France piles on 22 points in last 10 minutes to beat Japan 47-21 in World Cup

The crowd was certainly on Japan's side. I think the French finally figured out to play to the Japanese players (who can't tackle away from the ruck) and not the "foreign" Japanese. I still think that rule is stupid - allowing foreigners to play for a national team if they have lived in the country for 3 years. It should be based on citizenship.

Incidentally, there seem to be some unusual colors for jerseys at this World Cup. Since when does France wear all white?

Brilliant stuff by the Blossoms! You can really see that JKs work is paying off - they made the 4th ranked French look ordinary (and it was their best team can you believe!) The Kiwi crowd took the Japanese boys to heart, just like the Aussies did 8 years ago...chants of "Nihon Nihon Nihon" echoing around the ground!

Really, really impressed by Japan - their speed and creativivity, discipline and willingness to have a go, their kick and chase and so on. They did much better than I imagined and if they play anywhere near that standard- the Canucks and Tongans are in real trouble. That 3rd position in the group is looking VERY possible if JKs lads keep that up!

Great stuff! Japan were amazing, good game!

The brave blossoms really gave France a scare there for a moment. Good effort by Japan. However, in the end, France showed why they are the #4 ranked team in the world. Great effort by both teams.

Hubby and I were there in the crowd, yelling "Ganbare Nippon!" for all we were worth. It was a great match to watch in the stadium, the final score notwithstanding.

So far every match has been fantastic, every game a competition and nobody has been humiliated or embarrassed, the smaller nations are coming out and giving their absolute best. Its excellent to see.

Japan have done Canada and maybe even Kiwi a big favour. France took some big hits. The final score is deceptive, I've never seen Japan play so well. Brilliant game!

really looking forward to the match next week against the might Blacks. Going to game v Canada - Japan sure to win that one!

Japan have Canada and Tonga covered - that's for sure and certain! (Unless the Canucks come out and blow us all away...) Trinh-Duc was pretty garbage at guiding the French Roosters around the paddock - he should be playing for Vietnam and try to boost them into the world cup! LOL! Up Up Brave Blossoms!

Did anybody else notice the way the Japanese TV commentators kept referring to "Japan", rather than "Nippon" during the game? A reaction to all those foreign-looking, red shirt-wearing Blossoms, perhaps?

nobody has been humiliated or embarrassed

How about those poms, then? Geez, they were ordinary against the Argies! Gonna be a Blacks v Wallabies final, for sure and certain! If anyone disagrees - place a bet and you will make a fortune! lol!

@ Burakumin

How about those poms, then? Geez, they were ordinary against the Argies!

Still, (and I already said this on another thread), it must be nice for the Kiwis to see a back-shirted team winning a World Cup game, no?

Great effort by Japan, and for awhile was looking like france were going to get tipped over, two dubious decisions by the ref turned that game other wise japan was gonna win you could see it clearly.

Was expecting some of the foreigners doning the brave blossom red would appear in the post match interview especially the guy who scored 2 tries but none appeared. Guess, the J-media didn't want to show Japanese unable to speak the language. The rules for being able to play for another country must be made more stringent like in soccer. So many foreigners (10) playing for a country that doesn't integrate foreigners born a foreigner always a foreigner.

There was a point there where it looked like the Blossoms were going to turn the tide.They played hard.What else can you ask for.