SCRUM Magazine – September 2019

2015
Japan 34-32 South Africa: Last time out, Japan produced their best
ever World Cup performance, winning three out of four of their pool
games, and only failing to qualify due to a lack of bonus points. But
this was overshadowed by the team beating Tier One nation South
Africa in the final play of their opening game of the tournament. Now
one of the game's most iconic moments, this result tees this year's
host nation up nicely for another successful campaign.

2011
Japan 23-23 Canada: Despite losing all three of their other games to
France, New Zealand, and Tonga, Japan managed to scrape a draw
against Canada in the last round of the pool. The result, 23 all,
ensured that
the Cherry Blossoms did not end the tournament pointless.

2007
Japan 31-35 Fiji: In 2007, Japan's 31-34 losing bonus point
performance against Fiji made sure that they did not end the
tournament at the bottom of their pool. This was the first time that the
side had managed this since the tournament's inception, their draw
with Canada ensuring that the North American nation took the bottom
spot.

2003
Japan 13-41 Fiji: Although perhaps not a memorable game for the
nation, Japan's pool-stage tie with Fiji was a significant moment for the
country's New Zealand-born stand-off Andy Miller. Scoring all of his
side's 13 points, Miller crossed for his side's only score, which he
converted himself before slotting a penalty and dropping a goal.

1999
Japan 9-43 Samoa: Featuring in a group alongside Wales, Samoa,
and Argentina, Japan ended the pool stages as the only nation to
have not registered any points. Worse than this though, in their game
vs fellow Pacific Nation, the side failed to score a try for the first time in
their World Cup history.

1995
Japan 17-145 New Zealand: 1995 produced another less than
glamorous moment for Japan. In the last of their pool games, the side
came up against New Zealand, and were on the receiving end of a
record-setting drubbing. with the All Blacks amassing what is still the
greatest points total for any side in one single game at the World Cup.

1991

Japan 52-8 Zimbabwe: The second Rugby World Cup was a big one

for Japan, who recorded their first ever win at the flagship tournament.

It came against Zimbabwe, with the Cherry Blossoms racking up an

impressive 52-8 scoreline meaning that they set the record for the

most tries in one game at that competition.

1987

Japan 18-21 United States: Appearing as one of 10 invited nations,

Japan came within three points of getting their World Cup career off

to a winning start against the United States. Despite scoring the same

amount of tries as their opposition, the side's kicking let them down

and the game finished 18-21 to the United States.

MEMORABLE RUGBY WORLD CUP MOMENTS

Matches played: 28

Wins: 4 Losses: 22

Draws: 2

Win percentage: 14%

Total points scored: 528

Tries: 60 Penalties: 55

Conversions: 36

Drop-goals: 3

World ranking: 9

JAPAN AT THE

RUGBY WORLD CUP

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