Everyone is watching us now, says proud Japan coach Joseph

Japan can hold their heads up high.

I never expected them to beat my team or top Pool A (I'm Irish). But they did, and they did it with some very beautiful rugby!

Their games were exciting to watch and I am just as excited to see the continued growth of not only the national team but also all levels. From grassroots rugby up to the professional teams. By the 2023 RWC it would be amazing to see even more progression and hopefully also an invitation to the Rugby Championship for frequent games against NZ, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.

"Everyone is watching us now..."

@smithinjapan - I think what Joseph is referring to is that now the rugby world is paying attention to Japan. Japan are now a real force, and hopefully this will continue with better opportunities.

As far as people actually now watching the tournament... well that's different and I tend to agree with you. Let's face it, Japan doing so well made the tournament interesting. Not just for Japan but for everyone with an interest in rugby. Now that they're out, it's back to the traditional powerhouse nations. Unless you're from one of those nations you probably aren't that fussed anymore...

It's still one of those once-every-four-years-sports for me. It's right up there with ski jumping. I have a feeling a lot of Japanese fans will feel the same.

South Africa was waaaay to strong and too big for Japan but Japan kept them at bay in the first half. No matter they lost, they performed outstanding throughout the entire tournament, I hope now that the older players are leaving they continue this spirit with the newer generation.

I personally have become a rugby fan. Shame im too old otherwise i would try to join an amateur club.

Too bad though that NZ and England were in the same playoff bracket. That would have been a much more entertaining Final.

@Yesterday - my mistake. For some reason I thought South Africa and New Zealand would be playing against each other to reach the finals. I realize this is not the case.

The guy that got the red card for France must be feeling really bad at this time.....

These kinds of international sporting successes where Japan surprises the world and makes people sit up and notice it for a moment, always gets the Japanese as a nation going. They love nothing more than to shine on the world stage. But once the attention is gone the majority turn back to usual programming as is happening right now.

My hope this time is that some have been converted to the sport and will keep watching, And for the team, that they get to enter the rugby championship, and the domestic competition grows to be taken seriously alongside baseball and soccer. Lets see.

I saw the first half at a restaurant. I was surprised to see South Africa drop the ball so many times. Obviously they stopped dropping the ball in the second half.

I am sure the rugby union is thrilled as well. They want to expand in the Asian market, and what better way to bring in new Japanese fans than for the team to do well?

Some challenges are still facing Japan:

https://www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk/sport/national/17981463.erasmus-plays-chances-exciting-japan-joining-rugby-championship/

Great for them and Japan! It's nice to see Japan rising up in rugby again.

A tremendous performance considering that Japanese rugby is still largely an amateur sport. Well done to the players and coaches!

On another note, the star player of the tournament so far has to be the Kiwi lad with the mullet. He looks like he just stepped out of a 1985 movie and said, "I'm never cutting it off, it helps me run faster." Cool.

They punched well above their weight, fast entertaining rugby , hopefully expose rugby in this country more and take it to the next level..

"Everyone is watching us now..."

Well, yes and no. Japan did very well, and as has been stated above, they more than deserve to hold their heads high. It is also a great thing for the nation itself, and the people of Asia in terms of looking forward in rugby.

That said, no, not everyone is watching now. When Japan beat Ireland, Samoa, and then Scotland (in particular the first and last of those three, and to a lesser extent with Russia as well) it is the ONLY thing you could see on television. The replays of all games before every game, the replays after games, in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Now, you can't. There were a few highlights in the news, but it immediately switched back to baseball highlights. One of my colleagues, who hated rugby a couple of months ago, said this morning, "Rugby was great! I enjoyed it. Japan did well." I mentioned that it was still ongoing and the best games were likely yet to come, and asked when the next one would be broadcast. He said he didn't know, and wouldn't be watching.

So, no, not everyone is watching... many have shut off their TVs now that Japan is out. Hopefully, many more ARE in fact continuing to watch (if it's broadcast, still). I am glad this latter group has become interested in the sport if they were not before... especially the kids.

Overall...great job Japan.

As for last night's match I believe South Africa dominated Japan more than the score actually reveals. As someone else posted, there were several instances in the first half where South Africa made mistakes (at least 6) and Japan failed to capitalize. The second half South Africa dominated.

I think Japan was completely over matched in this particular match and I think the All Blacks vs. South Africa may end up being the best match of the whole World Cup.

South Africa looks very good

I hope Japan keeps moving forward and improving. If they continue to do so at this rate they will be in the final four some day.

I think Japan was completely over matched in this particular match and I think the All Blacks vs. South Africa may end up being the best match of the whole World Cup.

One step at a time! Both teams have to win once more before they play again. England will be tough for the ABs & Wales won't be easy for the Boks. Anything can happen.

I dream of the two British teams in the final, but I doubt it'll happen.