Japan 27–10 Italy: match report & highlights

Full-time: Japan 27 – 10 Italy

Japan controlled this Nations Championship encounter against Italy, securing a convincing victory in a match that saw the hosts establish dominance early and maintain their edge throughout. Italy struck first through Juan Ignacio Brex's opening try, which looked to set the tone for a competitive contest. However, Japan responded swiftly and decisively, with Warner Dearns crossing to level matters before Takuro Matsunaga touched down to flip the scoreboard in Japan's favour. Matsunaga's boot proved clinical, converting his own try and adding a penalty to establish a seven-point half-time advantage.

The second half belonged almost entirely to Japan, who extended their control with Ben Gunter crashing over early in the resumption. Matsunaga's conversion stretched the lead further, and though Paolo Garbski's penalty briefly offered Italy hope of a comeback, Japan's discipline and attacking verve proved too much. Matsunaga's closing penalty sealed a comfortable victory that highlighted Japan's superiority across the eighty minutes, particularly in their ability to convert pressure into points when it mattered most.

Key moments

• 67' 67' Penalty: Takuro Matsunaga (Japan) — Japan 27 – 10 Italy
• 48' 48' Conversion: Takuro Matsunaga (Japan) — Japan 24 – 10 Italy
• 47' 47' Try: Ben Gunter (Japan) — Japan 22 – 10 Italy
• 44' 44' Penalty: Paolo Garbisi (Italy) — Japan 17 – 10 Italy
• 25' 25' Penalty: Takuro Matsunaga (Japan) — Japan 17 – 7 Italy
• 17' 17' Conversion: Takuro Matsunaga (Japan) — Japan 14 – 7 Italy
• 17' 17' Try: Takuro Matsunaga (Japan) — Japan 12 – 7 Italy
• 12' 12' Conversion: Takuro Matsunaga (Japan) — Japan 7 – 7 Italy
• 11' 11' Try: Warner Dearns (Japan) — Japan 5 – 7 Italy
• 6' 6' Conversion: Paolo Garbisi (Italy) — Japan 0 – 7 Italy
• 5' 5' Try: Juan Ignacio Brex (Italy) — Japan 0 – 5 Italy

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Highlights