Japan have their place in history
WORLD RUGBY CHIEF: ‘WE CAN ALL BE VERY PROUD’
The first Rugby World Cup hosted in Asia opened yesterday in a packed Tokyo Stadium, as the game seeks to tap into a new fanbase beyond its traditional heartlands in Europe and the southern hemisphere.
A sea of fans decked out in the red and white jerseys of the host team cheered on performers at the opening ceremony, a sound and light show fused with traditional Japanese cultural references and rugby history.
Children representing the 20 competing teams belted out the World Rugby anthem “World in Union” before former All Black skipper Richie McCaw brought in the glittering Webb Ellis Cup that New Zealand hope to win for an unprecedented third straight edition.
Prince Akishino officially declared the tournament open, with World Rugby chief Bill Beaumont saying: “This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for... We can all be very proud tonight. You have made history.”
The global rugby showpiece will also serve as a tasty amusebouche for Japan as it prepares to host the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.
Much will depend on the success of the home team, which gets the tournament underway on Friday with what should be a routine win against Russia.
Japan served up the biggest shock in World Cup history in 2015 when they beat the mighty Springboks 34-32 in a match dubbed the “miracle of Brighton” that has even inspired a movie.
This time, however, no one is taking the Brave Blossoms lightly and they will do well to achieve their goal of reaching their first ever quarterfinal by getting out of a pool dominated by Ireland and Scotland.
The All Blacks remain the team to beat and their crunch encounter with South Africa on Saturday will go a long way to determining the outcome of Pool B – and maybe the next home of the Webb Ellis Cup.
Ireland come into the competition as the world’s No 1 side, but they often flatter to deceive when it comes to the World Cup and have never ventured beyond the quarterfinals.
Much rests on the shoulders of star flyhalf Jonny Sexton who at 34 is no longer in the first flush of youth and has suffered an alarming dip in form.
England, coached by Eddie Jones – who led Japan to that famous win over the Springboks – will also fancy their chances but they have been drawn in a tough Pool C alongside bitter Six Nations rivals France and the ever-dangerous Argentina.
Jones named a full-strength team for the opening match against Tonga, showing he is not taking the Pacific Islanders lightly.