'Money is a very important thing in life but we aren't playing for Japan because of money… we have a cause'
Prop Keita Inagaki has shrugged off the lack of remuneration Japan’s players are getting despite reaching a first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
It was two days before their pool-clinching win over Scotland last Sunday that coach Jamie Joseph revealed the extraordinary lengths his Japanese squad had undertaken to put themselves on the cusp of knockout stage qualification.
“This team has been in camp for the last 240 days. While the majority of the players are professionals with company-based teams, as a rugby team Japan is amateur," he said.
“Other than $100 a day [expenses], no one gets paid for being in camp. I will let you guys do the maths and make comparisons with other teams.”
That remuneration compares terribly with the other seven quarter-finalists at the World Cup. However, Inagaki, who started in all four of Japan’s pool victories, isn’t dwelling on how his squad are being hit in the pocket.
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“Money is a very important thing in life but we aren't playing for Japan because of money. We have a cause. Money isn't something we can control, so we don't really care. What matters to us is playing and understanding why we're getting this opportunity to play.”
Hooker Shota Horie, who started three pool matches, is hoping Japan can now produce a display versus South Africa that will make their people proud.
Asked what impact rugby can have on people's lives in Japan, he said: “That differs from person to person, I suppose, but some get power or courage, some might just enjoy it as a sport, but we always try to put in a performance that can move people. We hope that will happen in the next game too."
WATCH: The RugbyPass guide to Tokyo ahead of this weekend's World Cup quarter-finals
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Hard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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