Hard-Knock Chile lose to Japan on 2023 Rugby World Cup debut

Japan six-try wins over Chile 42-12 at Rugby World Cup debutants beaten in Toulouse






Chile impressed on their World Cup bow but Japan pulled away to comfortably win their Pool D opener in Toulouse.

Chile led early on with a Rodrigo Fernandez try but Japan soon seized control to go 21-7 ahead by half-time.

Amato Fakatava's two scores sandwiched Jone Naikabula's effort for Japan, who face England next on 17 September.

Alfonso Escobar reduced Chile's deficit but Michael Leitch secured Japan's bonus point, before Ryoto Nakamura and Warner Dearns completed the scoring.




Rugby World Cup: Japan v Chile


Japan: (21) 42
Tries: Fakatava 2, Naikabula, Leitch, Nakamura, Dearns Cons: Matsuda 6
Chile: (7) 12
Tries: Fernandez, A Escobar Con: Videla




Chile are the 26th nation to play at a Rugby World Cup and the South American side made a dream start with the opening try inside six minutes.

It had appeared a swift break on their right touchline had broken down, but the loose ball landed at the feet of fly-half Fernandez and he kicked through to score.

The Brave Blossoms reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 2019 on home soil and will likely need to beat either England or Argentina to repeat that achievement in France.




What's next for these teams?


It's England up next in Nice on 17 September for Japan. That will be a fascinating match.

Chile are next in action a day earlier, facing Samoa in Bordeaux.







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