Japan power past Tunisia to set up Russia semi-final

Japan’s juggernaut keeps powering on at the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens, making short work of Tunisia 38-7 in their Sevens World Series qualifier quarter-final.

Tunisia were simply no match for the Japanese who tore through the north Africans’ defence almost at will.

In Sunday’s first qualifier semi-final Japan will now face Russia who beat Uruguay 21-14.

Lote Tuqiri was man of the match after grabbing three tries, while Katsuyuki Sakai, Dai Ozawa, Lomano Lemeki and Josefa Lilidamu all touched down once.

For Japan’s Lilidamu a lot has happened in the past 12 months. Last year he played for the BGC Dragons in the GFI HKFC Tens and finished as the tournament’s top scorer.

The Fijian became eligible to play for Japan last year and is back in the city this weekend playing on a much bigger stage – and looking forward to facing the hosts.