The Cherry Blossoms have been brought crashing back to earth at the hand of Scotland, who dealt them a 45-10 thrashing in their Rugby World Cup Clash on Wednesday.
MATCH REPORT: SCOTLAND VS JAPAN
The Japanese were well in the match at half time, trailing by just five points with the score set at 12-7.
Scotland would push away in the second half however, piling on five unanswered tries to secure the impressive win.
Final Score:
Scotland 45
Japan 10
Scotland open their Rugby World Cup campaign against Japan, a team who are coming off the biggest upset of all time. Join us for live scores and commentary from 11:15pm (AEST).
The Cherry Blossoms completed the biggest upset in rugby history when they beat South Africa 34-32 in their opening game of the tournament.
But they will have to overturn a poor record against the Scots, who have dominated their past three encounters with Japan.
Their last meeting was November 9, 2013, and Scotland won that game 42-17.
Prior to that game their last meeting was in 2004, which Scotland won 100-8.
It’s hard to tell if the Japanese will continue their form against the Scots, as heading into the World Cup they had been patchy at best.
But that form might hold firm with Georgia, a team Japan played in the lead up beating Tonga, and the USA putting up a good fight against Samoa.
Certainly on rankings this game will be close with Japan ranked 11th one spot ahead of Scotland ranked 12th.
Prediction
Scotland won’t underestimate the Japanese and they will win this comfortably.
Scotland by 15.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of Game 9 of the 2015 Rugby World Cup from 11:30pm (AEST).
If you are following the action live, be sure to share your thoughts on the match in the comments below.
Emric
Guest
a 4 day turn around was stupid. Japan didn't have a hope in hell of winning this one.
Sylvester
Guest
Flash in the Ja-pan?
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Just as Japan could take glory from their win, so can Scotland from this game. Japan was never going to beat Scotland, and I suspect Scotland will be dealt with summarily by the Springboks. Having said that, I would love to see Scotland go through, and woulddn't mind seeing South Africa left behind.
JR Salazar
Guest
Noncompetitive contest. The scheduling did not favor Japan, but losing Mafi might be a godsend for the USA, whose only victory may only come against this team.
JR Salazar
Guest
I made up my mind. SA in trouble. #AgreeToDisagree.
ScotandProud
Guest
Pffft - it'll be an interesting one. Reckon SA will smash Samoa: be a bit clearer after that..
ScotandProud
Guest
Touch and go they say but i didn't think it was that bad.
Jono
Guest
Japan found today's game a bridge too far. You don't take the Boks to 85mins and win by 2 and come back 4 days later without paying a cost and it showed after an hour. Scotland didn't play great, but they did what they needed to do. They kept it tight and stopped Japan from getting ahead and feeding off that. Once the game opened up they were clinical and the scoreline shows that. So while you have to feel for Japan for what they had against them, you have to be impressed by the Scots getting through what was a tough game and then putting it away when it mattered. Importantly the Scots got a bonus point and denied one to Japan. You'd have to say that the fairytale of Japan making it out of the pools is probably dead, might have been a different story if they lost with bonus points.
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
Thanks Brent for the blog! You get to sleep now. Also, Japan was refballed and organiserballed there unfortunately
JR Salazar
Guest
Bad news for SA, getting smashed by Scotland in this same fashion should see them out.
BluesMan
Guest
I wonder why we weren't given a replay of the try until Japan were right about to restart.
riddler
Guest
agree originally thought he might be out.. but on the seconding viewing i am 100% sure he put it down before his foot hit the line..
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Thanks Riddler!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time Well that's all from me, go the Wallabies! This will be the talking point out of this game, however I thought he scored before his foot hit the line.
riddler
Guest
cheers brent.. congrats scots.. very brave for the blossoms.. maybe 20 mins too long after the turnaround.. but so much heart.. enjoyed it a lot..
ScotandProud
Guest
Think Japan were robbed with that decision just like they have been robbed by the fixture list..
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Full Time No try the ball was lost and Scotland will walk away with a commanding win, they didn't have it all their own way but they certainly finished it off well. Scotland 45 vs Japan 10
ScotandProud
Guest
How did Maitland end up sitting on top of the chasing Japanese player.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
'80 Leitch goes at the line now a pick and go but they are held up, this is some great defence and Lacey will check the TMO, please be a try to end this... Scotland 45 vs Japan 10
Steve
Guest
On the screen shot, his foot is on the line and the ball is about 20cm off the ground -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.