Japan. Wow... just wow
Great game for World Rugby and also just a great game.
Japan. Wow... just wow
They were very good defensively. Not often you see Tongans being walloped physically and being pushed backwards.
You neglected a dodgy decision from good old Chris Pollock and for some reason in this case they did not go to TMO!
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I thought it was an excellent call. The law is about the passing motion of the hands. It's irrelevant whether the ball drifts forward. See here for more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=box08lq9ylgYou neglected a dodgy decision from good old Chris Pollock and for some reason in this case they did not go to TMO!
What happened to South Africa? Choke? Jitters? Cobwebs?
I agree with this summation, I would add the "dad's army" factor. The Japanese ran them ragged and that must have taken its toll on the older players. Whether it was a tactic or not, well done to the Japan side.I think there is more ( wrong) than we see. Quota's? Coaching style? Who knows.
They just don't look settled.
I thought it was an excellent call. The law is about the passing motion of the hands. It's irrelevant whether the ball drifts forward. See here for more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=box08lq9ylg
And unfortunately Chris won't be refereeing Aus v Fiji on Wednesday as he has to dash home. My deepest sympathies to Chris and his family.
I agree with this summation, I would add the "dad's army" factor. The Japanese ran them ragged and that must have taken its toll on the older players. Whether it was a tactic or not, well done to the Japan side.
We are clearly referring to different decisions here, I'm not referring to the call that wasn't made, I'm emerging to the one against the Tongans that was.
I agree with your summation of the rules, shame that's not what was applied here.
Agreed, I didn't actually think the Boks played that poorly and credit should go to the Japanese for this one, they just played better. They have always been a team that is fairly competitive but with a few weaknesses, I thought their tactics were brilliant as was their technique at times. To see the Japanese not only holding their own but occasionally putting pressure on a Springbok scrum was just an amazing sight to behold.I wouldn't dismiss the lift in the Japanese game.
Remember also that Japan is in the rugby championship next year. That must be at least as good as Argentina, who can beat anyone on a good day.
Not so sure on this one, maybe you know more than me, but last I heard was that while they had struggled to signup players they had still met the threshold needed at the last checkpoint (August 30) and this win should surely mean they will get a few more keen to sign.They have joined SANZAR but that was to potentially have a Japanese Super Rugby team in 2016, which doesn't look likely now unfortunately.
Not so sure on this one, maybe you know more than me, but last I heard was that while they had struggled to signup players they had still met the threshold needed at the last checkpoint (August 30) and this win should surely mean they will get a few more keen to sign.
That's pretty much how I read it too, there are definitely still some challenges to be overcome but I'm sure that SANZAR went into this because it was the outcome they wanted (some did propose a South Pacific team instead, but from all report SANZAR were very keen on Japan because of the commercial benefits). I would imagine after the weekends game the desire is still there but they'd be foolish not to be looking at contingency options (should this fail).It's definitely still on the cards, but a few road bumps to get over. However, the JRFU is confident...
NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew: Japan Super Rugby franchise bid 'not hunky dory' | Stuff.co.nz
Japanese Super Rugby team faces plenty of challenges, SANZAR remain firm in support | The Roar
No Cookies | Herald Sun
Actually there is a question mark over that too, but I for one hope it does work out for them.And Japan hosts the next World Cup in 2019.Should give a real boost.
Sept 20 | Samoa v USA | Brighton Community Stadium |
Sept 20 | Wales v Uruguay | Millennium Stadium |
Sept 20 | New Zealand v Argentina | Wembley Stadium |
Sept 23 | Scotland v Japan | Kingsholm Stadium |
Sept 23 | Australia v Fiji | Millennium Stadium |
Sept 23 | France v Romania | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |
Sept 24 | New Zealand v Namibia | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |
Sept 25 | Argentina v Georgia | Kingsholm Stadium |
Sept 26 | Italy v Canada | Elland Road |
Sept 26 | South Africa v Samoa | Villa Park |
Sept 26 | England v Wales | Twickenham Stadium |
Sept 27 | Australia v Uruguay | Villa Park |
Sept 27 | Scotland v USA | Elland Road |
Sept 27 | Ireland v Romania | Wembley Stadium |
Sept 29 | Tonga v Namibia | Sandy Park |
Oct 1 | Wales v Fiji | Millennium Stadium |
Oct 1 | France v Canada | Stadium MK |
Oct 2 | New Zealand v Georgia | Millennium Stadium |
Oct 3 | Samoa v Japan | Stadium MK |
Oct 3 | South Africa v Scotland | St. James' Park |
Oct 3 | England v Australia | Twickenham Stadium |
Oct 4 | Argentina v Tonga | Leicester City Stadium |
Oct 4 | Ireland v Italy | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |
Oct 6 | Canada v Romania | Leicester City Stadium |
Oct 6 | Fiji v Uruguay | Stadium MK |
Oct 7 | South Africa v USA | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |
Oct 7 | Namibia v Georgia | Sandy Park |
Oct 9 | New Zealand v Tonga | St. James' Park |
Oct 10 | Samoa v Scotland | St. James' Park |
Oct 10 | Australia v Wales | Twickenham Stadium |
Oct 10 | England v Uruguay | Manchester City Stadium |
Oct 11 | Argentina v Namibia | Leicester City Stadium |
Oct 11 | Italy v Romania | Sandy Park |
Oct 11 | France v Ireland | Millennium Stadium |
Oct 11 | USA v Japan | Kingsholm Stadium |
Oct 17 | Quarter-final 1 | Twickenham Stadium |
Oct 17 | Quarter-final 2 | Millennium Stadium |
Oct 18 | Quarter-final 3 | Millennium Stadium |
Oct 18 | Quarter-final 4 | Twickenham Stadium |
Oct 24 | Semi-final 1 | Twickenham Stadium |
Oct 25 | Semi-final 2 | Twickenham Stadium |
Oct 30 | Bronze Final | Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park |
Oct 31 | The Final | Twickenham Stadium |