Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Japan and Fiji level 21-21 at halftime in centenary rugby match
Japan and Fiji were tied 21-21 at halftime in a men’s rugby test match at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.
The game on October 24 marked 100 years of the Japan Rugby Football Union.
Japan scored first, but Fiji drew level and then moved ahead twice in an open first half.
Japan’s Warner Dearns scored to make it 14-14, and Maxi Faulua’a’s try brought the teams level again.
Japan had beaten Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup final in September, and was seeking a second straight win.
The teams have met 22 times, with Japan winning five and Fiji 17.
The match was the first of Japan’s autumn series of five tests, which the team views as preparation for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Japan and Fiji were tied 21-21 at halftime in a centenary rugby match at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.
Japan scored first, but Fiji drew level and later regained the lead before Japan equalised.
Japan’s tries came from Naoto Saito, Warner Dearns and Maxi Faulua.
The match was part of celebrations marking the Japan Rugby Football Union’s 100th anniversary.
- Who
- Japan and Fiji’s men’s national rugby teams.
- What
- They were level 21-21 at halftime in a rugby test match.
- When
- October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.
- Why
- The match was held as part of celebrations marking the Japan Rugby Football Union’s 100th anniversary.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Japan held a training session at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium ahead of the Fiji match.
Japan opened the scoring through a try by Naoto Saito and a successful kick.
Warner Dearns scored for Japan to make it 14-14.
Maxi Faulua scored and Japan converted the try to level the score at 21-21.
- Halftime score
- Japan 21-21 Fiji
- Venue
- Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo
- Japan’s first try
- Naoto Saito, 6th minute
- Japan’s second try
- Warner Dearns, 22nd minute
- Japan’s third try
- Maxi Faulua, 34th minute
- Occasion
- Japan Rugby Football Union’s 100th anniversary
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What people are saying
We want to beat Fiji, and we have to win. It would be great to win twice and go to Europe with confidence.
We will fight carrying the thoughts of the people who brought us to the 100th anniversary.