Japan set the stage for spectacular RWC qualifier finale against Hong Kong

Japan got serious in the Asian Five Nations on Saturday, crushing Korea 62-5 in Incheon to ensure the last game of any sport to be played at Tokyo’s National Stadium – next weekend when they host Hong Kong – will have plenty riding on it.

The Brave Blossoms’ Incheon victory – their 27th straight bonus-point win in the regional competition – sees Eddie Jones’ side with 18 points from three games, the same as Hong Kong.

But the Brave Blossoms have a far superior points difference, 268 to Hong Kong’s 172, and next Sunday (May 25) the two will fight for Asia’s automatic spot for the 2015 World Cup before the stadium is demolished to make way for a new arena being built for the RWC 2019.

“Things got a bit more serious today [Saturday] and they will be even more serious next week,” said Jones. “All we have to do next week is win. We don’t have to play fantastic rugby, though it would be nice as there will be a big crowd. But if we have to grind out a 12-6 win then that’s what we will do.”

Saturday’s win was a milestone for Ayumu Goromaru, who surpassed Keiji Hirose as Japan’s all-time top points scorer. The Japan fullback kicked seven conversions and a penalty to take him to 426 points from 36 tests, passing Hirose’s 422 from 40 games.

“It’s a fantastic achievement,” Jones said. “Hirose was a world-class kicker so for Goro to beat him is fantastic.”

Goromaru started the day by missing his first two kicks after Japan’s dominance up front saw Shinya Makabe and Ryu Koliniasi Holani cross in the opening nine minutes.