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rugby world cup 2019

Japan stun world No. 2 Ireland with 19-12 victory at Rugby World Cup

39 Comments
By Rich Freeman

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39 Comments
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I don’t know what to say. Awesome stuff!!!

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Unbelievable! The Miracle in Shizuoka! Well played, Brave Blossoms, WELL PLAYED! The defense was too tough for Ireland. Attack was amazing.

I said it before and I say it again, Brave Blossoms can aim for the Semi Final, and take it from there. I know I will get down voted again for saying it, but Japan is hungry for success!

Party time, I wish I was on the streets of Shizuoka!!

14 ( +17 / -3 )

This wonderful victory will build up the Japanese team's self-confidence and, hopefully, lead to more great victories. Congratulations!

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Still can’t believe this!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Followed the game online from overseas. Was surprised to see the 12-9 score at end of first half. Figured that would be good enough even should Japan they lose. Then suddenly they are winning! Wish I could have watched it.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Amazing. I really didn't think that Japan could pull off another miracle.

Of course, if you keep doing miracles, it's no longer a miracle is it - it's just normal. If Japan beat Scotland as well - a team much weaker than Ireland, then they have a credible claim to three top table of rugby.

Ireland showed that without Sexton they are a much weaker proposition.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

Well done for Japan!

The Irish just  were NOT able to execute much Japan kept shutting them down! And THEN the momentum shifted!!

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Fantastic, amazing, wonderful match to watch. CONGRATULATIONS JAPAN!

10 ( +10 / -0 )

Brave Blossoms should now top Table A, and avoid the difficult Best 8 knock out with All Blacks. Samoa and Scotland are very worried now!

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Couldn't care less about rugby, but this news makes me happy because I just know my niece and nephews in Chubu were glued to the TV for the game and danced all around the living room for 15 minutes after the victory.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

What an absolute shambolic disaster. Ruined my night.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Well done lads.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Yes, great result, but you know what Japan? It’s a disgrace that every game is not on celestial TV. Certainly not in Okinawa. The South Africa v Nambia game is only on J-Sports.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Fun times!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The Irish coach sounds like a foreigner...

0 ( +3 / -3 )

What an absolute shambolic disaster. Ruined my night.

I must admit I wanted Ireland to win ( my mum is from Ireland ) but credit where it is due.

Japan deserved this.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

As an Irish man that hurt but Japan played fantastically. They were relentless.

At least I won the who can drink more beers contest with my local Japanese.

Every cloud has a silver lining

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Maybe it's the Saturday afternoon nomihodai I just had watching this live, but did Japan just beat Ireland in RWC..?? I cannot believe how this is being underplayed in the media??

This is by far the greatest giant killing in rugby history, let alone rugby world cup history. The beating of South Africa pales in comparison (the Springboks were a poor team then and Ireland are world number 2).

Japan were superb on the front foot and surprisingly Ireland did not stop Japan's forwards on the gain line.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Well done,  ̶T̶o̶n̶g̶a̶ ̶S̶a̶m̶o̶a̶ ̶N̶e̶w̶ ̶Z̶e̶a̶l̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶S̶o̶u̶t̶h̶ ̶A̶f̶r̶i̶c̶a̶ ̶K̶o̶r̶e̶a̶ ̶A̶u̶s̶t̶r̶a̶l̶i̶a̶ Japan!

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I am now paying for my over confidence.....

I was expecting Japan to pull off one shock during the rugby, but I didn't expect them to pull it off against my home country. So now I have one very happy (and annoying) wife.......

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Boy, this put a smile on my face. Congratulations Japan !

If Japan can keep it up, perhaps we'll see Japan vs. the Boks, Ireland vs. The All Blacks in the quarter finals. Just hope they don't get complacent with their remaining matches.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

KariHaruka Japanese wife's are always annoying haha. Actually my Japanese wife is so sad Japan beat us Irish.

But she is weird as well as annoying!!!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Watching in the pub in London. Disbelief all round. Amazing job, Japan!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

amazing victory congratulations Japan BUT what,s with this schedule?! it,s saturday but not everyone is free during the day. how about saturday night? i couldn,t watch it and guess what, no fun. considering it was Japan (home team), they should,ve played at night. any kind of entertainment (show, game, etc.) is supposed the be at night especially on a saturday night...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Brilliant,Brilliant, Brilliant. Watched from start to finish and pleased i didn't. Thanks to everyone on Japan Today leaving such wonderful comments for a change :) Apart from Zichi who has to put a sarcastic downer on it. Go on Blossoms.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Looks like the banter which is part of what makes sport fun is not acceptable.

I appreciate digs against my side if they are funny.

Sad.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

KariHaruka Japanese wife's are always annoying haha. Actually my Japanese wife is so sad Japan beat us Irish.

But she is weird as well as annoying!!!

@buchailldana

It's what I deserve haha. I was so certain of an Irish win and I went into the game very merry. But it's just a bit of light hearted banter between the both of us who happen to be rugby fans.

And I can happily admit that Japan were the better side and most certainly deserved that win. They gave a cracking game of rugby and it makes me happy to see the amount of progress being made in rugby on this side of the world.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Yes, great result, but you know what Japan? It’s a disgrace that every game is not on celestial TV. Certainly not in Okinawa. The South Africa v Nambia game is only on J-Sports.

Exactly! I was on a long drive home and planned to have it on the car TV but it wasn't on. However, last week, they showed games like Argentina vs France on regular TV. I don't get the TV schedule. Shouldn't they broadcast the game for the entire country to see as this was the biggest game on Japan's schedule?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RbylEEBLdQ

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well done, Japan! Defense was superb. Impeccable forcing of penalties allowed them to showcase how good their kicking is, too. Good job! I mean it. Now everyone is on the back foot wondering how best to combat a team that has been working on clamping the ball to the offenses chest and obviously is not up for a fight. Boring, but a winning formula nonetheless. Yay.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I never gave them a chance of going past the pool stage but might have to put the humble pie in the oven and start warming it up....playing like that they deserve a quarter final for sure. Superb rugby.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Isn't it good that Japan beat the Ranked Best team, won't that encourage more interest in the Game within Japan, and other Nations in the area ?

3 ( +4 / -1 )

@mmwkdw Japan has a good, strong hardcore of rugger fans & players. The problem is they've never been able to compete with the power. If they can turn over Scotland and get to the QF then it has to be seen as mission accomplished.

As for Ireland, a year ago they were possibly the only team that could challenge the ABs. Now they look suspect in a physical game.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

That really was an incredible defensive effort by the Japanese team.

The World End pub where I was in Ueno was packed for it, so too was Clann in Jiyugaoka, according to friends. Absolutely amazing atmosphere and the Irish were incredibly gracious defeat.

Japan now need to really focus on Scotland and Samoa if they’re to go through to the quarterfinals.

scotland are far better than what they showed last Sunday. I can’t wait

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Japan attacked and Ireland crumbled. The running rugby played in the Super Rugby comp was such great preparation for playing the power game. And with Gardener they had the perfect ref to allow it to happen; offsides were dealt with, space was given, attack flourished.

Who must face NZ (and likely elimination) in the QFs is going to be very interesting. Can Japan maintain this form against a wounded Scotland and a heavy hitting Samoa? Can't wait

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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