Japan beats Philippines 121-0 in HSBC Asian Five Nations; Hong Kong wins

Japan and Hong Kong recorded impressive opening wins on the first weekend of HSBC Asian Five Nations (HSBC A5N) top five action.

Japan set a new points scoring record with 18 tries and 121 points to nil in their win over the Philippines on their top five debut.

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.

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

Defying the conditions at a cold and wet level five 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.

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.

The day’s second match between Hong Kong and UAE saw a disjointed effort which left Hong Kong captain Tom McColl and coach Leigh Jones both unhappy. But Hong Kong still accomplished the task at hand, which was to win their opening game in the top five.

Hong Kong ran in eight tries as they overcame a spirited UAE outfit 53-7. While the score line might look impressive, the performance was hardly one to write home about as the hosts struggled to put together a cohesive attack and had to mostly feed on the mistakes of their opponents.

With 12 of its sevens players not being considered for the opening two games – against UAE and Japan – Hong Kong didn’t want to be in a position of needing to win both their last two games against the Philippines and South Korea which sandwich the London Sevens on 11-12 May.