RSA vs Japan

First topic message reminder :

There's no thread for this one - I think SA so far look less than impressive. They're trying to play at a high tempo but making mistakes, whilst the Japanese are also playing at that tempo and looking promising. They're certainly hitting hard in the tackle.

RSA should eventually win at a canter, but I wonder what will be said in the aftermath. Please use this thread to discuss that.

Oh my god "We're Doomed"....
Was so looking forward to us playing a nice warm up again the Cherry Blossoms. Now I am pretty damn cacking myself.

So chuffed I watched this fantastic performance from the start. The RWC is fecking alive n kicking

The commentators mentioned during the First half that Eddie Jones went to Bayern Munich to get advice from Pep Guardiola. Basically played tika taka with rugby ball today. Kept possession. Decided against kicking it away. Their try to get to 29-29 was basically a Barcelona drill with a rugby ball.

Irish TV showing highlights of the Ireland game- feck that, I want to see more of the Japan game back!

All youth coaches out there please get a copy of that tape and teach kids to play like that. speed, passion and pure determination.

A very special day. South Africans will be gutted, but this was a match for the history books and excellent for the game. Congratulations Japan.

Oh my god "We're Doomed"....
Was so looking forward to us playing a nice warm up again the Cherry Blossoms. Now I am pretty damn cacking myself.

So chuffed I watched this fantastic performance from the start. The RWC is fecking alive n kicking

oRgASm

https://vine.co/v/eULbEQYKBPg

To think certain people thought Jesse Kriel was a better 13 than Mapoe
#Lolz
#MegaLolz
#NoReallyItsLikeYouDidntWatchS15

bit quiet in my household at the moment.

Wow, the Boks got Ninja'd, who'd have thought it? Sensational game!

よくやった

What a game

you have to give absolute credit to Japan. Delivered a near perfect game. Don't think they made any unforced errors, very few handling errors, kept the ball, matched the Boks physicality and neutralised their scrum with channel one ball. That was a victory built on perfect basics and very intelligent strategies. Chapeau!

I'm just thinking back to the last World Cup when France lost to Tonga, and still reached the Final. South Africa will be under such pressure but there is going to be a big reaction.

True Notch was just saying on another post here that the boks are far from a bad side. They were leading the ABs until the 65th min 2 months ago, lost on the last play to AUS in AUS too.

But the age of the side is ridiculous. 10 players over 30 in the starting XV. The other 5... Du Toit, De Jager, Lambie, Kriel... all under 24. With Mvovo 29... old for a winger.

It looks like teams know how to play them. Been saying it for years that the way to play the boks is high intensity, fitness based rugby. NZ have been saying the same.. Old and heavy is not a good combination.

It's no coincidence, though Fa. We faded towards the end against New Zealand at Ellis Park last year (would have lost but for a bit of kiwi stupidity). Faded in Australia as well, when Morne forgot how to kick. This year we faded against both Australia and New Zealand. And now, a mostly semi pro Japanese side basically beat us 12-3 in the last 15-20 minutes. We can be run off our feet. Of teams keep it close, they know they can catch us fading

The prize for "the biggest nadgers in the world cup" has already been won by Japan. What guts and faith in your own abilities. Is there a single 6N team (or anywhere else for that matter) that would have scrummed that last penalty?
As a Scot, I am now pooping myself. I did, arrogantly in hindsight, think that a run-out against Japan would blow the cobwebs off the front-line players but give the entire bench at least half an hour to finish the job off.
Can SA lift themselves for the rest of the games?

Fantastic game  Outside of a few England games I think that's the most I've enjoyed a match ever.

I was watching the game over at my parents' house with my dad (who isn't really a rugby fan) and when Japan scored the final try he shouted so loud he frightened my mum!

Japan were brilliant. Eddie Jones has got them so well drilled while still maintaining the flair. Error-free, uninhibited rugby with the right balance of patience and dynamism. Taking on the SA scrum at the death when they had a penalty for the draw available is one of the most gutsy decisions in world rugby. The way they just kept coming back and weren't fazed by the 2nd half SA scores was remarkable.

Mauling SA back over their line for the try will be one of the iconic moments of this World Cup.

Here's hoping they can continue the momentum.

Great win. Japan started so well but I thought South Africa would overpower them in the later stages. Great to see Japan's tempo last throughout the game. They were very much like the Japanese football team in the World Cup, good tempo, good technique.

I said yesterday, I would like to see some shocks. Just hope Japan can make it through to the quarter finals. Would be great for them ahead of the 2019 World Cup in Japan. These wins for Georgia and Japan are good for the tournament.

