Japanese have captivated world
RENAISSANCE: THEY’RE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH
Japan were beaten up and bundled out of the World Cup on Sunday but whatever happens over the next two weeks will have to be pretty special for the Brave Blossoms to be displaced as the symbol of the ninth edition of the tournament.
Their run to the quarterfinals has led to an explosion of interest in the game beyond the realms of the imagination of even the most optimistic World Rugby executive.
From the thousands of redand-white clad fans in Tokyo Stadium for Sunday’s match against the Springboks to the tens of millions more watching on TV up and down the country, the Brave Blossoms have captivated a nation.
Chants of “Nippon! Nippon! Nippon!” echoed around the streets of the southern city of Oita on Sunday night as locals joined the Wales, England, France and Australia fans in town to watch the match.
With the city’s fan zone packed beyond capacity, multinational groups of fans huddled in groups around TVs wherever they could find them.
There were tears from local fans to echo those of the Japan players after the 26-3 loss to the twice world champions but that disappointment was replaced quickly by pride at a remarkable achievement.
“Dear Japan World Cup rugby squad, thank you so, so much for giving us much enthusiasm,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Twitter.
“The whole month was like a dream. Proud to be in the last eight. I am very proud of your showing real strength against the world’s best teams at Asia’s first Rugby World Cup.”
The Japanese national team could arguably do with a new nickname because, although there was no shortage of courage on display as they took on the hulking Springboks on Sunday, it was outstanding rugby that got them to their first quarterfinal.
That a nation humiliated 145-17 by New Zealand at the 1995 World Cup could beat teams with long and proud rugby traditions such as Ireland, Scotland and Samoa was testament to their hard work over the past five years.
These were not fluke wins, moreover, but deserved victories earned by a team playing an irresistible game at a blistering pace with fierce commitment and skill.
“Undoubtedly the strongest and best, wonderful team, and the 31 here are the most wonderful players in the history (of Japanese rugby),” flyhalf Yu Tamura said on Sunday.
Coach Jamie Joseph’s future is uncertain but, whatever he decides, he is convinced his team have left a legacy that will endure.
“The rugby hasn’t changed, but now there’s been an audience,” he said. “It’s created a voice for the team in that respect and hopefully that will give momentum to the kids, and that’s ideal.”