Japan’s stunning 2015 World Cup victory over South Africa is to be turned into a film with the working name of ‘The Brighton Miracle’.
New Zealand actor Temuera Morrison is to play Eddie Jones, England’s current head coach who masterminded the 34-32 triumph at The Amex that was secured when Karne Hesketh crossed in the final minute.
The result is considered the greatest upset in rugby history and enabled Jones to succeed Stuart Lancaster at Twickenham after the tournament.
Filming is expected to begin in January on the Gold Coast with award-winning Australian writer and director Max Mannix overseeing the project.
Mannix believes Jones’ background helps explain Japan’s transformation from a team with only one World Cup win in 24 previous attempts into the first side not to reach the quarter-finals despite amassing three pool victories.
“Eddie understood humiliation because he had lived it,” Mannix told Kyodo News, in reference to the 58-year-old’s experience of racism when growing up in Sydney.
“He is a complex character and I wanted people to see why that is.
“What Eddie Jones and his team did in 2015 was truly magnificent and worthy of being remembered.
“What I want to do is try and show why it happened and where did the self-belief come from.”
Jones, who is the son of an Australian father and Japanese mother, revealed on Wednesday that the inspiration for his successful reign as Japan coach came from Spaniard Pep Guardiola.
It was during a chat with the current Manchester City manager and former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach that his tactics for the Brave Blossoms were crystallized.
“When I was coaching in Japan, the biggest influence on me was Pep Guardiola,” Jones told the O2 Inside Line.
“He had that Tiki-taka football and in Japan we had to find a way to beat bigger teams as we were small and it was only through moving the ball quickly that we could do that.
“I went and spent 90 minutes with him. He stayed until 7pm, he had a full day working and gave me his time at the end of the day talking about his approach to that and it was a really insightful discussion we had and helped me coach Japan.”
Sam
Guest
Gordon Bray would play himself and would probably do it completely pro bono. The movies are full of David and Goliath sporting struggles. This was a real one and I too will see it.
ScottD
Roar Guru
I watched that game on my nephews iphone while on a bus travelling to the France Italy game. The whole bus was cheering Japan on. Bloody brilliant moment because it was so unexpected but you had to feel for the Boks.
ScottD
Roar Guru
The Boks didn't beat the AB's. It was Suzy the waitress!!!!!!
Brent
Guest
Speak for yourself invictus was embarrassing to watch and so will this be
Cadfael
Roar Guru
They did make Old Scores with rugby players and actors.
Alister
Guest
I wonder if Eddie will ask his wife to cook him some eggs??
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Oh %$*&&&%%%###@@!!!!! X 2
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Um , Mat Damon sells movie tickets , rugby players sell rugby tickets.
adastra32
Roar Rookie
This must be a wind-up.
You're comparing your biggest rival beating you to Japan beating us? Really?
Old Bugger
Guest
"Eddie the muss......" or "Jake the coach...." Whichever one, just doesn't sit right does it....??
Gilbert
Roar Rookie
A day that will live in infamy.
piru
Roar Rookie
Morgan Freeman to play Gordon Bray's voice
piru
Roar Rookie
Oi we didn't complain about Invictus! Let them have this one - I love the idea of Jake the Mus playing Eddie Jones
Ben
Guest
Cmon Harry take your punishment like we had to with Invictus and the poxy rugby scenes showing our heartbreak....alls fair in love n war.
Daveski 2.0
Roar Rookie
Jonah Hill to play Adrian Strauss, Owen Wilson as Jean De Villiers, Dwayne Johnson as Amanaki Mafi .... we could go on. But on a serious note, this is all kinds of awesome. The 10min highlight package on YouTube of the game I probably watch once a month. Between the shots of the crowd and Gordon Brays exquisite commentary, just fantastic.
Harry Jones
Expert
Oh %$*&&&%%%###@@!!!!
Hugo
Guest
The director has to do way better than Clint did in Invictus. Mr Mannix has to cast real rugby players, not actors or whatever those guys were who were supposed to be the Boks. And nobody has yet captured the hits or the scrums in the few movies, involving union or league, that have so far been made. This Sporting Life had some authentic stuff but we're still waiting on somebody to film the skill, tension and excitement of test rugby. Let's hope that this new venture will do the job.
Can't wait to see our most embarressing rugby moment immortalised in a film.