Prime Ministers XV triumphant

A star-studded Prime Minister's XV has scored a 61-19 win over Japan's national team at Prince Chichibunomiya Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.

Containing four Wallabies and several Super 14 regulars, the Prime Minister's team scored nine tries to three in an entertaining match in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 17,000 which included the Japanese Prime Minister and several Japanese dignitaries.

Japan played a fast-paced and expansive game and scored two well-deserved tries in the first half. However, the Prime Minister's XV was able to make plenty of line breaks and went into the break with a 35-12 lead.

The visitors went on with it in the second half, with the full bench getting a run. Centre Lloyd Johansson even got some time in the unfamiliar position of blindside flanker after an injury to Will Caldwell necessitated a pack reshuffle.

The lack of experience on the side of the scrum didn't seem to hinder the big Queenslander as he got on the scoreboard with a try.

Captain Joe Roe had an outstanding match as did hooker Adam Freier, winger Peter Hynes and centre Julian Huxley.

Waratahs winger/fullback Peter Hewat kicked seven from eight conversion attempts to give the Prime Minister's XV a comfortable win.

Coach Bob Dwyer said the scoreline did not reflect the intensity, speed and determination with which Japan played.

“They threw everything at us and played at a frenetic pace and I am sure the match will have provided them with a good hit out before going into the final leg of the Rugby World Cup qualifiers,” Dwyer said.

“The Japanese love their Rugby and they showed out there today the level of commitment and passion they have for the game.

“It was an honour to be representing the Prime Minister, as well as helping the Japanese Rugby Union celebrate their 80th anniversary.”

Supported by Tourism Australia, Accor and Qantas, the match is one of several events this year marking the Australia-Japan Year of Exchange, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the signing of the 1976 Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Australia and Japan.

Prime Minister's XV   61 (Caleb Brown 2, Peter Hynes, Junior Pelesasa, John Roe, David Croft, Francis Fainifo, Lloyd Johannson, Peter Hewat tries; Peter Hewat 7 cons, Julian Huxley 1 con)

Japan   19.