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Jubiliant Japan run amok in Bok boilover

England's run was good enough to draw even with the All Blacks, but who wants to kiss their sister? (Photo: AFP)
Roar Guru
20th September, 2015
7

Fortune favours the brave, they say. Well Japan certainly showed that to be true with its outstanding historic win at the Rugby World Cup.

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» Rugby World Cup fixtures
» Rugby World Cup results
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The Cherry Blossoms’ 34-32 victory over South Africa isn’t just the biggest upset in World Cup history, it’s one of the biggest upsets in any sport. One bookmaker I saw quoted the Japanese as 50-1 outsiders before kick-off, and that was about right.

The Springboks are two-time World Cup winners, a nation where rugby is a way life. Japan are minnows, a country where rugby is growing but far from the number one sport.

The Cherry Blossoms had never played the Boks before, never made it out of a World Cup pool or beaten one of the top teams in the world. But today they cared little for history, reputation or tradition.

Japan were simply outstanding. The tactics were spot on, their defence impressive and their determination absolute.

The Springboks kept edging ahead to find the Japanese biting at their heels, again and again, again and again. They wouldn’t give up and their perservance paid off handsomely.

The World Cup needs a shock result like this. Only four countries have won rugby union’s premier showpiece – New Zealand, England, Australia and South Africa – and only five have made the final – adding France.

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At times there can be a predictability of results. But not today.

Kudos to Eddie Jones who has worked wonders with Japan. Credit to the players for playing the game of their lives. They hit every ruck with power, threw themselves into tackles and refused to die wondering.

They kept running the ball, refusing to have a shot at goal in the final seconds that would have drawn the game, and they were rewarded. Their attacking, fluid running game was a delight to see and it certainly gave South Africa nightmares at times.

Teams playing like Japan did today, with confidence and flair, backing their skills with total committment, is how the game should be played. Not with endless scrums, nothing bombs or mindless kicking, but with pace, passing and creativity.

The Springboks might have had the size and height advantage, not to mention the experience, but the Cherry Blossoms competed like they were 10 foot tall. What a win.

Only on the second day of the tournament and we have a match like this. Here’s hoping for plenty more in the weeks to come.

Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson

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