Japan secured top spot in Pool B of the Pacific Nations Cup early Saturday (US time) with a 41-24 defeat of the USA in Tokyo.

The Brave Blossoms certainly had to work for it in what was still a creditable performance by the USA, but Japan's speed of play and their skill level were too much for the Eagles.

Japan started the game putting the USA under pressure and getting a penalty which flyhalf Seungsin Lee put over for a 3-0 lead five minutes in. The Japanese kept it up, forcing the Eagles to scramble to stay organized on defense. And when the Eagles did make tackles, the Brave Blossoms were very quick to get over the ball and clear out that ruck. The result was they often won those rucks with just one support player, leaving many options for the attack. It was energy-sapping stuff to defend against.

Finally the try came off a nice chip kick nabbed nicely by outside center Dylan Riley and quickly offloaded to inside center Nicholas McCurran for the try. Lee was good on the conversion and Japan led 10-0.

Luke Carty was able to put over a penalty in response almost directly after the restart, but Japan continued to build on their lead. They got in close and the forwards did their work, with lock Sanaila Waqa finishing it off. Lee converted and it was 17-3.

As halftime approached it was crucial for the Eagles to get some momentum. They had good field position thanks in part to Carty's kicking game, and with decent possession, the USA had trouble breaking through. Finally they did work their way closer thanks in large part to a Japan penalty. That set up a lineout and maul, and the USA pack changed the angle of drive, with captain Greg Peterson marshaling Jamason Fa'anana-Schultz over in the corner. Carty, whose goalkicking wasn't the best last week, slotted a brilliant touchline conversion and it was 17-10.

Going into the sheds at halftime down 17-10 might have been acceptable for the Eagles, but it wasn't to be, as reserve hooker Mamoru Harada crashed over from short range. Lee was good on the kick once more and it was 24-10.

Note Done Yet

Japan scored early in the second half, with Riley capping off a nice movement that made it, with Lee's conversion, 31-10

But the Eagles did not wilt in the heat and humidity of Japan's late summer. Instead they redoubled their efforts. Down close to the line they worked the forwards close and then scrumhalf Ruben de Haas fired a laser pass out to Nate Augspurger on the wing. Augspurger was ready, sold a nice sidestep to avoid one tackler, and was over.

Carty slotted another strong kick and it was a two-score game at 31-17. Back came the Eagles and they ran a maul close to the line. The forwards bashed it up to the right, and then Carty and Mitch Wilson looped around to the left. De Haas fed Carty who skipped Wilson to find Augspurger, and the winger was over for his second. Carty's kick snaked around the upright to make it a one-score game at 31-24.

This was a worrying moment for Japan, but they were up for it. Right off the restart Lee slotted a penalty to give his side a cushion, and just a few minutes later wing MaloTuitama cut through for a brilliant individual effort to ice the game.

It was a tenacious showing by the USA but not quite enough. Still, considering the form Japan has been in, the USA can take a lot of positives from it.

"A lot of good efforts from the lads and I hope the fans at home were happy with it," said Peterson.

Added Head Coach Scott Lawrence, "big credit to the Japan team toward; they are incredibly disciplined and they beat us in both halves." Lawrence acknowledged that his team showed well in the set piece, this despite a very powerful and tall Japanese second row. All they needed to do to build on that, said Lawrence was "establish some discipline."

The USA effort has helped nicely by Carty's goalkicking. A week after going 3-for-six against Canada, Carty was a perfect 4-for-4, including three conversions from the touchline. Lee for Japan was also perfect on the day.

USA 24
Tries: Fa'anana-Schultz, Augspurger 2
Convs: Carty 3
Pens: Carty

Japan 41
Tries: McCurran, Waqa, Harada, Riley, Tuitama
Convs: Lee 5
Pens: Lee 2