 at the National Stadium in Tokyo, so denying their hosts a second successive victory after their defeat of Tonga last weekend.
James Aldridge's three first half penalties sent the home side in with a six-point cushion, but the islanders hit back with three tries in the second half through Sireli Nagelevuki, Taniela Rawaqa and Vereniki Goneva to silence the large home crowd.
Rawaqa converted all three tries and added a penalty as Fiji reaped the benefits of playing a more patient game in the second half, the pressure forcing Japan into errors with two of the tries coming as a result of Japanese errors.
"We threw the game away through errors and turnovers," said Japan coach John Kirwan. "We had ample opportunity to win today but threw the game away with errors."
Japan captain Takuro Miuchi added: "In the first half we played to our game plan, but in the second half Fiji were getting their hands on the ball at the breakdown and stopped us from getting quick ball. It was a game we should have won."
Fiji next plays Australia A in Brisbane next week, while Japan travel abroad for the first time in the 2008 competition to face New Zealand Maori in Napier.
Japan
Penalties: James Arlidge (4)
Fiji
Tries: Sireli Nagelevuki, Taniela Rawaqa, Vereniki Goneva
Conversions: Taniela Rawaqa (3)
Penalty: Taniela Rawaqa
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