Japan’s time to shine as rugby host
Rugby’s newest frontier has opened its doors to the world – and the timing could not be better.
Japan is a country still searching for its competitive rugby home but gets the chance over the next couple of months to demonstrate it palpably deserves one.
If it can host the sport’s grandest event with the efficiency, enthusiasm and special brand of effervescence that seems set to unfold, then surely someone round a boardroom somewhere will issue the invitation it needs to take the next step in its global emergence.
But first things first. Job one is to host the sport’s biggest party. Do that well and it is to be hoped that other things may fall into place.
So far, so good on that front, too. The 20 finest teams on the planet have gathered in this Asian economic stronghold to duke it out for the right to call themselves world champions, and the signs have been hugely encouraging.
Japan may not be wanted in Sanzaar’s flagship competitions – a decision that has as much to do with geography as it does rugby ability –
but it appears ready to put on one heck of a show in the first Rugby World Cup to be held on this continent.
Heads have been turned. Eyebrows raised. There were 15,000 local folk at a Wales training session in the southern Japanese city of Kitakyushu. Then they proceeded to belt out that country’s national anthem in a gesture that brought tears to grown men’s eyes.
The All Blacks, too, have been wowed in their pretournament training base in Kashiwa, from the group of kids performing a haka in front of the players to the fans who queued for hours just to get an autograph from the tournament’s back-to-back champions and title favourites.
‘‘It’s been awesome,’’ said All Blacks coach Steve Hansen of his team’s experience leading into today’s pivotal tournament opener against the Springboks in Yokohama.
‘‘The camp was outstanding, the people were great, the facilities they’ve provided have been fantastic and the food is not bad .. it’s pretty good actually, it’s just making sure you don’t eat too much of it.
‘‘When you come to a tournament like this, if you come to one it’s a career highlight. This is my fifth and it’s still a career highlight. It’s the same everywhere you go. It’s just a privilege, and the weather is fantastic. Even when it rains, it’s warm.’’
It is due to bucket it down this weekend around Tokyo and Yokohama but surely not on the parade that is set to unfold.
After the scene-setting JapanRussia tournament opener, tonight’s seismic All Blacks-Boks matchup is fit to be the final itself. Australia-Fiji and FranceArgentina complete a blockbusting Super Saturday, and the intensity will hardly let up tomorrow when Ireland and Scotland headline a day three lineup that will also see England flex their muscle against the feisty Tongans.
Close to half a million supporters are set to arrive in these isles over the next six or seven weeks. World Rugby is rubbing its hands together over the economic windfall about to unfold. Japan, remember, is a nation of 120 million and untold wealth. If rugby takes hold of its hearts over the next month or so, finding somewhere to play may be a formality. Now, though, it’s time to play ball. For the superpowers to fight out what’s tipped to be the most competitive global tournament yet. Hansen’s All Blacks are shooting for history in the form of a third straight title. But the nation of Japan is out to achieve something much more important.