Singapore Women’s Rugby World Cup hopes dashed by Japan

By Nic Chua

Republic Polytechnic, Wednesday, November 5, 2009 - Japan trumped Singapore convincingly 35-11 in the first match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 Asian Qualifiers.

Right from the get-go, the stage was set for a great evening of rugby, with the cool and breezy weather from the afternoon showers advantageous to the Japanese players, who were expecting to play in Singapore’s usual hot and humid weather.

The game kicked off at a fast and furious pace, with Singapore in black, and the Japanese in their trademark red and white jerseys; both teams trying to gain the initial upper hand. But it did not take long for Japan to score their first try.

Singapore were awarded a line-out, but due to an infringement, the referee called for a scrum, with possession given to the Japanese. Fly-half Ayaka Suzuki (JPN, #10) kicked the ball towards the try line and and winger Fumiko Naotsuka (JPN, #11) crossed over to give Japan their first points. Fullback Naoko Hasebe (JPN, #15) failed to convert, putting the score at 5-0 in Japan’s favour.

Not long after, Japan pulled further ahead, also off another scrum. Winger Amanda Teo (SIN, #11) made a nice low tackle to stop inside centre Haruka Kamada (JPN, #12) from scoring, but she managed to offload the ball to teammate Hasebe (JPN, #15), who shrugged off the Singapore defence and passed to Suzuki (JPN, #10), who then crossed the line. Hasebe’s conversion was unsuccessful yet again, and the score now stood at 10-0.

With their confidence at an all-time high, fly-half Suzuki (JPN, #10) made a speedy dash in an attempt to penetrate Singapore’s line, but was soon neutralised by the stout Singapore defence.

The match was not entirely one-sided though, with the Singapore players trying hard to get their names on the score sheet. The closest that they came to scoring a try in the first half was a nice one-two between scrumhalf Tan Hui Juan (SIN, #9) and fullback Derelyn Chua (SIN, #15). Fly-half Eunice Tay (SIN, #10) made the final dash for the line after receiving the ball, but was stopped by the Japanese wall.

Minutes after that attempt, the referee awarded Singapore a penalty inside the opponent’s 22, and fly-half Tay (SIN, #10) opted to kick for points instead of running the ball. The score was now 10-3, with halftime coming up.

But there was time for one last play. A line-out was awarded to Japan in Singapore’s 22, and with a strong maul formation off, flanker Mami Okada (JPN, #7) managed to carry the ball over for Japan’s third try. 15-3 to Japan.

Singapore came out with all guns firing in the second half, and threatened the Japanese try line a few times, but Lady Luck was not on their side and each attempt was neutralised by the excellent Japanese defence. They were rewarded for their persistence though, when the referee awarded them another penalty and the attempt from Singapore captain, flanker Wang Shao-Ing (SIN, #7), barely made it over the crossbar to bring the score to 15-6.

Japan did not slacken off as well, with a combined effort by the back line allowing winger Fumiko Naotsuka (JPN, #11) to cross over for Japan’s fourth try. With an unsuccessful conversion, the score now stood at 20-6.

With the time running down and Singapore's dream to the WRWC quickly fading away, a quick move by Singapore to go with an awarded penalty turned out to be a decoy. Fly-half Tay (SIN, #10) received the ball and headed for the try line, with the entire Singapore team in support. They made it over the try line, but the referee ruled that the ball was held up by the Japanese players.

Sensing a changing of the tide, Singapore pressed on, and were duly rewarded. A quick tap-and-go by Tay (SIN, #10) threw the Japanese defence off-guard and substitute flanker Annabel Woo (SIN, #23) made it across the line for Singapore’s first try of the game. The subsequent conversion attempt by Tay (SIN, #10) was unsuccessful, bringing the score to 20-11.

Substitutions were made by the Singapore team, and while the new players tried to settle into the pace of the game quickly, the Japanese capitalised on several mistakes made and threatened the Singapore try line yet again. Fly-half Suzuki (JPN, #10) made a promising kick from the 10-metre line into Singapore’s 22, but her teammates were unable to convert that opportunity into points.

Subsequently, a nice interception by Suzuki (JPN, #10) added more points to the score sheet, and after a series of nice moves with Marie Yamaguchi (JPN, #22), winger Naotsuka (JPN, #11) put one more in the bag for the Japanese. But the Japanese were still hungry for more, and flanker Mami Okada (JPN, #7) put one more past the Singapore line to cap off a very good game for the Japanese.

Final score: Japan 35 Singapore 11.