rugby world cup 2019

S African power ends Japan's run at Rugby World Cup

32 Comments
By Ossian Shine

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© Thomson Reuters 2019.

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32 Comments
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No shame at all, the brave blossoms should be very proud!!!! Well Done I salute you all!!! Amazing.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Japan played so well. In the first half, they were totally on the attack. A great match, and one that will place Japan in good footing for the future. I really hope Rugby takes off in Japan as a result, as we see Japan catapulted as a Tier 1 Rugby Country.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Could have been 50 points if the Saffers knew how to catch a ball. Great effort by the Blossoms, but they were on their chinstraps in the 2nd half.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

No need to be embarrassed about that, South Africa are one of the rugby powerhouses.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Congratulations to South Africa. There's no shame in losing to such a team, and great on Japan and its fans making it this far.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Could it have been any other way?

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Well done Brave Blossoms. While I am real sad they lost, they played so well tonight, and brilliantly in the tournament. Now, Brave Blossoms are ranked 6 in the world. They have arrived as a Tier 1 team, and gained the respect and admiration of the world.

Leitch-san and Joseph-san are Legends now in Japan.

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

Japan fell apart after the first couple of minutes. Sloppy defense, mostly slow and obvious passes, and terrible at getting the ball when thrown in.

The afternoon match was much more exciting to watch!

13 ( +14 / -1 )

The one thing about Rugby, is that it shows the true "Sportsmanship" in people. Notice how the Players, even through they may be at logger-heads to one-another during the intensity of the game, at the end, are relaxed and show each other respect.

Rugby, no body armor, pure brawn and quick thinking, purely high testosterone. Pure Sport at it's best.

Japan, has joined the ranks of real sport at last and is showing that it can compete honestly and honorably. They are a team to watch in future, and I wish them the best.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

The question now is... will the other Asian Countries wake up to this "Real" "Sport", or seeing Japan do so well, are they afraid of loosing face.

Rugby, isn't an "American" game.... it's not "Politically" focused, but focused upon the Sport itself! Look at the RU website for more information,.

https://www.world.rugby/

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Nothing to be ashamed of japan, still a great rwc.

Barnes had a poor game though; many other refs would have given Beast a red card for that spear tackle. Then the poor bloke spent the whole game trying to compensate & turned a blind eye to Japan's infractions (could have had a couple of yellows).

Anyway, best team won but 15 vs 14 for 70min would have been a different game.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Well played Japan. An impressive RWC run. They have already made history by making it to the quarter-finals and should be proud of what they have achieved. Japan have been nothing less than magnificent this WC. Nevertheless, this game showed just how tough the South African defence was. Like Spartacus' final battle, like Leonidas at Thermopylae, we always knew that this would be the end of the road. Well played boys. See you in four years. お疲れさまでした。

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

A shame, but the Japan team had a great run and did everyone in the country proud.

They also play a very attractive pass-heavy backs-focused game that will win new fans to the sport. It's much more exciting and easier to understand that power teams whose forwards win games at the breakdown.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan certainly has done the game proud in this tournament.

Pity they couldn't keep up the momentum in this match, but the difference in levels became more and more evident as the game wore on.

That rolling maul in the 2nd half resulting in a try by SA was simply astonishing.

But rugby now has a power base in Japan to work and grow on. Should be an exciting next 4 years for the lcal rugby industry.

One disappointment after the game I was hoping to catch a glimpse / interview with the man o the match, the little Faf de Klerk. He seems a fun guy with a big smile.

But no - NHK didn't offer one minute to the victory. Commentary on World Sports still has a way to go in Japan.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I hope one day there would other Asian countries that would be contesting in Rugby World Cup. We Malaysians are really into football although the old boys from Premier / old boarding schools in my country plays rugby. We even have Cobra Seven each year but, not many people are into rugby. My colleague just couldn't believed it that I watch and favour rugby more than football. Told him I love watching sportsmen playing sport rather than behaving like diva in the field. Maybe there would be more regional rugby Cup in the future, who knows.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@browny

Some good points there, that rolling maul was indeed a thing of beauty. The rugby 7s is here for the Olympics next year, so hopefully the locals will get into the spirit of the madness that is going to watch a day of that.

But rugby now has a power base in Japan to work and grow on.

