Japan rejoices after Rugby World Cup over Scotland

As a Scot I have to admit Japan were particularly focused and aggressive, and made very few errors. They were seemilngly everywhere. They threw off Scotland's rhythm who by the end we were close to tatters. A very exciting game and deserved win for Japan.

That was a game of beauty. I'm new to the sport, but the passion with which both teams tackled the match was inspirational. Congratulations to both teams.

@Yubaru

Well said : )

It seems that, really, the closer a country is, the more of a rival it becomes.

Then again, there’s Australia....

Great game and congratulations to Japan for an amazing performance.

They recycle the ball so fast and efficiently. That and their support play is winning them their games. Off loading in the tackle instead of fighting for that extra meter.

A great example of the a team being stronger than its individual components.

Congratulations Japan team, you have inspired the nation!

Why on earth is an Englishman expected to support Scotland? I thought the whole point of the “No Side” ethos was that people shouldn’t divide themselves along racial/ethnic lines.

A great win with some amazing play. I missed seeing most of the Ireland Japan game and was told Japan had been playing brilliant rugby in that, which I found a little unbelievable after their first match with Russia, but the performance last night was a real class act.

This footage of one try is amazing!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/rwc-2019-japan/116557424/rugby-world-cup-japans-offloading-wonder-try-captured-in-special-canon-footage

An exciting game, perhaps the best game of the tournament so far. Well done, Japan.

lucabrasiToday 02:47 pm JST

How has smithinjapan managed to get three downvotes? Who could possibly be upset by that?

You must be new here!

That was the first full game of rugby Id watched since the 2007 World Cup Final. It was terrific, very exciting. I think I might watch again next week.

Yesterday was the first full rugby game I ever watched, and I appreciate how brutal of a sport it is. But all the while watching, I couldn't help but sense that this team is the bridge that Japan needs to propel what may be an all-born-in-Japan squad being successful in the future. And don't get me started on that Naomi Osaka thing.

You must have found it difficult to focus on your first rugby match when you're consistently focused on three ethnic and racial background of its participants. See the flag, not the face. And celebrate Japan's great result.

Credit where it's due -- the game was played, and Japan won, fair and square. Well done. What this is doing for rugby in Japan is wonderful, and I hope more kids (and adults) become genuinely interested.

Masaharu Hirano, a 55-year-old supporter who was in the stands, attributed the win to team effort.

What other reason would there be?

Why on earth is an Englishman expected to support Scotland?

(Sarcasm Alert here; )

Because odds are the dude was Caucasian, and as everyone knows Caucasians only root for their own kind, even when they can stand them!

I have often been asked this, in regards to other sports, not England, but a different country , and it bugs the hell out of me too!

@Wobot

To misquote Churchill:

He has a lot to be respectable about!

can only be said AFTER they beat the South Africans, and next in line, more than likely that is, the All Blacks!

The All Blacks wont be counting their chickens before ... but in between the QF and the final is an semi too, don’t forget.

Japan would have to do what they did last night 3 more weeks in a row. What a story it would be though, on top of their first four matches, all won.

WAs a great game.  Japan played fantastically.  Warning though, South Africa are a way better team than Scotland.

Re: Abbey, "when is it over?"

When the 'healthy' lady sings.

Scotland played majestically against Russia, and I thought, yes, that is my image of Scottish rugby, but perhaps that kind of rugby is out-of-date now?

Yesterday was bone-crunchingly brutal. Scotland almost performed a miracle in the second half, but Japan seemed to have just enough resolve to see it through. How close it was, though, with every second seeming to take an eternity.

When is it over ? !

Don't really watch Rugby but I watched last nights game hoping Japan will beat Scotland, espeically after their complaining like babies and legal action threats if the game didn't go on, despite them agreeing to the rules before the tournament even started. Well deserved loss for them and I was greatly satisfied.

How has smithinjapan managed to get three downvotes? Who could possibly be upset by that?

@Alfie

I hear you.

Apparently, there’s a weird version of the game called “league” that some folk enjoy....

Ah_so - You must be assuming that I was fixated on the racial make up of the team during the match. As I said, I appreciate the brutality of the sport, but the team photo... Well, some of you choose to look at it one way, others look at it differently. Let's agree to disagree on the acceptability of switching nationalities for the sake of being able to compete in a sport on an international level.

Perhaps slightly worse for wear, he then gave another key reason -- that sushi is better than Scottish deep-fried food.

How much more condescending can one get! I know a few Scots that can not stand raw fish, (Japanese too btw, I know heretical) and love their country's cooking better than Japanese!

Stereotypes just get reinforced from BS comments like this!

Asked why he was supporting Japan, Wright told AFP: "Because we are English, not Scottish.

Which I suppose is a valid reason!

Bring on South Africa! I said at the start of the World Cup that the Brave Blossoms could make the Semi Final, and see what happens from there. Everyone disagreed! The team-work of the Japanese is absolutely what is taking them deep into the tournament, with a real shot at winning. Go Go Brave Blossoms!!

They haven't made the semi-finals yet, and the Springboks are not just going to lay down and let Japan win. Quite the opposite I do believe, they haven't forgotten losing to Japan, and will be out to extract their own revenge as well.

Japan is playing inspired, but a "real shot" at winning can only be said AFTER they beat the South Africans, and next in line, more than likely that is, the All Blacks!

If somehow they can overcome BOTH, then it would be the time to be talking about winning it all!

Right now, that is overly premature!

Yubaru - I know the rules. Maybe you think everyone has to agree with them, and that a team stocked with foreign talent (and a coach) for the sole purpose of beefing up rugby to make the country feel proud is OK. If that floats your boat, enjoy!

Yesterday was the first full rugby game I ever watched, and I appreciate how brutal of a sport it is. But all the while watching, I couldn't help but sense that this team is the bridge that Japan needs to propel what may be an all-born-in-Japan squad being successful in the future. Sort of like that whole "Yeah, having a Mongolian-born grand champion is nice and all, but..."

And don't get me started on that Naomi Osaka thing.

Japan is playing inspired, but a "real shot" at winning can only be said AFTER they beat the South Africans, and next in line, more than likely that is, the All Blacks!

Dare to dream, Yubaru! Must they wait until they are in the Final to dream of lifting that Cup? Nothing is Impossible with this team and their fighting spirit. That first half by the Brave Blossoms was the best rugby Ive ever seen.

Bring on South Africa! I said at the start of the World Cup that the Brave Blossoms could make the Semi Final, and see what happens from there. Everyone disagreed! The team-work of the Japanese is absolutely what is taking them deep into the tournament, with a real shot at winning. Go Go Brave Blossoms!!