apan’s wing Kotaro Matsushima runs to score a tryduring the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Japan and Russia at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on September 20, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
Matsushima scores Japan’s first Rugby World Cup hat-trick [video]
Born in Pretoria to a Japanese father and a Zimbabwean mother, Kotaro Matsushima has become the first man to score a Rugby World Cup hat-trick for Japan.
apan’s wing Kotaro Matsushima runs to score a tryduring the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Japan and Russia at the Tokyo Stadium in Tokyo on September 20, 2019. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)
South African-born Japan winger Kotaro Matsushima became the first man to score a Rugby World Cup hat-trick in the hosts opening game of the 2019 tournament.
Russia took a surprise lead early on after Japan fullback Williams Tupou spilled a high ball and Kirill Golosnitskiy was on hand to finish off.
Matsushima would be the vehicle for the hosts to reassert themselves onto the contest. The wing who spent time with the Sharks academy has been in tremendous try-scoring form of late. He has scored nine tries in his last seven Tests.
Matsushima powers the comeback
A sublime offload from Timothy Lafaele set up Matsushima to get Japan on the board before the TMO denied him a second moments later.
After struggling in the early going against a determined Russian team the Japan team’s superior fitness came into play.
Watch Russia score the first Rugby World Cup 2019 try
Russia were pressed to hold onto a 7-5 lead late in the first half but couldn’t keep Matsushima out from short range in the 39th minute. Japan would take a 12-7 lead into the break.
Lappies Labuschagne got on the board, continuing the South African influence on Japanese Rugby.
Matsushima scored the 62nd Rugby World Cup hat-trick in the second half as the game opened up.
A poor kick allowed Japan to find space out wide but Matsushima had plenty to do, breaking a tackle and sprinting forty metres to score his third.
Matsushima sealed the bonus point for Japan with his third and the Brave Blossom’s fourth that helped the hosts establish a 20 point lead. The extra point could prove vital for Japan, who desperately want to progress to the last eight in front of their fans.
Japan witheld a late Russian onslaught to record a 30-10 victory over Russia and begin their Rugby World Cup with a bonus point win.
After winning the man of the match award Matsushima thanked the forwards who he credits with doing the hard work for his scores.
“Thank you very much. Most of the job was from the forward so I really appreciate the three tries.”
As to whether he thought he had scored the disallowed try Matsushima grinned and said “maybe just a fingertip.”
The wing identified the need for Japan to tighten up against the kick with matches against stiffer opposition to follow for the Brave Blossoms.