I do fear it will all be forgotten quite quickly. I expect my colleagues to be asking me in a few weeks, "So who eventually won it?". Also, for rugby to develop they also have to learn how to cultivate that rarest of plants called 'grass'. Can't chase eggs on gravel grounds for very long.

the little Faf de Klerk

That was a scrum half masterclass, he's fast on his feet and hits like a hammer.

Looking forward to a couple of pulsating semis (ahem) next weekend. An ABs v SA final looks likely, but I would not be surprised one bit if England & Wales upset them.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Japan crumbled at their first serious opposition. Predictable.

-8 ( +5 / -13 )

Japan blown away in the second half but a great WC overall.

Well done lads.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Japan crumbled at their first serious opposition. Predictable.

Harsh! They beat Ireland, one of the best in the world, and Scotland, one of the best teams north of England.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

After the first half I was Walter Mittying Japan moving on, then defeating Wales and then England in the finals. Japan defeats Ireland, Scotland, Wales, then England. Wow!!

The Elite Eight is quite an accomplishment.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Leitch-san and Joseph-san are Legends now in Japan

What about the rest of the team...?

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Japan did extremely well. Very honorable and respectful as true talented players throughout the entire game keeping the game clean, honorable and non sportsmanlike. IMO Japan beat itself. The scoreboard gave the win to SA, but they know that the real game was won by Japan where it counts, the fans and Japan didn't have to lower its standards to get a V. That right is a true caliber of a future champion team. Way to go Japan you have really put a mark on the game that Japan belongs and can hang with the big boys. After seeing the tournament forget US American football with all the drama. This was pure raw talent in the field. I hope the League keeps it this way as it is one of the few remaining honorable sports left. Thanks...

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

After an explosive, exciting start the Blossoms quickly wilted up against African brawn. They were unable to score tries because they didn't enjoy ball possession and the South Africans soon sussed out their well-rehearsed choreography. Still, the Japanese side put on a creditable performance. Let's hope the future teams can build on what these players have been able to achieve.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

The players deserve and are getting a lot of credit, but some must go to the coaches as well. They are a very creative and well drilled team. The Japanese soccer team too has fast and skillful players, but they do not play with the same expressiveness and positivity.

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

Japan has had a long history with the sport of rugby as shown in a recent NHK program. They had innovative coaching techniques that were ahead of their time, including emphasis on speed and movent that countered their opponents size advantage. This is how Japan's national team shockingly beat the Junior All Blacks in a match in the early 70s. They also gave the English national team all they could handle before losing in the final minutes in a match in Japan in 1971.

It is true the Japanese national team then faded for many years before showing signs of resurgence the past decade. But anyone that denigrates Japanese rugby or its fans shows how clueless and ignorant they really are about the history of the sport in the country.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/394550-japan-rugby-brave-blossoms-not-wilting-wannabes

-4 ( +5 / -9 )

Harsh! They beat Ireland, one of the best in the world, and Scotland, one of the best teams north of England.

A withering put down!

But not long ago, it would have been unthinkable that Japan could have beaten Scotland.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

The Brave Blossoms put up a fight, particularly in the first half but they were always going to be outplayed, outgunned, and outmanoeuvred by the Springboks. In fact the scoreline could have been much worse than this if the boks had been a little more focused and not dropping passes the way they did. This beautiful run by Japan in World Rugby Cup was always gonna come to an end. They lost to a better side.

Congratulations to SA, better luck next time to Japan.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

As a Kenyan - now American, who played rugby for the Kenyans 7s and the national team back -in-the-day, I say in KiSwahili - Asante Sana Japan, that is, Thank You very much Japan!

You, Japan, were my favorite team to watch during this 2019 Rugby WC! Today, SA were the better team!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Japan played well.

Japan lost.

End of story.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I'm a Springbok supporter whose blood runs green. I believe we beat the best side at this year's RWC. Japan, you have been a phenomenon, showing the world that there is a new way to play the game, both on and off the field. I hope to see your team in the Rugby Championship very soon. You made 50 million people nervous at half time, not just our coach and players. Much respect! You've earned many fans here in South Africa.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Japan was a great fun to watch in this 2019 Rugby World Cup. They played entertaining rugby. Their style was Rugby 7's, running, fast offloading, at the end they run of steam, their style is very physically demanding. GREAT TOURNAMENT!!!!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japan team was very lucky. Springboks were very sloppy at various times.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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