JapanHOSTS WITH
THE MOST?
The buzz is building for the World Cup, but there are also concerns
over the legacy of the tournament. Our man in Japan reports...
Words Rich Freeman// Main Picture Hannah Peters/Getty ImagesORLD CUP
organisers
marked the
recent ‘100 days
to go’ milestone
in Tokyo by
saying they
believe the
tournament will not only be unique
but one of the most successful ever.
“The Webb Ellis Cup is here in Japan,
our host cities are ready, our stadiums
are in immaculate condition and our
20 teams are itching to take the field,”
said Akira Shimazu, the Japan 2019
organising committee chief executive.
“I speak on behalf of all Japan, a
127m-strong welcoming committee,
when I say that we are ready to
welcome the world to Japan, and
ready to host a truly memorable and
once-in-a-lifetime Rugby World Cup.”
While most would agree with Shimazu
that the tournament will be a tremendous
success, there are grave concerns as to
what will happen post-World Cup.
On 17 April, just five months before the
opening game of the World Cup, Japan
RFU honorary chairman
Yoshiro Mori (a former
prime minister of Japan)
resigned and indicated
that the current board
should follow suit to
take responsibility for
the lack of progress
made in promoting
the tournament and
developing legacy
programmes.
Alan Gilpin, the Head
of Rugby World Cup, put
a brave face on matters,
saying: “We’re not
packing up. It’s important
we carry on working with Japan rugby
to deliver (on our promises)... and make
sure there is a sustainable legacy.”
However, ten years on from Japan
being awarded the tournament, there
has been little change in the way rugby
is run in the country, especially at youth
level. Putting things in place post-World
Cup is almost a waste of that decade.
The introduction of the Sunwolves
showed just what could be done whenfans were freed of the shackles of
supporting a corporate team as a result
of duty to their employers. The Super
Rugby crowds in Tokyo were in marked
contrast – noise-wise and size-wise –
from those that watch the Top League,
which has on average seen a gradual
decline in attendance in recent years.
The news that the Sunwolves will be
cut from Super Rugby after the 2020
season, however, leaves a gapingW
Cross-border competition
Sunwolves v Brumbies