Japan opens Rugby World Cup campaign with 42-12 win over Chile

Congrats to the Brave Blossoms on opening their World Cup ledger! A good, solid hit-out and a comfortable win. There is absolutely no reason Japan cannot aim to defeat England next Sunday, and likely progress to the Quater Finals.

Shout out also to Chile - their first World Cup and they gave all they could against a far stronger team.

Referees are getting strict for this World Cup

A good, strong performance and solid start to the tournament by the Brave Blossoms.

Also, a very well played game by Chile. The score doesn't reflect the heart and determination that they played with throughout the game, and I hope that this will be the beginnings of another competitive team from South America.

There is absolutely no reason Japan cannot aim to defeat England next Sunday, and likely progress to the Quater Finals.

Agreed. I'm going to be there in Nice, in my England shirt; will be interesting.

If not England, Argentina maybe looking juicy for the Blossoms to take them through.

Blossoms top of the pool with the bonus point. Great!!

Rugby seems to take a relaxed view towards what country you can play for but if they want to represent japan good for them. It's nice to see a multi cultural team representing japan

a strong showing for their first outing, a good match

Too early to judge how good this Japan team really is… Chile isn’t much of an opponent but I feel they played well even if the score line doesn’t reflect it. After the second game things might become clearer if this Japan team can go the distance.

WELL DONE JAPAN !!!...

GO JAPAN !!!..

Carpslidy....

Rugby seems to take a relaxed view towards what country you can play for but if they want to represent japan good for them. It's nice to see a multi cultural team representing japan

The eligibility rules for rugby are one of the following, birth, a parent or grandparent or residency of 5 years (used to be 3) Japan has wealthy team sponsors in Toshiba, Kobe steel, Ricoh etc that bring quality players to Japan. It is this residency rule that allows 12 of the 23 man squad to play for Japan yesterday. Personally I think it is a stupid rule but Japan didn't make it. Other teams also benefit. England have two, Scotland 3, Italy three..

But no team fills its 33 man squad with sixteen like Japan. All of the Chile team were Chileans, two born in Argentina to Chilean parents. The move to 5 years from three will help but still many dedicated players are missing the chance to play for their country, and teams like Tonga and Samoa lose players to other countries teams.

I enjoyed that match. Well done to both teams and congratulations to Japan.

Japan will have to be better on the tackle if they are going to use a rush defence. Their tackle success rate was 76% (Chile's was 77%) and the Condors beat 27 defenders.

Also, some of Japan's decision making was off to me. Especially in the first half they forewent easily kickable penalties for mauls off the lineout, which weren't successful. But hey. No one's asking me to captain Japan so what do I know? Still, I do enjoy their (and the Chileans') desire to play running rugby.

Definitely some things to work on for the next few games.

and teams like Tonga and Samoa lose players to other countries teams.

Sure, but that's personal choice in a lot of cases. The choice between staying at home and possibly playing for your own country or chasing the money at the rich overseas clubs, eventually becoming eligible to play for that country's national team. I get that money is an incredibly strong motivator and hard to pass up for many players, especially from places like those you mention.

In a good move, I think, World Rugby removed the 'capture' rule, meaning that three years after playing for one international team, a player can then play for another. That's why we are seeing lots of ex-Wallabies and All Blacks and so on playing for the Pacific Island teams in this World Cup. For example, Tonga has four ex-All Blacks, and an ex-Wallaby (could have been more but for injury) in their squad.

Hawk....

In a good move, I think, World Rugby removed the 'capture' rule, meaning that three years after playing for one international team, a player can then play for another. 

Agreed, this is a good move to level the playing field and help out the "Island" teams.

I would like to see a limit on the "residency rule" players. Maybe cap them to three or three on the field at one time. A team fielding more than half is a mockery.