Japan romp into World Cup with 94-5 victory

John Kirwan's side scored 14 tries to snatch the sole direct entry given to Asia for the World Cup, while the defeat for Hong Kong meant they missed out on the cross-continental play-off for the tournament against Uruguay after Kazakhstan beat South Korea 32-25 to claim second place.

Japan have swept aside all before them in the Asian Five Nations this year and were once again strong from the outset against Hong Kong, establishing a 45-0 lead at half-time.

Their dominance continued after the restart as Fumiako Tanka, Kosuke Endo, Shota Horie and Kaoru Matsushita all scored to move Japan into a 73-point lead before flanker Mark Wright grabbed Hong Kong's solitary try, pouncing on a mistake by James Aldridge midway through the second half.

"We have achieved our first goal this year which was to qualify for the World Cup," said Kirwan. "The players have worked very hard and that was our best performance in the competition so far. But there is a long way to go."

Japan, who will play in their seventh successive World Cup, progress to Pool A of the 2011 tournament along with hosts New Zealand, France, Canada and Tonga.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the players whose dream is to play at a World Cup," added Kirwan.

"Hopefully we can show the Japanese style of rugby."

In yesterday's other game, Kazakhstan scored four tries in their victory over South Korea to claim the bonus point that ensured they edged Hong Kong for second place.

Defending champions the Bulls booked their place in the Super 14 final with a 39-24 victory over the Crusaders in Soweto yesterday.

Both sides scored three tries apiece but the kicking of fly-half Morne Steyn, who contributed 24 points for the hosts, proved the difference.

And in truth the South Africans never looked like losing control of the game from the moment Pierre Spies' try gave them a third-minute lead.

The Bulls finished the regular season top of the table, with their opponents in fourth, and were quick to assert their superiority.

Spies capitalised on some quick turnover ball to touch down under the posts.

Steyn added the conversion to put the Crusaders on the back foot.

The No. 10 slotted over a penalty as the Bulls moved 10-0 in front, but New Zealand captain Richie McCaw dragged the visitors back into the game.

McCaw merged from a maul with the ball and crossed the whitewash with Dan Carter adding the extras.

Within three minutes, though, the Bulls had their second try, full-back Zane Kirchner kicking ahead to dot down after the visitors had failed to deal with his high ball. Steyn's accuracy with the boot continued as he slotted over the conversion and a second penalty to put the home side 20-7 in front after 19 minutes.

Carter slotted over a penalty of his own but hooked a long-range attempt to the left of the posts before Steyn kicked his third penalty of the half from almost 60 metres to restore the Bulls' 13-point advantage.

The Springbok playmaker missed for the first time on the stroke of half-time, though, and Sean Maitland scored the Crusaders' second try of the match following a well-executed scrum move, Carter's conversion closing the gap to six points.

Steyn added another penalty to take the Bulls' advantage beyond a converted try, missing a monster drop goal attempt three minutes later.

Carter missed with another penalty attempt and, in the 63rd minute, scrum-half Fourie du Preez broke around the blindside and went over in the corner to all but seal the victory for the Bulls.

Steyn added the conversion and two more penalties to take the score to 39-17.

Lock Sam Whitelock touched down for the Crusaders' third try in the 79th minute, and Carter added the conversion, but the Bulls had already wrapped up their final place.