Japan clobbers Phl Volcanoes; HK wins

MANILA, Philippines - Japan gave the Philippines a reminder that they were now in the big time Saturday as the five-time HSBC Asian 5 Nations champions ran in 18 tries in a 121-0 win to get their 2013 campaign in the Asian Five Nations rugby union Elite Division off to a flying start.

In the day’s second match, Hong Kong posted a fitful 53-7 win over the United Arab Emirates at the Hong Kong Football Club.

The Filipinos will next fight Hong Kong at the Rizal Memorial field on May 4, looking for a win in the five-team field to stay in the Elite Division.

After Hong Kong they meet South Korea  on May 11 and United Arab Emirates on May 18.

Defying the conditions at a cold and wet Level 5 Stadium, the Brave Blossoms secured their 21st straight bonus-point win in the competition in a game that also served as a qualifier for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Thirteen different players touched down for the Brave Blossoms – including the four debutants – as Japan’s power and speed proved too much for the Volcanoes.

“It was a good performance first up,” said Japan coach Eddie Jones. “But it’s always difficult to tell given the quality of the opposition. We have been working on getting physically stronger and you saw a little of that today.”

The winning score was the biggest ever in the history of the tournament, the third highest score ever recorded by Japan and the fourth highest in a World Cup qualifier.

“Japan is the benchmark in Asian rugby and showed us what it takes to be at that level,” said Volcanoes coach Jarred Hodges. “They were too big, too strong and too fast.”