EXCITEMENT IS mounting for the very
first Rugby World Cup in Asia, with
genuine expectations being placed on the
host nation. The Brave Blossoms have
never got out of the group stages but as
you will see, they have been a valuable
presence at every tournament...1987
The first-ever World Cup
almost never happened but
after much political wrangling
and jockeying, the inaugural
showcase went ahead in Australia and
New Zealand. While South Africa were
isolated due to apartheid and the Soviet
Union allegedly knocked back an offer tojoin the party, Japan – who only became
a full member of the IRB in 1987 – were
invited in. Not only that but Japanese
communications company KDD were the
major sponsor for the first global event.
Japan would lose all three of their
matches, against the USA, Australia and
England (one of only two official Tests
between the sides, the next outing not
coming until 2018). But before they left,
boss Shiggy Konno declared his side
would “return home with honour”.1991
The 1991 World Cup was on
European soil and although
Japan would play only three
matches, they were constantly
on their travels, playing Scotland and
Ireland at their home grounds and then
clashing with Zimbabwe in Belfast.
It was here that Japan recorded their
first-ever World Cup victory, smashing the
Sables 52-8 with nine tries in what theBelfast Telegraph called a “thoroughly
entertaining but totally one-sided” match.
However, the Brave Blossoms would wait
24 years for another World Cup win.1995
Invention and adventure have
always been hallmarks of the
Japanese game and in 1995
they put four tries past the Irish
in Bloemfontein – but struggled up front
and lost 50-28. The week before Wales
really cut loose too, beating Japan 57-10.It’s been some feast and a lot of famine for the 2019 hosts, participants at every tournament to date
JAPAN’S FORTUNES
The HostsMade up
Japan fans
in 2003
Huge moment
Ayumu Goromaru
crosses in 2015