I just hope these teams can get more teams against the established top ten between World Cups.

Not too much momentum please, have a thought for the underdogs next match!

Outrageous game by Japan. Took it to SA all game, brilliant determination and never give up attitude .Hard lines biltong, fa, kingraf but the try at the end and the celebrations of the players, staff, crowd, stewards was excellent.
Special mention to Steve borthwick as Japan's forwards coach..

Notch wrote:I'm just thinking back to the last World Cup when France lost to Tonga, and still reached the Final. South Africa will be under such pressure but there is going to be a big reaction.

That's why I don't like bonus points. Without bonus points and on head-to-head records, Tonga would have made the quarter finals in 2011.

Just look at today's game. Japan put in a fantastic effort to win but are only two points ahead of South Africa. What nonsense. Any win should be a four point advantage over your opponents in the actual table.

sportform wrote: I just hope these teams can get more teams against the established top ten between World Cups.

Great point, sf. Unfortunately, though, rugby can have a tendency to laud the upstarts who provide a shock but then neglect them between WCs. Georgia could have been pushed on but they didn't get the quality of fixtures to allow them to do this.
Sadly this comes from self-interest from, doubly-sadly, the likes of Scotland as the last thing the SRU need is another team that could elbow in on our 3rd tier raking!

I have just seen a stat on the BBC pages; this is Japan's first WC win in 18 games dating back to 1991!!!!!! Normally team break a bad run of defeats when they play us

Cyril wrote:Fantastic game  Outside of a few England games I think that's the most I've enjoyed a match ever.

I was watching the game over at my parents' house with my dad (who isn't really a rugby fan) and when Japan scored the final try he shouted so loud he frightened my mum!

Japan were brilliant. Eddie Jones has got them so well drilled while still maintaining the flair. Error-free, uninhibited rugby with the right balance of patience and dynamism. Taking on the SA scrum at the death when they had a penalty for the draw available is one of the most gutsy decisions in world rugby. The way they just kept coming back and weren't fazed by the 2nd half SA scores was remarkable.

Mauling SA back over their line for the try will be one of the iconic moments of this World Cup.

Here's hoping they can continue the momentum.

I think Japan were superb, but I'm convinced that they went for the scrum because they thought it was more likely to come off than a difficult kick with a kicker who isn't a Halfpenny

ChequeredJersey wrote:

Cyril wrote:Fantastic game  Outside of a few England games I think that's the most I've enjoyed a match ever.

I was watching the game over at my parents' house with my dad (who isn't really a rugby fan) and when Japan scored the final try he shouted so loud he frightened my mum!

Japan were brilliant. Eddie Jones has got them so well drilled while still maintaining the flair. Error-free, uninhibited rugby with the right balance of patience and dynamism. Taking on the SA scrum at the death when they had a penalty for the draw available is one of the most gutsy decisions in world rugby. The way they just kept coming back and weren't fazed by the 2nd half SA scores was remarkable.

Mauling SA back over their line for the try will be one of the iconic moments of this World Cup.

Here's hoping they can continue the momentum.

I think Japan were superb, but I'm convinced that they went for the scrum because they thought it was more likely to come off than a difficult kick with a kicker who isn't a Halfpenny

You could be right (though the kicker was good). Who would have ever thought that Japan taking the scrum against SA would be the 'safer' option!?

One thing about Japan's scrum. Even during the game when SA had a shove on Japan just got it in, hooked it properly, and got it out via the number 8. Something a few other sides should take notice of (I'm looking at you, England!).

Japan have been a very good scrummaging team for a long time, now the rest of their game is coming along too.

I've also thought they were solid in that regard, but not as good as I saw today. It all seemed to come together at once. We'll soon see whether it was just one of those 'perfect' games or the sign of something more long-term. Hope it's the latter.

Breadvan wrote:Outrageous game by Japan. Took it to SA all game, brilliant determination and never give up attitude .Hard lines biltong, fa, kingraf but the try at the end and the celebrations of the players, staff, crowd, stewards was excellent.

If you looked closely enough, there was a copper grinning like an idiot too!!

Yeah, it was brilliant to see the unconfined joy. Not a dry eye in the house. I just hope England are never involved in one of those 'great days for rugby'

just saw the odds pre match... they were 80/1 to win.

For reference purposes Buster Douglas was 42/1 when he beat Tyson in the greatest upset in boxing history.

