In reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, Japan have single-handedly hauled this World Cup out of the flames of disaster.
The typhoon-induced cancellations, controversy over cards and the collective failure of the other second-tier nations to seriously challenge the status quo had put this tournament on track to become a fiasco.
But in topping their group with four straight wins, the hosts themselves have given us something to savour.
They are the first Asian team into the quarter-finals – meaning all the continents have now been represented at that stage – and just the 13th nation to do so.
Fiji, Samoa and Canada are the only tier-two teams to have made the last eight previously, though none have done so since the former in 2007.
Japan is also the first second-tier nation to top its group, achieving this with four straight wins. Incredibly, they have now gone from one win in seven appearances at the World Cup to eight from nine. This includes three victories over first-tier teams.
And the cherry on top is they get to face a team they have already beaten at the World Cup before, South Africa.
(Photo by Clive Rose – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Scotland miss the last eight for just the second time (following 2011), and Ireland face rugby’s Everest in their quest to reach the semi-finals for the first time.
The other two quarter-finals shape up as classic encounters, pitting former winners England and Australia against each other, and a rejuvenated French side against one of the pre-tournament favourites, Wales.
But not even this is going to paper over the cracks of the tournament’s failings. Was Japan really the right choice when a proven host like South Africa has been rejected time and again? Was the World Cup itself the time to impose such strict interpretations of the tackle laws?
And by far the biggest concern has to be the continuing hierarchy in the game, with only the host nation bucking the trend on this occasion.
Samoa and Canada simply shouldn’t have been there. Both have been at a low ebb for some years; the latter perhaps its lowest ever, and it’s a real shame Namibia didn’t get the chance to play them and perhaps end their unbeaten run at the tournament.
Russia, which has formally entered the race to host the 2027 World Cup, were only standing in on this occasion and by no means disgraced themselves.
But on recent form it’s doubtful Romania would have made much impact either, had they not been disqualified.
Fiji, the USA and Georgia were particularly disappointing, failing to build on their achievements of the past few years.
The former promised to be back to their best after last year’s historic win over France. Instead they were on the receiving end of one of the tournament’s major upsets when beaten by Uruguay in Kamaishi.
America, regarded as the ‘sleeping giants’ of the game with 120,000 registered players and professional rugby off the ground, appeared set to soar after defeating Scotland in Houston in 2018.
But they failed to rouse from their slumber in Japan, suffering four straight losses.
As for Georgia, they remain the only second-tier nation never to have beaten a first tier side, and that never looked likely to change.
Sure, the Lelos picked up a win over Uruguay and gave the Wallabies a thorough workout, but 12 years after almost upsetting Ireland, is that really the extent of their ambition?
So it was left to the Brave Blossoms to rescue the tournament, and this they managed with thrilling victories over Ireland and Scotland.
Their fans packed the stadiums and television ratings broke records. Will this be enough to quell the storm which seems certain to follow a tournament with so many controversies?
