SAPPORO, Japan (AP) — Japan is winless in three games under head coach Eddie Jones after losing 42-14 with five tries to two in the Sapporo Dome on Sunday.

Australian-born Jones coached Japan from 2012 to 2015 and returned to the head coaching role this year under controversial circumstances After stepping down as Wallabies coachDuring Jones’ second term, Japan has fallen two places in the world rankings to 14th place, having lost to England, Georgia and now Italy.

Italy entered the match as favourites after a 36-24 win over Tonga in Nuku’alofa last weekend, their first in the Pacific, and a 33-25 loss to Samoa in Apia the weekend before.

Although Japan’s 25-23 defeat to Georgia last weekend may have come as a surprise, Georgia’s spirited performance against Australia After Sunday’s match, Italy had won eight of its 10 matches against Japan.

Italy dominated the match throughout, with Australian-born centre Dylan Riley scoring both of Japan’s goals, which were scored by Rikiya Matsuda.

Lyon scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo opened the scoring for Italy with a penalty three minutes from time. Midfielder Ange Capuozzo scored the first try in the eighth minute and Page-Relo put his side 10-0 up.

Page-Relo scored his own try in the 13th minute, but Paolo Garbisi converted it to increase the score by more than a point per minute, making it 17-0.

Key player Andrea Zambonin scored in the 35th minute and Garbisi’s conversion made the lead 24-0, but Riley’s first try narrowed the gap to 24-7 at half-time.

Japan got back into the game with Riley’s second try just two minutes into the second half, narrowing the gap to 24-14.

Page-Relo extended Japan’s lead to 30-14 with two penalties, but Italy stopped Japan from rallying in the 72nd minute with a try from Alessandro Garbisi, who came on as a substitute.

Italy finished the match with a try to South African-born winger Ross Vintcent in the 81st minute. Their victory was achieved despite losing a player to sin-bin in each half.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby