Welcome to live coverage as Tonga face Japan at Okara Park in Whangarei in Group A of the World Cup.

Japan patient as they work from the Tongan 22. Keen not to cede possession with another careless pass in the final third.

Scrum to Japan as Tonga knock on after winning the ball back in the ruck.

Japan now charging down the left. After a few phases, where Endo seeks to batter his way down the touchline, Arlidge sets it up in a more central position.

Tonga's hopes of a counter-attacking try end when a penalty is awarded against them. As you often get when the lower-ranked nations compete in the World Cup, this is an entertaining free-flowing game of rugby.

Japan have men over on the left and a try looks on the cards... intercepted! It was a handling error in fact and Siale Piutau carries it over halfway!

Scrappy kick by Arlidge again, but Japan win possession nonetheless.

CONVERSION TONGA! 12-5 TONGA! This time the Tongan conversion from fly-half Morath is good, but only just - in off the far post.

TRY TONGA! 10-5 TONGA! Japan fail to deal with the kick-off and Tonga wrestle possession back - it is recycled and Moa brings it out to feed Tukulua Lokotui, who bundles over in the corner. Instant reply.

Arlidge's kick is sweetly struck but just wide of the near post.

TRY JAPAN! 5-5! There is "no reason" a try cannot be awarded to Kensuke Hatakeyama, even though the ball disappeared from view as the prop dragged is over the line - it was underneath him.

Japan again win the lineout and attack the try-line. Are they over? No, Tonga hold them back... a Japanese player sneaks around the side in the ruck and it goes to the TMO.

Wing Kosuke Endo is fed the ball and attacks the left corner... Tonga offside and Arlidge kicks easily into the corner from the penalty.

Fly-half James Arlidge kicks to touch with a penalty to give Japan field position.

Scrumdown on halfway after kick-off. Slow start from Japan as they look to finally win in this tournament.

Tonga lost to Canada in this stadium - both sides have lost their opening two matches.

The conversion is missed by Kurt Morath of the team in red and white hoops.

TRY TONGA! 5-0 TONGA! Ma'afu picks up at the back of the Tongan pack and this time has the ball grounded. The TMO is consulted, but he did not knock on in reaching out and putting the ball on the line with his forearm.

Constant Tongan pressure at the start of this match. Another five-metre scrum... and they win a penalty from it. Again they choose to scrummage, with Japan warned that the next penalty will result in a yellow card.

Ma'afu this time takes the ball on from the scrum and crosses, but is he held up? The video ref says no try.

Scrum-half Taniela Moa picks and nips round the five-metre scrum but is halted at the line, Japan again holding firm in defence.

Japan scramble it back across their line but the ball is turned over after a mishandle... and the penalty goes to Tonga. No.8 Viliami Ma'afu takes the tap and almost gets over the try-line!