SCRUM Magazine – September 2019

1987: Pool Stage

1991: Pool Stage

1995: Pool Stage

1999: Pool Stage

2003: Pool Stage

2007: Pool Stage

2011: Pool Stage

2015: Pool Stage

BRAVE BLOSSOMS LOOK

TO BLOOM ON HOME SOIL

apanese rugby is about to embark
on the biggest six weeks in its
history as the Land of the Rising
Sun prepares to welcome millions of rugby
fans from all over the world for the biggest
competition in the global game.
The home supporters will be buoyed by
their team’s most recent results, Japan
defeating USA, Tonga and Fiji to win the
Pacific Nations Cup as they warm-up for
the 2019 Rugby World Cup; but Japanese
rugby fans will also take heart from their
performance in England four years ago.
At the 2015 World Cup, the Brave Blossoms
pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the
history of the competition with a 34-32
victory over two-time winners South Africa in
their opening pool game.
Defeat to Scotland followed, but that was
the only defeat of the tournament for a

Japan side coached by now-England boss

Eddie Jones, as they went on to record

victories over Samoa and USA before

bowing out at the end of the pool stage.

This time round, Japan are in a similarly

tough pool with Ireland and Scotland the top

two ranked sides, but Jamie Joseph’s side

will be targeting victory over one - or both -

of the aforementioned home nations as they

bid to make it to the knockout stages.

As the host nation, Japan will kick off the

tournament on 20 September when they

host Russia in Tokyo. Ireland are next up

before the Brave Blossoms meet Samoa

once again at the World Cup. Their pool

finale against Scotland could determine

whether the hosts, or Gregor Townsend’s

men, are heading to the quarter-finals.

Captain Michael Leitch will be an integral

part of the squad once more and the

back-row man’s leadership will be essential

for the Japanese squad, while there’s

plenty of experience in the back through

hooker Shota Horie and 38-year-old Luke

Thompson.

Hendrik Tui and Amanaki Mafi were two

of the stars of their campaign four years

ago, and they’ll combine with Leitch in the

back-row. Meanwhile in the back division,

Ataata Moeakiola is a threat on the wing

despite only having a handful of Test caps

to his name, the 23-year-old is a powerful

strike runner and will attract the attention of

defences.

Momentum will be key for the Japanese and

they’ll need to get off to a good start – if

they can do so, they’ll get the home crowd

behind them and that’s sure to spur them on

as they aim to make it out of Pool A.

J

JAPAN

COACH:

JAMIE JOSEPH

We do Japan

JapanRugbyTravel.com

52 • WWW.SCRUMMAGAZINE.COM • ISSUE 116 2019

RUGBY WORLD CUP - TOP 10