Australian-raised back-row warrior Ben Gunter has made an impassioned plea for the Brave Blossoms’ inclusion into the Rugby Championship after Japan almost pulled off a historic win over the Wallabies.
Gunter was immense as a late try to Wallabies debutant Connal McInerney clinched a 32-23 victory for Australia over Japan in Oita on Saturday.
After stunning Scotland and Ireland en route to the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals in front of their delirious home fans, the Brave Blossoms threatened another famous boilover after pulling to within four points of the Wallabies with the clock winding down.
Asked by AAP if Japan should be welcomed into a new-look Rugby Championship after cementing their place in the world’s top ten, Gunter’s response was an emphatic yes.
“One hundred per cent, mate,” Gunter said.
“Today was our first game from being apart, being separated – we all had a bit of time off – and that’s our first game back and we did really well.
“Obviously we didn’t get the result that we wanted but it shows that the Japanese level of rugby now is very competitive.
“Like, we are taking it to tier-one teams. We don’t look at them as though they’re going to smash us. We look at them as like we can beat these teams week in, week out.”
The Rugby Championship currently features Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina, with SANZAAR this year announcing that the world champion Springboks had committed until at least 2030.
The Boks opted out in 2020 because of the global pandemic, raising doubts after their ongoing participation amid speculation that South African Super Rugby franchises were considering joining an expanded PRO14.
But while South Africa is in the same time zone as the UK, Japan also seems a good fit for the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship.
“The other thing is, too, we play very exciting rugby,” Gunter said.
“We like to keep the ball in play and I think that’s what fans want to see.
“They want to see the ball in play, non-structured rugby, offloads, the kicking game.
“So 100 per cent Japan can easily compete with these teams at that level so they should be invited to those championship games and stuff.
“If you ask anybody, mate, everyone’s keen to see the Japanese style of rugby.”
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said it was above his pay grade to make such calls but claimed – tellingly – that the pace of Saturday’s game was “more up-tempo than some of the Rugby Championship games”.
“Definitely not the New Zealand games,” Hooper said.
“(But) Japan are just a side that are improving out of sight.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said the only way was up for the Brave Blossoms.
“They’re a good side. They’ve got outstanding staff who have developed genuine depth,” he said.
“They’re only going to get better, I think.
“They’re certainly worthy of where they are sitting in the world and it’s certainly great that they’re playing a lot of tier-one nations now compared to what they were doing two or three years ago.”
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
I'd be all for the inclusion of the Cherry Blossum's, in the Rugby Champs. As it was, even without their outstanding captain, Leitch playing on Saturday, they just showed their class. With two outstanding coaches behind them, in Jamie & Tony, what could go wrong?
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
Well there’s a reasonably simple solution to that. Don’t. Instead look to go to a 6 team RC with Japan included and the 6th spot being up for grabs to a qualified from a 2nd group. Though for the first edition the 6th spot would go to Fiji. That could be a Pacific Nations Cup or a let’s call it Continental Cup with the 3 PIs, 2 Nth America, 2 Sth America possibly 2 Europe and 1 Africa. Two pools of 4. Winner of each pool plays in a final. Winner gets the 6th RC spot for that year (this would occur in June) added bonus of playing in the Continental Cup should be the guarantee of at least one game against the RC nations outside of the structure. Meaning in the 4th game of the June/July window while the winners of each pool play off for the RC spot. The other 6 get a game against the 6 RC nations. This way the RC could become a strict 5 game competition with teams only playing one another once.
Kiwikrs
Roar Rookie
Kenya? Or I'd like to see Georgia given more exposure (not African I know, but similar timezone and SA are branching out north).
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
At what point do we distinguish between Tier 1 and 2? Top 10, 12 or the qualifiers to last WC? Japan has benefited from playing “Tier 1” nations more often than other “Tier 2” nations. Are the other Tier 1 nations worried about maintaining their position if too much exposure given to the other rugby playing nations? It almost sounds like the English Premiership.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Problem is it makes what is already a logistical nightmare for SA and Argentina in particular even more difficult..also what does Japan want.? . They may be better off aligning themselves globally without the commitment of an annual tournament. They do seem more keen aligning themselves with Europe.. Personally I’m beginning to wonder if Argentina may also be better off doing the same.. Truth be told, putting aside sentiment, South Africa at so many levels would be better off going North… Financially a no brainer.. Already due to early participation of SA Franchises in Europe we are seeing top players returning to the local scene.. SA Franchises, in particular The Bulls now petitioning SA Rugby to raise their spending ceiling which currently sits at about 30% of clubs like Leinster and Munster.. Plenty of potential positives..
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Which African country would you suggest plays South Africa?
Aaron
Guest
If you guys like Brave Blossoms (Japan) to be part of the Rugby Championship vote on this petition! Personally I'd Japan to part of it given its my half country and they don't get many opportunities to play tier one nations a lot. Vote them in you guys really love them just as I do! https://www.change.org/p/sanzzar-bring-brave-blossoms-japan-into-the-rugby-championship
Ant
Guest
Why not include Japan but playing 8 games of Rugby Championship is overkill. One round is enough like the Six Nations, but with a final, that's a massive game. We could play the ABs home and away or in a three test series each year. Australia and NZ ought to commit to hosting one of the Pacific teams in a test each year.as SA should with African nations and Argentina with South or North American nations. This way the game develops in the tier two nations.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Personally I’d love to see the Japanese side in the championship. They play the game the way it’s meant to be played and their improvement has been spectacular over the last decade