Japan thrashes Uruguay in Rugby World Cup warm-up

TOKYO: Japan knocked out Uruguay 40-0 Saturday, bagging two straight warm-up victories as they prepare for the World Cup in England.
The Brave Blossoms remained in control throughout the match at the Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, managing six tries in all.
Fullback Ayumu Goromaru put Japan ahead with the first try in the 12th minute.
Three minutes later, the team showed off their speedy passing to dash pass the Uruguay defense, sending Kosei Ono to score another try to extend the lead.
In the 25th minute, flanker Michael Broadhurst sprinted deep into the left for the third try.
In the second half, Japan added three more tries by Kotaro Matsushima in the 4th minute, Hendrik Tui in the 10th minute and Kenki Fukuoka in the 26th minute.
The victory followed a 30-8 win against Uruguay last Sunday, and gave the team a much needed morale boost as they prepare to challenge two-time champions South Africa in their Rugby World Cup opener.
Japan have long dominated Asian rugby but they will have to ditch their emotional baggage if they are to achieve their bold target of reaching the World Cup quarter-finals.
Head coach Eddie Jones will take the Brave Blossoms to the Rugby World Cup in England next month, where Japan will tackle South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and the United States in a tough Pool B.
Japan have consistently fallen short on the big stage, their only World Cup win coming against Zimbabwe in 1991.