There’s an awful lot for the international board to mull over before the next World Cup in 2023, and the general lack of progress among the second-tier contenders needs to be top of the agenda.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
As far as points differentials per tier 2 team in the group stages went: Japan had easily their best tournament, finishing in the positive for the first time with plus 53. Their best showing previously had been minus two in 2015, while their worst effort was minus 197 in 1995. Fiji had their second best tournament after 1999, finishing on plus 2. In 1999 they were plus 56, but at every other tournament they have finished in the negative, with a low point of minus 108 in 2011. They did not qualify in 1995. Samoa had their second worst tournament after 2007, finishing on minus 70. In 2007 they were minus 74. Samoa were minus 55 four years ago, but have finished in the positive on every other occasion, with a high point of plus 42 in 2011. They were not invited to the inaugural event. Tonga had their third best tournament despite finishing on minus 38. They have never finished in the positive. Their best effort was minus 7 in 2007, while their worst was minus 132 in 2003. They did not qualify in 1991. USA had their second worst showing with minus 104, merely the slightest improvement on 2015 when they finished on minus 106. They have yet to finish in the positive, with a best showing of minus 39 in 2003. They did not qualify in 1995. Canada had easily their worst tournament to date with a minus 163 differential. They have finished in the positive on two occasions, with a best effort of plus 32 in 1999. Their previous worst was minus 86 in 2011. Georgia had their second best showing despite finishing on minus 57. They have never finished in the positive since first qualifying in 2003, reaching a high point with minus 42 in 2007 and a low of minus 154 on debut. Romania did not qualify this year. They also have never finished with a positive differential, peaking at minus 31 in 1991 and reaching a low point of minus 127 in 2003. Team projections: Fiji: -45, -36, DNQ, +56, -16, -22, -108, -17, +2 Samoa: DNQ, +20, +8, +25, +21, -74, +42, -55, -70 Tonga: -69, DNQ, -46, -124, -132, -7, -18, -60, -38 Japan: -75, -10, -197, -104, -84, -146, -115, -2, +53 USA: -60, -89, DNQ, -83, -39, -81, -84, -106, -104 Canada: -37, +12, -27, +32, -81, -69, -86, -73, -163 Georgia: DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, DNQ, -154, -61, -42, -70, -57 Romania: -41, -33, -83, -76, -127, -121, -125, -69, DNQ NB: Three tier 2 nations finished in the positive in 1999. Both this year and in 1991 that figure was two, while in 1995, 2003 and 2011 it was one. No 2nd tier team managed a positive differential at the 1987, 2007 and 2015 installments. This is a little surprising, given the success of individual teams at those particular editions.
From North
Roar Rookie
For the Russian ear, Malaysia Valke sounds normal. They are already talking about the New Zealand team in China. I don’t know, maybe Shanghai.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Malaysia Valke is an awful name :laughing: Good luck with that, but I think they'll stick to the Pacific and South East Asia - as far as Hong Kong.
From North
Roar Rookie
As I understand it, Rapid plans to expand and create two conferences. North and South. Enisei and Krasny Yar can enter the northern conference with Hong Kong, China (Bay of Plenty), Singapore and Malaysia Valke. There is a small distance. And direct flights from Hong Kong and China to Krasnoyarsk.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Ok, fair enough, but Krasnoyarsk and Enisei won't be a drawcard for Rapid Rugby.
From North
Roar Rookie
They cannot unite. They have a historical confrontation. This is like Stade France and Racing. This is a real derby. Not quite like football. No fan fights. But tougher than in the rugby world. Yes and no such tradition in Russia. We have traditionally a club system in sports.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I said before, I think they should have a Siberian Tigers regional team and look for competition in Asia, perhaps even Rapid Rugby.
From North
Roar Rookie
Quote level is dumb and dumber. RUR official: "We intend to solve the climate problem through powerful funding." They carry such nonsense that it is impossible to pull on your head. Are you going to send an expedition to the Sun to increase its temperature? Fans in shock. Write a revealing article on the topic. Perhaps they will change their minds when they see that they are criticized from Australia. https://rugby.ru/news/chempionat-rossii-po-regbi-ofitsialno-perekhodit-na-sistemu-osen-vesna/ Moscow liberals have such a mentality that for them have an important opinion from the West than people from Russia. They want to copy everything from the West without taking into account the realities in Russia. If in Europe they play in the winter, and in the summer they relax. then you must do the same, then the level of rugby will increase. They are idiots.
From North
Roar Rookie
You can’t change the climate. Russia, on the contrary, has been losing its place in the Challenge Cup since 2020. One strategic mistake crosses out many successful tactical successes. I hope that the Krasnoyarsk clubs will not accept this decision.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Sounds like they want to align with Europe and force the Siberians to adapt to the program.
