'Miracle of Brighton': Upset that put Japanese rugby on the map

I watched the Japan/All Blacks game in Bloemfontein in ‘95, bit of a mismatch and went to the stadium bar at halftime but my oh my they’ve come along way since then...Im hoping to hear the stadiums erupt when the BB’s get a David-Goliathesque win against a top fiver!

How many foreigners are in the team ? The rules for playing for another country other than your country of birth or nationality are so lax and a complete joke. If it was the case in soccer, china and the oil reach gulf nations would be participating in every WC.

I don't take rugby seriously.

I wonder how much of the improvement is down to including Foreign born “mercenaries “ as HALF of the squad?

Wouldn’t it be better to call then “International 15” than Japan?

I also wonder how much of the improvement is down to the coach? Sure, the team has a high percentage of “Foreign Born” players but they’re Japanese nonetheless. Take a look at any major team these days and you’ll see the same thing. Bundee Aki, the great Irish centre is about as Irish as Doraemon but he got a Green Jersey...

I don't think one needs to change nationality to be eligible to play for another country. Below are the eligibility rules

Which country can a player represent?

There are four ways a player can be eligible to represent a country at international level. They are:

They were born in the country.

They have a parent or grandparent who was born in the country.

They have lived in the country for 36 consecutive months (three years) to qualify on residency immediately before playing.

They have completed ten years of cumulative residence in the country before playing.

So if you are a third stream Kiwi and never quite going to pull on that black jersey, but want to play international rugby....

Just come to Japan! 3 years and you are in the Japan team!

With so many “Islanders” on the Japan squad, will they also do a Hakka before kick off?

With so many “Islanders” on the Japan squad, will they also do a Hakka before kick off?

They say ignorance is bliss. You sir are assured a happy life.

Haka, is Maori, other Pacific Nations don't do a Haka!

Jamie was an All Black but he was also a Cherry Blossom (don't laugh). He played for NZ in RWC1995 and 4 years later was playing for Japan.

Why wouldn't he choose all the eligible people he can? Yes Rugby is desperate to change the rules but the fact that Tongan born players that play for the Al Blacks can't play for the likes of Tonga or Samoa is a pox bought on the game by England and their cowardly "home nations" neighbors. "World in Union" is a farce. Japan has money and also gains by bringing in talent at high school age from Pacific nations. Look at their team. "First World in Union" more like it.