Japan have survived a spirited effort from the Australian Barbarians to secure a 24-10 victory at Wests Rugby Club.
The Sakura Fifteen outclassed the make-shift side in the four-tries-to-two win, proving ideal preparation for Tuesday’s clash with the Wallaroos.
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Flanker Kyoko Hosokawa opened the scoring for the Japanese, taking the defensive line on from the ruck as she broke three tackles to score.
Whilst the Barbarians struggled for continuity, it was their scrum keeping them in the contest as they bullied their opposition in the first half.
Brumbies duo Grace Kemp and Lilyann Mason-Spice did their Wallaroos chances no harm as they tried to will them back into the contest, stopped by some great scrambling defence.
Japan number eight Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave gifted them a 12-0 lead at the break, proving unstoppable from the 5 metre scrum as she crashed over.
Needing a response after the break, it was her opposite number Kemp that sparked the Barbarians into action.
The Brumby bulldozed her way through half a dozen defenders before being brought down just before the line, with Waratahs standout Tatum Bird darting over from the next phase.
The tireless workrate from loosehead prop Hinata Komaki was rewarded for Japan, picking and going on three straight occasions, with the final effort catching the defenders off guard as she went over untouched to restore the lead.
Fullback Mason-Spice used the penalty advantage to great use four minutes later, producing a near-perfect cross-field kick, forcing a mistake as Melanie Wilks touched down to reduce the margin to seven with 20 minutes to go.
With the game on the line, captain Misaki Suzaki stepped up when needed, charging over the line to secure the victory.
It gives Japan their second win in a week after they held off Fijiana, looking to continue their strong form against the Wallaroos on Tuesday
JAPAN 24
TRIES: Bogidraumainadave, Hosokawa, Komaki
CONS: Yasuo 1/2 Imakugi 1/2
AUSTRALIAN BARBARIANS 10
TRIES: Bird, Wilks
CONS: Smith 0/2
Barbarians (1-15): Janita Kareta, Tania Nadeen, Faliki Pohiva, Annabelle Codey, Tiarah Minns, Tamika Jones, Mel Kawa (c), Grace Kemp, Tatum Bird, Renae Nona, Melanie Wilks, Siokapesi Palu, Cecilia Smith, Ellie Draper, Lilyann Mason-Spice
Replacements: Tasmin Sheppard, Emily Robinson, Theresa Soloai, Ash Fernandez, Tangata Tupou, Sarah Lewis, Teliya Hetaraka, Caity Costello
Japan (1-15): Hinata Komaki, Asuka Kuge, Yuka Sadaka, Maki Takano, Otoka Yoshimura, Misaki Suzuki (c), Kyoko Hosokawa, Mateitoga Bogidraumainadave, Moe Tsukui, Kotono Yasuo, Komachi Imakugi, Riho Kurogi, Sora Nishimura, Mikasa Isogai, Ayasa Otsuka
Replacements: Makoto Laemai, Mei Jizodo, Mio Nishimura, Kie Tamai, Iroha Nagata, Sakurako Hatada, Sora Konishi, Yuki Ito
