Leitch: Win was for everyone who suffered in the typhoon
Captain praises massive efforts to get match on Japan go into knockout stages without any fear
Japan captain Michael Leitch dedicated his side’s historic victory over Scotland to everyone who had suffered the devastating effects of Typhoon Hagibis.
It took an astonishing effort just for the match to be played at the Yokohama International Stadium after nearly a metre of rainfall was recorded around Tokyo in 24 hours. Jamie Joseph’s side duly delivered an astonishing performance to reach the quarter-finals for the first time. They will face South Africa at the Tokyo Stadium on Sunday.
It felt like a cathartic victory coming so soon after the typhoon. At least 26 people lost their lives, 18 people are missing and dozens more injured after the most powerful storm in more than 60 years struck Japan on Saturday. Almost as soon as the Brave Blossoms finished their on-pitch celebrations, an emotional Leitch made a point of remembering those who has been affected by the typhoon.
“For those suffering from the typhoon, this was for you guys,” Leitch said. “Before the match started, at the team hotel, the players already knew how this game was more than just us, that a lot of people suffered in the typhoon for this game to happen. There were guys up late last night with sponges. We are grateful for the opportunity to inspire Japan and we showed that for 80 minutes tonight.”
A minute’s silence was held before the match to remember the victims of the typhoon and some players admitted that they harboured doubts as to whether the game should go ahead. “There are a lot of people who are suffering from the typhoon and there was a moment where we wondered if we should be playing a game,” Kotaro Matsushima said. “I thought the biggest message that we can put out is a win and I am glad that we could deliver that.”
The build-up to the game was partly overshadowed by Scottish Rugby’s threat to sue World Rugby if the match was cancelled. In the event, Scotland were eliminated fair and square on the pitch, but the threat of legal action before an impending natural disaster left a sour taste in many people’s mouths.
“It puts a lot of stuff in perspective,” Luke Thompson, the Japan second row, said. “There was a lot of talk about whether the match should go on. Then there was talk of people suing World Rugby and there were people out there losing their lives, losing their homes.
“This is just sport, we are not curing cancer. We’re sportsmen and if we can offer some hope or motivation, just a little break from the loss and sadness that some people are experiencing, that is a huge thing for us.”
After Scotland took the lead through Finn Russell’s try, Japan dominated the next 40 minutes, playing the best rugby of any team at this tournament. Left-wing Kenki Fukuoka scored twice, rightwing Matsushima once and prop Keita Inagaki produced arguably the pick of the tries, finishing a stunning team move.
Yet Leitch said this was a performance born not of precise planning but raw passion. “We played with our heart,” Leitch said. “It wasn’t about skill today but was about emotion. We are representing Asia, Japan and tier two. We will give everything in the next games.”
Next up are South Africa in a repeat of Japan’s 2015 World Cup giant-killing. After beating Ireland and Scotland, Japan should be considered every bit the Springboks’ equals. Even if they are entering uncharted territory in the knockout stages, Leitch says they will not be there to make up the numbers.
“For us to qualify for the quarterfinals we have shifted the goalposts,” Leitch said. “I don’t know who we have got next but we start next week and go from there. We are not coming out next week to have a good game and lose, but to win.”
‘It wasn’t about skill today but about emotion. We are representing Asia, Japan and tier two’