Rugby World Cup 2019: Japan vs Russia result and latest updates after opening fixture in Tokyo
Follow live updates from Tokyo as the 2019 Rugby World Cup gets underway in Japan
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Your support makes all the difference.Japan launched Asia's first Rugby World Cup with a victory the host nation craved as they beat Russia 30-10 at Tokyo Stadium.
Four years after causing the World Cup's biggest shock by beating South Africa, Japan again took centre stage, but they were made to work hard by an unheralded Russian outfit. Russia, making a first appearance on rugby union's global stage since 2011, led for most of the first half following wing Kirill Golosnitskiy's early try, but hat-trick hero Kotaro Matsushima sparked Japan into life.
The elusive wing claimed a try double before the break, then flanker Lappies Labuschagne dealt Russia a major blow by collecting an opportunist touchdown early in the second half.
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TRY! And Kirill Golosnitskiy collects and scores!
A howler from Will Tupou. He's completely misjudged the flight and is on his heels as he tries to collect, getting only fingertips to it and Russian left win Golosnitskiy is all too happy to gather, power through an attempted tackle and score the first try of the World Cup.
Yury Kushnarev converts. Cat, meet pigeons.
Japan 0-7 Russia
8 minutes
Better from Japan. They get attacking ball for the first time and a couple of broken tackles moves them into the Russian half, and a stab beyond very nearly results in a try down the right wing, with Russia just about getting men back to defuse the situation.
In comes the counter-ruck from Japan, but Russia ride it and clear to just outside their own 22.
And Japan make a hash of the lineout. Scrum, Russia.
9 minutes
Away from the base comes Nilkita Vavilin, and Yury Kushnarev kicks deep to the Japan back three.
10 minutes
Dangerous that, and Japan come and come. Russia's kick defence looks a real weak point, with a lack of organisation in the back three again opening space for a prod behind, and Japan pour through.
Russia are desperate as Japan win the turnover, and Nigel Owens has his arm out for an obvious offside. Japan go to the corner.
11 minutes
Here come the carriers, Pieter Labuschagne making good metres, and then they go wider...
TRY! What a score! Kotaro Matsushima is in!
Give the credit to outside centre Timothy Lafaele - that is an audacious offload!
He tries to put some footwork on as Japan go out the back, but is well tackled, and goes to floor.
But he keeps his arms free and gets one out the back door, a no-looker from beneath the armpit that tees up a teammate to tip the ball on to Matsushima in space, who hustles in to the corner for the swift Japanese response.
The conversion is missed, but that's a reminder of what Japan are capable of.
Japan 5-7 Russia
15 minutes
Scrum on the right on halfway for Russia, but they opt for an aimless crossfield kick from it, and it sails right into the hands of Matsushima, who takes it down competently under little pressure.
16 minutes
A good box kick from the Russian scrum-half causes a little bit of bother in the Japanese defence but it is that man again who defuses it, Matsushima charging on to a bouncing ball and making ten metres or so.
In play the ball remains. Neither side is looking to kick to touch.
17 minutes
Finally the ball does hop over the white line by virtue of a sliced chip from German Dadydov, who makes ground down the right but elects for something cute rather than taking contact, and it rather goes awry.
A number of the players are blowing, as is referee Nigel Owens - time off, and a few much needed gulps of water and a sweaty Tokyo Stadium.
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