RWC set to explode with riveting opening
The Japanese tapestry is about to undergo significant change, from an exotic weave of artefact and finery to the crunch and wallop of a Rugby World Cup as the tournament sets out to show that it is first and foremost compelling sport that creates lasting memories.
The cultural backdrop has been acknowledged, the ceremonial scene set but, in truth, what we crave is to see the gladiators themselves in action, the samurai with studs on.
Even old poker-face himself, All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen, admitted to a frisson on Thursday, an indicator that the veteran of four previous World Cups recognises that this is show time – the parading of talent, the testing of resolve, the spin of the wheel that can deliver woe or joy, the twin impostors in play almost each and every day.
‘‘We’re excited to be at this point,’’ Hansen said, striking a chord when he stated the ‘‘sooner the tournament starts the better’’, if only in New Zealand’s case to dampen down the peripheral echochamber that wonders if the All Blacks have become the Old Blacks, a lesser version of themselves, back-to-back champions who have popped over the other side of the hill on to the downward slope.
Today will provide an answer to that, as the two giant southern sluggers, New Zealand and South Africa, climb into the ring in Yokohama and dispute what will be the top-billing decider in Pool B.
The World Cup cannot be won on the first weekend, but history suggests it can be lost – no winners of the Webb Ellis Cup have ever been defeated in a pool game.
The champions are not the only game in town, across what is the most riveting opening schedule to grace a World Cup. Last night’s first game, Japan against Russia at the Tokyo Stadium, may not have had blue-chip status on normal fixture cards, but 40 million people were expected to tune in across this country alone.
It was a night that was 10 years in the making, an occasion only sketchily imagined when the hosting rights were won in 2009.
‘‘Everyone understands how important this event is to Japan,’’ Michael Leitch, the Brave Blossoms captain and billboard boy from the 2015 World Cup, said.
Not only is this the most competitive World Cup ever with six, perhaps seven, genuine contenders, it has also been set up to hit viewers in the eye with several fixtures that would not be out of place in the knockout stages.
Perhaps this is a sign of nervousness among organisers that a tournament held in a nontraditional territory might be perceived somehow as flaky and under-clubbed if it did not grab the attention from the first whistle.
Take your pick thereafter: Australia against Fiji, a riot of movement; Argentina versus France, a nerve-shredder for the loser in the toughest of the pools alongside England, who put their bodies as well as credentials on the line in Sapporo tomorrow, a few hours before Ireland face Scotland.
Then Wales make their bow on Monday with Rob Howley’s expulsion still reverberating. Warren Gatland, though, is a master when it comes to dealing with difficulty.
Much as they would not wish to be so challenged, there is a sense that Wales might dig even deeper.
England have been in the Lotus Land of Miyazaki, all lush and steamy before, suitably enough, encountering the chillier climes of Sapporo in Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido.
A World Cup is no place for selfindulgence and England are aware that, even though tomorrow’s opposition, Tonga, were beaten 92-7 by the All Blacks recently, there will be a hard-edged, muscular tone to every contact.
England ought not to be unduly troubled by either Tonga or the fast-improving USA four days later in Kobe. But Argentina and France are wholly different propositions. Either could give England a bloody nose. Eddie Jones will be judged on how far England get.
A semifinal (against the All Blacks, perhaps) is the minimum requirement. So much has been invested in this campaign, so much of Jones himself, that it would be crushing for all concerned if they were to come up short once again.
It is such a rite of passage to salute New Zealand’s hegemony at the start of a World Cup that you have to remind yourself that it is actually Ireland who head the world rankings – 12 months ago there would have been no such oversight. Ireland can allay any anxieties with a rousing opener against Scotland.
It is time for defining acts from the star turns, belligerent defiance from the underdogs and, yes, another Brighton Miracle would be welcome. Some 400,000 overseas fans are expected. A treat awaits.
– The Daily Telegraph