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Two years since Japan shook the rugby world
By Fred Culazzo
Two years ago today, Japan pulled off the most unlikely victory the sport has ever seen. On a sunny day in Brighton, the Brave Blossoms shocked the Springboks and the rugby world when they ran out 34-32 winners in their first pool game of the Rugby World Cup against South Africa.
Japan went on to win two more games in their pool against the USA & Samoa, but fell just shy of a Quarter Final spot following a loss to Scotland.
The game will be remembered as the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history. It also created a legion of new rugby fans in Japan, who will be hoping to see their side potentially go one step further in 2019 when they host the World Cup on home soil.
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Latest Comments
I’m looking forward to attending the Twickenham match, I don’t think it will have a bearing on the outcome of the grand prize itself but it will tell us more about each teams’ preparation and game plan. It’s hard to look past one of the big four (I’m including Canada) lifting the trophy in 2025 but sport is a curious thing, there will still be twists and turns in road ahead.
Go to commentsThe better side seems to be the losing side a lot these days. As far as narrative goes. Must be the big emergent culture of “participation awards” that have emerged in nanny states. ”It looked like New Zealand would take the game from there but lapses in execution let South Africa get back into the game. New Zealand’s goal kickers left five points out there, including a very make-able penalty on the stroke of half”. Sounds like a chronic problem… I wonder how the better team has lapses in concentration and execution? Or are those not important factors in the grand scheme of total performances? In 2023, the ABs at least didn’t give up a lead to lose. They just couldn’t execute to get the points and take the lead. This Baby AB result points to a choke - letting the game slip through your fingers. In the words of the great Ricky Bobby’s dad - “If you’re not 1st you’re last!” Loosely translated - if you didn’t win, you’re a loser.
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