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© 2019 AFPNew, old fans cheer Japan rugby win over Russia
By Natsuko Fukue TOKYO©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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© 2019 AFP
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Toasted Heretic
Well that was a great start! Even if it looked a bit ropey for Japan in the beginning.
Anybody else hear reports of disgruntled fans at some of the zones? A big complaint was the 30 inch screens being less than impressive.
oldman_13
Good for Japan and the fans!
No Business
Japan played well, but seriously, calling a rugby team “Blossoms”?! How....manly and intimidating...!
nedotjp
Good win, but over 30% of their squad, not being Japanese, also dilutes the title "Japan" imo
onsenandbeer2013
A good win for sure.. But when you factor in that most of the Russian players
don't play professionally outside of Russia( only one player plays in Europe), this
was the likely outcome.
onsenandbeer2013
Sorry. Russia has 2 players in Europe.
drlucifer
If rugby catches on and the nationality eligibility rules stay as they are now, you will be hearing of countries like china and the oil rich middle east countries importing foreigners and making noise just as Japan is doing now. The eligibility rules are ridiculous and an utter joke and as greatly reduced my interest in the RWC.
rocketpanda
Great start! Japan was ropey in the first half but found some composure in the second half. Ireland is going to an interesting game. Best of luck to the Blossoms.
So what! Do we really need to go down this route but stating a name is "man" enough? It is flower, get over it. South Africa is nicknamed the Springboks and Australia the Wallabies, hardly intimidating animals but phenomenal rugby teams.
Toasted Heretic
I can't repeat what I heard some of the viewers call Russia, last night!
Seriously, a smashing game and what an opening ceremony. Brought a tear to my eye.
David
20 of the 41 members of the Japanese “national” team were born abroad.
Thats one watered down samurai team.
Wouldn’t be the case on a Japanese women’s rugby team or any women’s sport team in Japan.
That says much on the two genders in this country. The women shoulder the load from childhood and it’s reflected in the country’s adults.
smithinjapan
Good on them for winning the first game. Seemed rather nervous at first, but got in the groove. Russia isn't exactly a stellar team, though. We'll see how they do against Iran (#2 now?) as a better test.
Vince Black
Japan have never gotten past their first pool, it was a lucky start. They'll be extremely lucky to make the quarter finals