![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/JapanvRussia2Sep2019RWC_large.jpg\")
Japan launched Asia\u2019s first Rugby World Cup with a victory the host nation craved as they beat Russia 30-10 at Tokyo Stadium.<\/p>\nJapan launched Asia\u2019s first Rugby World Cup with a victory the host nation craved as they beat Russia 30-10 at Tokyo Stadium.<\/p>\n
Four years after causing the World Cup\u2019s biggest shock by beating South Africa, Japan again took center stage, but they were made to work hard by an unheralded Russian outfit.<\/p>\n
Russia, making a first appearance on rugby union\u2019s global stage since 2011, led for most of the first half following wing Kirill Golosnitskiy\u2019s early try, but hat-trick hero Kotaro Matsushima sparked Japan into life.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
And it was Matsushima who secured a bonus point when he completed his hat-trick 11 minutes from time, while fly-half Yu Tamura kicked two penalties and a conversion, with Rikiya Matsuda converting the final try.<\/p>\n
Russia could not add to Golosnitskiy\u2019s try, apart from Yury Kushnarov\u2019s conversion and penalty as Japan confirmed a winning start in Pool A \u2013 a group that also includes Scotland and Ireland.<\/p>\n
After a colorful and vibrant opening ceremony, which included World Rugby chairman and former England captain Sir Bill Beaumont making an official welcome, Russia dimmed the lights by scoring a fifth-minute try.<\/p>\n
Japan full-back William Tupou made a hash of collecting a kick inside his own 22, and Golosnitskiy capitalized on his hesitancy to claim the competition\u2019s opening try, with Kushnarev converting.<\/p>\n
Russia, ranked 10 places below their opponents in the world rankings and coached by Welshman Lyn Jones, showed no sign of nerves as they looked to rattle Japan through some strong early ball-carrying.<\/p>\n
Russia posed plenty of questions, but Japan found an answer seven minutes later when some slick handling among their backs produced the required result when Matsushima finished impressively.<\/p>\n
Errors, though, continued to abound in stamina-sapping conditions that saw players from both sides regularly taking on water.<\/p>\n
Matsushima was denied a second try when replays showed the ball slipped agonizingly from his grasp as he crossed Russia\u2019s line, but he made amends four minutes later by breaching the opposition defense, with Tamura\u2019s conversion giving Japan a 12-7 interval advantage.<\/p>\n
A Tamura penalty early in the second period extended Japan\u2019s lead, before Russia began to show signs of creaking when Labuschagne galloped clear on a 35-meter run that confirmed his team\u2019s third try.<\/p>\n
Kushnarev and Tamura exchanged penalties during the final quarter, with 26-year-old Matsushima then finishing as he had started with another score to confirm a memorable contribution on the competition\u2019s opening night.<\/p>\n