Follow Us
TOKYO, September 19
With the weight of an expectant nation on their shoulders and a governing body desperate for the hosts to succeed in the first Rugby World Cup in Asia, Japan head into the tournament opener tomorrow under arguably more pressure than any other team.
Fortunately, head coach Jamie Joseph probably could not have picked a better match-up to begin their campaign as they prepare to face Russia, ranked 20th in the world and making only their second World Cup finals appearance, at Tokyo Stadium.
A big win for the home side is likely to be welcomed by World Rugby, who took a major risk in awarding the tournament to Japan 10 years ago, taking the World Cup out of the sport’s traditional heartlands for the first time.
They will be looking for a good early showing from Japan to build further excitement in the host country, who are already optimistic following the Pacific Nations Cup triumph last month. Japan now see themselves as too good for many of the other Tier-two nations and are looking to disrupt the established world order by reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.
Although the results against their other Pool A opponents, Ireland, Scotland and Samoa, will likely define Japan’s World Cup campaign, a big opening win in front of an expected record television audience will build belief that history can be made. Joseph has been quick to dismiss the favourites tag ahead of Friday’s game, pointing out that Japan only managed to sneak a 32-27 win when they faced Russia in November.
“I never consider us to be the favourites, simply because… we have never been the favourites,” Joseph said. “We have got a lot of respect for Russia and we were very lucky to win the last time we played them.” — Reuters
Pride and prejudice lace NZ, SA opener
Tokyo: New Zealand’s encounter with South Africa in Yokohama on Saturday may have little influence on the progression of the heavyweight pair to the knockout stages, but is a chance for both to lay down a major marker. New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has dismissed the idea that his side are more vulnerable than the winning teams of 2011 and 2015, while the Springboks will be eager to prove their title credentials to those that doubt their ability to put together a consistent run of wins over top nations. “If South Africa or ourselves get beaten, you can either roll over and say, ‘We can’t win it (the trophy)’, or you say, ‘We have to win all our (six remaining) games from here on in’. It’s a long tournament, a marathon and not a sprint,” Hansen said. South Africa are unbeaten in 2019 and claimed the Rugby Championship title for the first time in a decade, in part thanks to a 16-16 draw with the All Blacks in July. Reuters
3
6