Japan ran in eight unanswered tries against the Philippines to sweep to a 46-0 victory and clinch the Borneo Sevens title, the second and final ranking event in the HSBC Asian Sevens Series on Sunday.
The victory saw Japan retain its position as the top team in Asian Sevens for a second consecutive year.
A young Japanese outfit (pictured below) turned on the style and power to completely outclass the Philippines who were playing in their first HSBC Asian Sevens Series Cup final in their short history in the game.
“Our speed and skill was probably too good for the Philippines. But this win is just the beginning for us as we are looking ahead to the 2016 Rio Olympics already,” said Japan coach Wataru Murata.
Fielding only one player from the squad that won the gold medal at the Asian Games in Guangzhou last year, the youthful Japanese seven moved quickly into top gear to stamp their class. Japan’s big game had come in the semi-finals when they came from behind to beat defending champions Hong Kong 15-12. In the other semi-finals, the Philippines knocked out China 19-14 in sudden death extra time.
“We had set a goal of reaching the last four in this tournament. We have now set a few records. We beat China for the first time and by entering the final, we have put Philippines rugby on the map,” said delighted Philippines Volcanoes coach Matt Cullen.
“Finishing second to a team like Japan is an honour,” Cullen said. “This is way beyond our expectations.”
For full team results from the Borneo Sevens please visit: www.asian5nations.com/borneo-sevens
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