Matsushima treble ignites Japan fervour
Never mind concerns about Japan’s ability to host a Rugby World Cup. Any reservations on that front were answered long ago. What mattered for the 45,745 crowd was to see in the flesh the ability of the Brave Blossoms not just to win on such a high-profile stage, but to play with the sort of conviction and flair that would trouble the Big Boys, the top-eight brotherhood of the knockout stages.
That is Japan’s stated goal, to transcend their plucky underdog tag of Brighton four years ago and have enough poise, punch and precision to trouble the likes of Ireland (whom they meet in Shizuoka next Saturday) or Scotland later in the pool, to make the miracle of 2015 into the norm of 2019.
On this evidence, Japan have plenty of zip and relish in their game, some lovely offloading skills with centre Timothy Lafaele to the fore and potency out wide in wing Kotaro Matsushima, who scored a hat-trick, had a fourth disallowed and sent shivers through the Russian defence. Fittingly the poster boy of the evening touched down for the allimportant fourth bonus-point try in the 69th minute.
In that regard, it was an upbeat outcome for Japan. And yet. It was not a complete performance by Japan, not a word-perfect audition for the grand stage. Admirably defiant though they were, gutsy and heartfelt in all that they did, Russia are rank outsiders and Japan laboured at times to subdue them. Japan still carry the air of a side striving rather than arriving, are still too frantic, too rushed, too vulnerable when they come under pressure. They were woeful under the high ball, out of position entirely, never mind having butter fingers. Johnny Sexton would send them into therapy if they continue to perform like that.
You have to factor in first-night nerves, but if you cannot handle the kicking game at elite level, you will forever be an also-ran, full of pluck and sprightliness, but lacking composure and assurance. It was a high-ball horror story for Japan. Full-back Will Tupou will be fretting in his sleep after his fifthminute howler allowed wing Kirill Golosnitsky in for a soft try, the quickest ever scored in a World Cup opener. Japan were pretty dreadful, too, at restarts, even fluffing the take from the kick-off.
Japan should welcome the criticism, for it means they are being judged by elevated criteria. The benchmark has to be set high. As their former coach Eddie Jones has said, repeating Brighton is not good enough. They have to dream big, back it up with something better.
A new star, though, has risen in the East – Matsushima, with his lovely balance, acceleration and a voracious appetite for the try-line. The 26-year-old ignited a roar every time the ball went near him. Born in South Africa to Japanese parents, he will be a billboard figure in the coming days; a star turn that draws the eye and gives the country great hope. On the night, he was a finisher par excellence, scoring Japan’s first ever hat-trick in a World Cup, a notch on the belt to show the grandchildren.
Matsushima had a receptive audience. It was a lively, lovely backdrop, stands packed with raucous, engaged people, all kitted out in red and white, all willing to make sure this World Cup is a triumph.
Matsushima reflects this multiethnic Japan squad, 16 of whom were born outside the country. By one measure, all Japan’s try scorers had a South African connection as Matsushima’s birthplace is Pretoria, while the other scorer has a more readily identifiable link. Pieter Labuschagne touched down in the 48th minute.
Matsushima returned to Japan to be schooled before becoming the first player from Japan to be taken on by the Sharks Academy in Durban, later playing Super Rugby for the Waratahs in Australia.
He plays with the boldness of one who has been nurtured in the more expansive climes of Super Rugby, forever alert, in the right place at the right time, as he showed when rounding off a splendid sequence in the 12th minute, Lafaele’s offload a thing of beauty. And again just before half-time, taking advantage this time of Ryoto Nakamura’s flickon pass. His hat-trick try was suitably full of brio for he cuts quite a dash on the field, Matsushima targeting his man and zipping round. It was a bravura performance.
Of course, the match was only one part of the occasion, an affirmation of the Japanese spirit that was reflected in an evocatively choreographed opening ceremony.
It was the crowd thrilling to the sight of Matsushima stretching his legs, weaving and diving for glory, that stuck in the memory. No wonder they rose to him and to the Brave Blossoms, staying long after the final whistle to salute their heroes as they did a turn of the ground. Matsushima has made them believe anything is possible. For one night, at least.
Scores Japan Russia Referee