Japan ran in six converted tries as it kicked off its 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign with a 42-12 bonus-point win against debutant Chile, which put on a brave face in searing heat and scored two tries in Pool D on Sunday.
After opening the scoring through a Rodrigo Fernandez early try, the South American team, the lowest ranked at this World Cup, added another from Alfonso Escobar with Santiago Vila slotting over the conversion.
Japan made the most of Chile’s two yellow cards to prevail with a brace by Amato Fakatava and other tries from Jone Naikabula, Michael Leitch, Ryoto Nakamura and Warner Dearns, all six being converted by Rikiya Matsuda.