Novice in the World Cup, made up largely of semi-professional players, the Chilean national team arrived in France without a big objective, but with the idea of “giving a good image, showing that we are a courageous team”. As such and in view of their resistance against the Japanese, the Condors can draw reason for satisfaction from their inaugural defeat, ultimately quite large (42-12), Sunday September 10, at the Toulouse Stadium.
“All of our players are guys who have never played in the World Cup or against tier 1 nations [the best in the world] and in stadiums with over 30,000 people. They don't have this experience, "explained before the meeting the coach of Chile, the Uruguayan Pablo Lemoine, pillar of the French stadium in the early 2000s.
Only three players among the 23 selected play in Europe, but none in the first division: full-back Iñaki Ayarza (Soyaux-Angoulême, second division), prop Matias Dittus (Périgueux, third division) in France, and captain and third- Martin Sigren line (Doncaster) in England.
In this context, we understand better why Rodrigo Fernandez's try was celebrated as a victory by the Chilean fans at the start of the match (0-7, 6th). In 2022, another try by the opening half had gone around the world, during the double confrontation won by his team against the United States, synonymous with qualification for the World Cup.
Eight trials in total
Japan reacted quickly through Amato Fakatava, who found the interval in the defense, before a second try scored by winger Jone Naikabula after a scrum five meters from the in-goal (14- 7, 30th).
Twice reduced in numerical inferiority in the first period, Chile showed virtues in defense, before conceding a new try from Fakatava, following a maul, in added time of the first period (21-7, 40th).
The Chileans again showed selflessness to score a second try in the second half, flattened by Alfonso Escobar (21-12, 48th). But the Brave Blossoms (the "brave flowers") took to the open sea, Michael Leitch at the same time scoring a try synonymous with the offensive bonus (28-12, 53rd).
At the end of the match, the Japanese, who remained on a series of nine defeats in ten matches, gave a little more depth to their success with tries concluded by center Ryoto Nakamura (35-12, 72nd) and the second- Warner Dearns line (42-12, 80th). In total, Stadium spectators will have seen eight attempts during this torrid afternoon (37 degrees announced by the France Télévisions commentators).
In the standings of Group D, Japan – quarter-finalist of the last edition of the World Cup – temporarily passes England. The two teams will meet again on Sunday September 17, in Nice.
Beaten during their four preparation matches against Uruguay (26-25), Namibia (28-26) and twice by Argentina B (28-26 and 40-13), the Chileans have surely acquired confidence before going to challenge Samoa on Saturday in Bordeaux.
