Jake White makes winning start as new Fiji coach

Fiji edged Japan 34-28 in Tokyo on Saturday to give new coach Jake White a winning start in his reunion with Eddie Jones, less than a year until the World Cup.

The 62-year-old White led his native South Africa to World Cup glory in 2007 and went on to coach teams in Australia, France and Japan before being handed the Fiji job this month.

White is reportedly being helped by fellow South Africans Gert Smal and Allister Coetzee.

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Roller-coaster game

Jake White’s new side came out on top against Jones’s Japan in a roller-coaster game in the rain.

The Australian Jones was White’s technical adviser for South Africa’s World Cup win.

Japan and Fiji each scored three first-half tries, before visiting substitute Ben Volavola made the difference with two penalties after the break.

The two sides had met in the Pacific Nations Cup final in Tokyo a month earlier, with Japan winning 20-15.

Saturday’s game served as a warm-up for Japan and Fiji’s trips to Europe next month for the Nations Championship.

Japan will play Wales, England and Scotland, while Fiji will take on France, Ireland and Italy.

The game was being played to mark the 100th anniversary of the Japan Rugby Football Union.

Perfect start

Japan, wearing special white commemorative shirts, made the perfect start when Naoto Saito scurried over the line for a fourth-minute try.

Fiji hit back just over five minutes later through Kitione Salawa, then took the lead when captain Tevita Ikanivere touched down after a counterattack.

Japan captain Warner Dearns rampaged over the line to even the scores, but Fiji regained the lead when Tuidraki Samusamuvodre pounced on a mistake in the Japan defence.

Upgraded to red

Fiji were temporarily reduced to 14 men when Motikai Murray was yellow-carded in the 35th minute and Japan took advantage immediately with a try from Faulua Makisi.

Murray’s yellow card was later upgraded to a red but Fiji regained their lead when Terio Tamani scored four minutes into the second half.

Japan hit back with another Dearns try but Volavola stayed cool to edge Fiji back ahead for good.

Jake White coached the Springboks in 54 Test, winning 36, losing 17 and drawing one, for a win-percentage of 66.7%.

Meanwhile, Coetzee coached the Springboks in 25 Tests, winning 11, losing 12 and drawing two, for a win-percentage of just 44%.