Japan
30
Match Complete
Russia
10
| R. Matsuda |  | 70 | ||
| K. Matsushima |  | 68 | ||
| Y. Tamura |  | 63 | ||
| 60 | | Y. Kushnarev | ||
| P. Labuschagne | | 46 | ||
| Y. Tamura | | 43 | ||
| Y. Tamura | | 39 | ||
| K. Matsushima | | 38 | ||
| K. Matsushima | | 11 | ||
| 5 | | Y. Kushnarev | ||
| 4 | | K. Golosnitskiy |
| 4 | Tries | 1 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
It’s finally here as the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off with the hosts Japan facing Russia in Tokyo. Join The Roar from 8:45pm (AEST) for live scores and a live blog of the tournament opener at a sold-out ground.
This is a straight-forward task for Japan, at least on paper. They go in against Russia as heavy favourites.
Considering their opposition in Pool A – Ireland, Scotland, Russia and Samoa – they can afford no slip-ups if the want to reach the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Points difference could come into it, so the Brave Blossoms will need to put a cricket score on the Russians.
They caused one of biggest shocks ever at the 2015 World Cup, when they beat South Africa, and they will be out to do the same on home soil.
Yu Tamara has been picked to start at fly-half and Luke Thompson is included on the bench. At the ripe old age of 38, Thompson could become the oldest player to represent Japan in the competition and the first to play in four World Cups.
Japan will be captained by the experienced forward Michael Leitch. They head into this game after a 41-7 loss to the Springboks in a warm-up match.
For Russia, they are lucky to be even at this World Cup. The only made it only after Romania were disqualified for fielding ineligible players.
Their warm-up form has been poor, with a series of defeats. They even lost to Jersey.
Russia’s coach Lyn Jones has named nine players in his World Cup squad who traveled to New Zealand for the global tournament in 2011.
These two countries have met six times since their first match in 2002. Japan have won five with Russia’s sole success coming in 2003.
Prediction
Russia may have size in the forward pack but Japan will have the edge in speed and skill, with a much more experienced and talented talent pool to draw from.
Japan to win by 26 points.
Join The Roar from 8:45pm (AEST) for the play by play.
When: 8:45pm (AEST)
Where: Tokyo Stadium, Japan
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Japan $1.02, Draw $66, Russia $33,
Japan
William Tupou, Kotaro Matsushima, Timothy Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Lomano Lava Lemeki, Yu Tamura, Yutaka Nagare, Kazuki Himeno, Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch (c), James Moore, Wimpie van der Walt, Asaeli Ai Valu, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki.
Reserves: Atsushi Sakate, Isileli Nakajima, Jiwon Koo, Luke Thompson, Hendrik Tui, Fumiaki Tanaka, Rikiya Matsuda, Ryohei Yamanaka.
Russia
Vasily Artemyev (c), German Davydov, Vladimir Ostroushko, Dmitry Gerasimov, Kirill Golosnitskiy, Yury Kushnarev, Vasily Dorofeev, Nikita Vavilin, Tagir Gadzhiev, Vitaly Zhivatov, Bogdan Fedotko, Andrey Ostrikov, Kirill Gotovtsev, Stanislav Selskii, Valery Morozov.
Reserves: Evgeny Matveev, Andrei Polivalov, Azamat Bitiev, Andrey Garbuzov, Anton Sychev, Dmitry Perov, Ramil Gaisin, Vladislav Sozonov.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
They were great... just needed a little more speed.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
A great read. Is he the one that got away?
Harry Jones
Expert
Check out my piece on Lappies ... https://www.theroar.com.au/2015/02/26/the-art-of-tackling-according-to-pieter-labuschagne/
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Check this, mate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWQa5araJIc
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I have seen the highlights. An Afrikaner Jonah Lomu. :happy:
Yep, see if you can ind highlights of Os du Randt in full flight, or Andre Venter or Juan Smith. Poetry in motion. :happy:
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Is there a more beautiful sight than a forward showing some wheels while scoring a long individual try?
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
I am a big fan of him. Last year in SR, Lappies bossed the Saders back row in CHCH. Kiwi commentator legend Nisbeth was waxing lyrical all game long. How many Bokke players have that gold star on their CV's? But in this game, Himeno was the best Japanese back-rower. He got some serious power. He has also been really solid in SR when I have seen him. IMHO, the only Japanese born forward that could play - in a meaningful way - on a higher level. France (T14), Scotland (P14), New Zealand (SR and M10). He would do good.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Maybe it's just the excitement of the RWC starting, but I really enjoyed that game, and I thought the opening ceremony was excellent.
Harry Jones
Expert
Good blog!
Yeah nice try he scored
Harry Jones
Expert
Lappies not bad, hey?
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
Thanks John, well done
Kiwi in us
Guest
Russia really impressed in first quarter but fitness then showed. What was with the Japanese fullback mid judging high kicks. The commentary I had said a swirling wind. But the misses were pretty big. Same with a kickoff or two. Is this stadium known for this?
John Davidson
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT A Kotaro Matsushima hat-trick has helped Japan overcome a tough Russian side and record a 30-10 win in their World Cup opener. Japan were expected to dominate Russia as the tournament kicked off in Tokyo. But their opponents put up a strong fight and challenged their more experienced rivals every inch of the way. Matsushima touched down for three tries, making history as the first Japanese player to do so in a World Cup game, to ensure victory. It was a horrible start for the nervy Cherry Blossoms after they fumbled the kick off. After just five minutes Russia took the lead when Kirill Golosnitskiy pounced on a Japanese knock on, broke through a tackle and scored. The hosts were shell-shocked at 7-0 down. But they hit back seven minutes later when Matsushima got his first try of the night after a lovely offload. Russia continue to stifle Japan with their line speed and kicking game. The Cherry Blossoms struggled to deal with high kicks and made many errors. Right before the half-time break Matsushima got over the try-line again, but the five-pointer was chalked off by the video referee after he lost control of the ball. The winger made amends just before the interval, putting the Asian nation 12-7 ahead. In the second half Japan took a 15-7 lead through a penalty goal. With the Russians tiring against their speedy opponents, the Cherry Blossoms looked to take advantage. Japan started to keep the ball in tight and make Russia work harder in defence. A brilliant solo try then came to Pieter Labuschagne when he ripped the ball free and raced away 50 metres to touch down. Japan appeared in control at 20-7. But Russia kept coming and after winning a series of scrum penalties, they nailed a shot at goal to make it 20-10. The two teams traded penalty goals, Japan going to 23-10, before Matsushima struck for the third and final time. A poor Russian kick was punished with a quick shift to the right and the winger glided over. Japan escaped as winners but Russia leave Tokyo with a lot of respect for their hardy display.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Not a bad opener at all. Extra props to Russia for playing a lot better than expected for the full 80 minutes. Would love to have a chat with Tony Brown about the Japan kicking tactics. Japan will probably not be the only team with some big stage nerves in the opening round. Easy to forget sometimes how much bigger the World Cup is than anything else in the rugby world. It was expected, but the Japanese crowd is just awesome.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I thought that their wings were quality. A lot of quality across the team actually. Never gave up even under the rapid fire attack from Japan. Lacked a bit of kicking and game smarts. But a lot of quality effort in that.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
TRY RUSSIA, not Japan.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Russia needed a couple of fast wingers and they really could have given Japan a good nudge.
Bonus point win for Japan, great effort by Russia