The Seiji Hirao Memorial Game at Noevir Stadium on Saturday did not produce a lot of the flowing rugby the former Kobe Steel and Japan great was known for.

But the man dubbed "Mr. Rugby" would -- despite the result -- have been happy at the event, Kobe's first-ever test match and an occasion that showcased its ability to be a superb host and venue at Rugby World Cup 2019.

Indiscipline cost the Brave Blossoms dear as they went down 25-22 to the Azzurri in front of a packed stadium in the port city Hirao made his home before he passed away on Oct. 20, 2016.

(Hirao scoring a try for Kebe Steel in January 1990)

"Hirao-san was very much Kobe rugby," said current Japan boss Jamie Joseph, who was a member of the Japan squad at the 1999 Rugby World Cup that the former flyhalf/center coached.

"He was a man we all respected. When I first came to Japan in 1995, he was a man that everyone held in high esteem and that was very obvious."

Hirao's former teammate at Doshisha University and Kobe, Toshiyuki Hayashi, spoke to the Brave Blossoms on Friday night to share some of his memories of the mercurial flyhalf/center.

"I only met him a few times but everyone talks about how he wanted to change Japanese rugby," said scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka, who went to the same high school as Hirao, photos of whom were displayed around the stadium.

As a player, Hirao seemed to ghost past defenders and his astute tactical brain helped Fushimi Technical High School, Doshisha and Kobe win a plethora of national titles.

(Hirao playing for Japan at a test match against Rumania in May 1995) 

But even he would have been hard pressed to do anything without the ball, and Japan's inability to retain the limited possession they had meant the backs had scant pickings.

Tries by William Tupou and Kotaro Matsushima showed what could be done when they did get some go-forward ball, and Hirao would have marveled at the athleticism and power of Amanaki Lelei Mafi, who also crossed the chalk.

But indiscipline at crucial stages and the recurring problem of missed tackles allowed the Italians to come away with the win and level the series.

"Obviously it was a test match we wanted to win, but we just weren't good enough in certain areas of the game," said Joseph.