From North
Roar Rookie
Idiots. Moscow lobbyists officially transferred the league system of Russia to the fall-spring format as in Europe. That is, in the summer in Russia they will not play rugby. They approved it even without specific parameters. Now they will come up with how to do it. Idiots. In a northern country where winter is 5-6 months to play in winter. Morons. They listened to Jones from Wales, who has the Gulf Stream, and Wales winter is like October in Russia. If the Krasnoyarsk clubs do not go to Rapid, then they will degrade in this swamp. Really a lot of money. The Russian budget is $ 12 million. No. 12 in the world. Like Argentina. But they are led by idiots.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Draw: Safari 7s draw: POOLS Pool A; South Africa, Uganda, Moran’s, Burundi Pool B; Samurai, Western Province, Narvskaya Zastava Pool C; Shujaa, Blue Bulls, Russia Academy, Zambia Pool D; Spain, Zimbabwe, Seventise, KCB RFC
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Wonderful news for African rugby: In what is becoming one of Uganda rugby’s Cinderella stories, Phillip Wokorach has continued to engrave his name in the Bourges XV books by the day after an impressive debut on Sunday - hence on the back of signing a nine-month contract.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I'm on it, Aussie. Thanks for the reminder tho. Safari 7s are also back this weekend, with the Blitzbokke one of a number of international teams headed for Nairobi :stoked:
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Great comments. Japan have obviously benefited a great deal from the Sunwolves' involvement in Super Rugby, which was why World Rugby itself pushed for their inclusion, albeit to the detriment of the competition. Elsewhere, no sign of improvement or gaps closing. Tier 1 teams beat Tier 2 teams (not including Russia, Namibia & Uruguay, who are tour 3) by an average of just over 26 points, down slightly on past tournaments, except for 1991 when the average margin was only 20.
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
IW, Don't forget this weekend matches: RugbyEurope International Championships 19/10 CYP - CRO SRB - TUR SLO - ISR LUX - CZE
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
IW I likle you article and the the Japanese have done a fantastic job this tournament in all aspects. however the issue yet again that Paper over the cracks is the structural issues of the t2 countries and the lack of touring from the established powers to t2 nations. i.e .England to regularly tour Romania and Georgia and the likes of NZ to tour the PI Nations at least once a year. the RWC reveals the lack of of development in some countries. Don't get me started on Canada :) In addition to Japan, Uruguay have been a revelation what did them in was the the 3 days turnaround and were undercooked against Georgia. otherwise it would have been a different result. Fiji where just unlucky. The draw was skewed in favour of the tops nations there is no avoiding it. RWC 2023 has it's flaws in terms of the qualification. until RWC is fixed properly. the issues will remain the same.
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
The human element is hiding the current failing in Rugby Canada and lack of development, is cover up the issue happening over there. I am all for what the Canadian team did in the Hurrican relief but it doesn't hide the fact that Canada Rugby has structural problems
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
So, NZ have retained their unbeaten run in pool matches, extended this to 30, NZ, Australia and France have reached their 9th straight quarter-finals, the Americas will not be represented in the last 8 for just the 3rd time, following 87, 95 & 03, and Japan has become the 13th nation to reach the quarter-finals - the first from Asia, meaning all the continents have now been represented at that stage of the tournament. Japan is also the first new quarter-finalist this century.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
So, NZ have retained their unbeaten run in pool matches, extended this to 30, NZ, Australia and France have reached their 9th straight quarter-finals, the Americas will not be represented in the last 8 for just the 3rd time, following 87, 95 & 03, and Japan has become the 13th nation to reach the quarter-finals - the first from Asia, meaning all the continents have now been represented at that stage of the tournament. Japan is also the first new quarter-finalist this century: First RWC Quarter FInal: 2019: Japan 2015: - 2011: - 2007: - 2003: - 1999: Argentina 1995: South Africa 1991: Canada, Samoa 1987: NZ, Aus, Eng, Wal, Sco, Fiji, Ire, Fra Other stats collected from various sources: INDIVIDUAL RECORDS Overall Most points: Tamura (Jpn) 48 - well clear of equally surprising second place, Berchesi Pisano (Urug) – 30. Most tries: Matsushima (Jpn) & Adams (Wal) – 5 From the teams that only played 3 matches Most points: J Barrett (NZ) & Mo’unga (NZ) – 26 Most tries: Cowan-Dickie (Eng) – 3 For the All Blacks Most points: J Barrett (NZ) & Mo’unga (NZ) – 26 Most tries: J Barrett, S Barrett, Lienert-Brown, Reece, B Smith, Weber – 2 TEAM RECORDS Overall Most points: South Africa 185 Most tries: South Africa 27 From the teams that only played 3 matches Most points: All Blacks 157 Most tries: All Blacks 22