Japan have produced a scintillating display of attacking rugby before holding back a spirited Scottish fightback to triumph 28-21 to reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Wing Kenki Fukuoka led the way with two tries, while Kotaro Matsushima and Keita Inagaki also scored on Sunday night as the hosts held off a fierce second-half assault from a team they had lost against in all seven of their previous meetings.
When Japan beat South Africa four years ago – having won only one of their previous 24 World Cup matches – it was considered the greatest shock in rugby history. This time, having already beaten Ireland three weeks ago, it did not even feel like a real surprise.
They were faster, sharper, more inventive and, roared on by the vast majority of the delirious red-clad 72,000 crowd, absolutely relentless in everything they did as they became the first tier-two team to reach the last eight since Fiji in 2007.
Having won all four of their matches to top Pool A, they will face the Springboks again in the quarter-finals and the twice-champions will be taking absolutely nothing for granted.
The result also meant that Ireland, through as runners-up, will play New Zealand.
The match was given the go-ahead only on Sunday morning after an inspection of the damage caused by Typhoon Hagibis and proved a wonderfully uplifting occasion for the country after the death and destruction wrought by the storm.
Scotland were first on the board with a Finn Russell try after seven minutes but Japan hit back with a brilliantly-worked, high-tempo score that set the tone for the night.
Fukuoka tore down the left and as he was tackled to the floor, slung a one-armed pass to Matsushima to go over.
If that was good, their next was a contender for try of the tournament. Fukuoka and Matsushima again put on the afterburners before a series of off-loads and side-steps ended with Shota Horie setting up prop Inagaki.
Japan’s speed and intensity soon created a third try at the end of the half when Tim Lafaele’s deft grubber bounced perfectly into the arms of Fukuoka.
Then two minutes into the second half when Fukuoka stripped Chris Harris and galloped clear for a fourth and bonus-point clinching try.
The Scots, who came from 31-0 down to draw 38-38 with England in the Six Nations in March, dredged up that Twickenham spirit from somewhere as WP Nel and Zander Fagerson scored to get back within seven points with 25 minutes to go.
It was relentless Scottish pressure and desperate, at times demented, Japanese defending from then on, but the hosts held out for another famous victory in what became a deafening cauldron of noise.
It was only the second time Scotland have failed to reach the last eight – the other coming in 2011 – but they can have few complaints, bookending wins over Russia and Samoa with defeats by Ireland and the hosts.
| RWC 2019 Quarter-Finals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Fixture | Venue |
| Sat, Oct 19 | 6:15 PM | England vs Wallabies | Oita Stadium |
| Sat, Oct 19 | 9:15 PM | New Zealand vs Ireland | Tokyo Stadium |
| Sun, Oct 20 | 6:15 PM | Wales vs France | Oita Stadium |
| Sun, Oct 20 | 9:15 PM | Japan vs South Africa | Tokyo Stadium |
Derm
Roar Guru
What semantics? You provided a partial edited quote. I provided the full quote.
soapit
Roar Guru
i dont really mind which approach but theyve been banging on about how important it is to protect the head so ive gotten on board with it a bit. if its important than its important every game.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
I’m not sure how much English premiership rugby you watch but I seriously do not see the supposed inferiority in sides like Saracens, Bath, Exeter. When I watch their product and compare what they provide relative to Rebels, Brumbies, Reds and Tahs I think we are riding on the coat tails of our mates across the ditch. It has been this way for over a decade. Incidentally the Tahs are coached by a kiwi, the Rebels a South African the Reds a kiwi .. that leaves the Brumbies as the only Australian franchise with a home grown coach. I haven’t noted any swagger with any of them
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
Its OK to get carried way - just ask the coaches of Ireland and Scotland.
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
I was happy that no cards were issued.
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
In many of the matches it looks pretty clear that players are not supporting themselves when competing for the ball at rucktime. I noticed that the NH players like to push and come around the side of the ruck rather than through the ruck to slow the ball down - not sure if its legal or not. Too many rules to know.
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
Rugby needs to get rid of this 1st Tier 2nd Tier mentality. It is not good for the game especially from an administrative approach. It reeks of old boys networks and protectionism.
SteveD
Guest
Well done Japan. However, the 'Miracle at Brighton' means nothing as this Boks team is ten times better than the 2015 model. Should be a cracker of a game.
Batdown
Roar Rookie
Doesn't take away from what I said Tom G, a contrast of styles. Ireland, Wales and now Scotland have been exposed by a team with a Super Rugby swagger and sway. Do you think Japan would have won any of those games with a Northern hemisphere coach?
win4
Guest
you want a ruler to measure it? the point was the AB's tour at the end of a hard long season like all SH teams when they go north,the same as the NH coming south! this will be the first time they come come together on a more or less played same number of games with both teams at near full strength so we will see wont we? not unless you take into account Joe saying the AB's have an advantage because they have played one less game so their for will be fresher??
win4
Guest
Dont give up hope man!, I am a 100% AB's man!! but my dark horse prediction is I think you guys will run England closer than you think may be over the line. They are like the spuds at the moment warm and cold , not hot, and they are suffering the same probably more so with the heat than you guys, there forwards were feeling it! so I dont think its going to be as people think, but the only real panic button I see is your props Sio and slipper are bloody hopeless and you need the these guys to play a full game, so if you do go down i think it will be on your forward pack, but I think you have a real chance! My take.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
fair enough. let's enjoy the present!
woodart
Guest
thank jj and tony brown for this Japanese side, if it werent for them ,the whole tournament would have been about moaners and crappy headlines...there, fixed it for you...
adam smith
Guest
Second that PeterK, I like your idea of a 6 nations type set up. I use to love it after a loss knowing we couldn’t try for revenge until a year later. Sometimes less really is more.
dazell
Roar Rookie
I didn't mean frenetic in a bad way, just wondering if their conditioning is good enough to hold up to the intensity of the Bok's for 80 minutes or 100 given TMO intervention. :silly:
soapit
Roar Guru
probably just assumed a tone that wasnt there as kafer was singing his praises all night.
PeterK
Roar Guru
exactly, i never said he was perfect. All I said this was his best game I ever saw, considering his normal low bar.
soapit
Roar Guru
seems pretty fair and accurate to me
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
As much as I wish for it to happen, I can't see the score blowing out against the Irish. I think it will be similar to the Springbok match. Work bloody hard and take the points when they're offered. Our new faces (Reece, Bridge, Laulala) and positional changes (Barrett, Savea) will provide something new for Ireland to cope with.
soapit
Roar Guru
and japan got penalised for the same thing 2nd half