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© 2022 AFPFrance survive heat to beat Japan 42-23
TOYOTA CITY, Aichi©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.
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© 2022 AFP
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tooheysnew
Couldn’t they start the game at 7pm ?
shogun36
Are they TRYING to kill their players?
Could they not pick a hotter time of the year to hold such a tournament?
John Noun
Well done France.
Japan were very poor
Fighto!
That was exactly my thought. Utter stupidity and danger to stick to starting at the height of the heat.
Well done France, good effort Brave Blossoms!
John Noun
How about trying to be competent player Mr Sakate? You were appalling. Captain?? Terrible example to set.
John Noun
Also, call me ignorant, but captain aside, does Japan have any Japanese players? Why are they allowed to field a mostly non Japanese lineup?
It's really not a good reflection of Japanese rugby.
Fighto!
Point taken - 5 of the Brave Blossoms starting XV were Japan born, for this match. A bit unfair to single Japan out for importing players though. Teams such as Scotland have been known to field almost entirely foreign born teams. Even Australia import many foreign players from NZ, Tonga, Samoa etc to make their team competitive.
didou
Even if it is hot, why do they make them having a drink every 10 minutes. These guys are pro, not schoolkids. Otherwise, make them playing in the evening. Too many breaks during the game.
Mr Kipling
Fighto......
These "foreign born" Scots are mostly born south of the border to Scottish parents. Very different to the rugby mercenaries playing for Japan. But to be fair other team also have some mercenaries, just not on Japan's level.
Fighto!
The only 2 teams who would never need any foreign born players (although they have had some) are NZ and South Africa.
Mr Kipling
Fighto....
Foreign born is not important. As I pointed out, there are many Scotland players born in England to Scottish mothers and fathers. They have been brought up celebrating Scottish heritage. They didn't turn up in Glasgow age 26 with a contract to play Rugby. Japan's mercenaries have no connection to Japan other than being paid to play Rugby. Big difference!
PS You may want to check the number of islanders who have played for NZ...
Last world cup only 2 teams had "pure" teams... Uruguay and Georgia.
N. Knight
Ha ha ha ha!!! Funny.
N. Knight
I remember the days we had a Welshman playing scrum half for England and an Englishman playing scrum half for Wales... Same time and against each other sometimes.
They both had ties.
All the Japan players have correct ties to Japan to play.