Japan clinch Asian championship with 10-try romp over Korea

Please click on the link to see highlights from 2015 Asia Rugby Championship and Asia Women's Rugby Championship matches.

Japan coach Eddie Jones got the fast start he wanted in Fukuoka on Saturday as his side crushed South Korea 66-10 to capture the 2015 Asia Rugby Championship with a game to spare.

The Brave Blossoms have built an unassailable lead at the top of the standings where they sit with 18 points, 12 ahead of Korea (6) with Hong Kong a distant third (2).

After struggling to play with any real pace in either of their opening games – a 56-30 away win against Korea and a 41-0 home victory over Hong Kong – Japan put in a much more fluid performance with the forwards giving their speedy backs plenty of good ball.

Kenki Fukuoka marked his return to international rugby with a hat-trick in the 10-try romp, while Karne Hesketh bagged a well-earned brace.

Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Luke Thompson, Harumichi Tatekawa, Kensuke Hatakeyama and Ayumu Goromaru all got over the try-line, with the latter knocking over eight conversions for a 21-point total.

“Today was all about attitude,” Jones said after the match. “The team were in their worst physical condition in three years in terms of fatigue and I am pleased they worked through it. We got a little tired 10 minutes after half-time but the reserves came on and did their job and lifted things again.”

Jegal Bin, who plays his club rugby in Japan, crossed for South Korea's only try, converted by Park Hang-yul, while Oh Youn-hyung added a penalty for the visitors.