To say Japan have been sleeping giants is a bit of an over-statement.... this is a side who lost to Fiji, Tonga and the USA earlier this year when they generally get all their players available compared to the PI nations.
They only just scrapped past Georgia a few weeks ago.

That's how big this result was.

Yeah, its all memorable and inspirational until the day it happens to you!

In terms of potential (player base and infrastructure/funding) Japan are probably a 'sleeping giant'. They can obviously attract the top coaches too.

Having said that, no-one (least of all the bookies) saw this one coming.

to be honest and I know some will just say sour grapes but I don't see Japan becoming a force in the game... not without min ten of their players being foreign imports... and they will all be the dros of other nations player pool.

Prior to the foreign influx the biggest guys they could muster were about 6'4. The size of the indigenous Japanese players is a problem for their long term prospects. Today the best players on the pitch were non-Japanese Japan players.

They may be able to improve on their results now but I can't see them ever getting to a stage where they become genuine threats.

No, but they can certainly win one-off games.

Too true Notch, If you can beat a first team bok side in a RWC... you can have your day with any team in the world bar NZ.

sportform wrote:

Notch wrote:I'm just thinking back to the last World Cup when France lost to Tonga, and still reached the Final. South Africa will be under such pressure but there is going to be a big reaction.

That's why I don't like bonus points. Without bonus points and on head-to-head records, Tonga would have made the quarter finals in 2011.

Just look at today's game. Japan put in a fantastic effort to win but are only two points ahead of South Africa. What nonsense. Any win should be a four point advantage over your opponents in the actual table.

Totally agree and that's why we all love the 6N and don't want it changed.

For me the thing about RWC`s is the odd result,ALL teams at full strength[injuries permitting].
Only Ireland today have been predictable,MOST sides have shown strong Scrums many
better than England.
SA have done enough to still win the Group,Japan have been threatening something
like that for several RWCs [2011?]
Great game brilliant both sides to score 4 tries and still lose to a tier 2 side ?
running out of steam looks a problem still.
2014 Ellis Park had the penalty been 5 mins earlier v AB`s would still have expected
late AB win.
GREAT all to play for,only sour note TMO shows and too many penalties awarded etc.

fa0019 wrote:to be honest and I know some will just say sour grapes but I don't see Japan becoming a force in the game... not without min ten of their players being foreign imports... and they will all be the dros of other nations player pool.

Prior to the foreign influx the biggest guys they could muster were about 6'4. The size of the indigenous Japanese players is a problem for their long term prospects. Today the best players on the pitch were non-Japanese Japan players.
.

Disagree a bit here, the best players were motm tanaka at 9 and there full back both Japanese. And all other teams need 'Foreign' players with almost every European team having a south African, kiwi and a Pacific islander playing for them

emack2 wrote:For me the thing about RWC`s is the odd result,ALL teams at full strength[injuries permitting].
Only Ireland today have been predictable,MOST sides have shown strong Scrums many
better than England.
SA have done enough to still win the Group,Japan have been threatening something
like that for several RWCs [2011?]
Great game brilliant both sides to score 4 tries and still lose to a tier 2 side ?
running out of steam looks a problem still.
2014 Ellis Park had the penalty been 5 mins earlier v AB`s would still have expected
late AB win.
GREAT all to play for,only sour note TMO shows and too many penalties awarded etc.

Agree about the TMO, it's getting extremely annoying when a conversion's been lined up only for the ref to change his mind after watching the replay. It's a very ham-handed way of ensuring the correct decision's being made.

Some very strong performances from Japan born players there. Every country in the world is taking advantage of foreign born players when it benefits them, and Japan using them to plug gaps is no different. But performances like this are the ones that bring more young people to the game as well as investment into the sport in Japan, so it will stand them in good stead long-run

How much will losing that game mean to SA fANS BACK HOME'

Simply amazing. One of the greatest games & probably the best finish to a game I've seen. Just felt so exhilarated by that! Entire family were crouching by the TV for the last 5 minutes.

Take my hat off to Japan. So brave at the end & just gutted we have to play them next. My new second team for sure!

majesticimperialman wrote:How much will losing that game mean to SA fANS BACK HOME'

Could it be a drive to bring Japan into the Rugby Championship?

VinceWLB wrote:

sportform wrote:

Notch wrote:I'm just thinking back to the last World Cup when France lost to Tonga, and still reached the Final. South Africa will be under such pressure but there is going to be a big reaction.

That's why I don't like bonus points. Without bonus points and on head-to-head records, Tonga would have made the quarter finals in 2011.

Just look at today's game. Japan put in a fantastic effort to win but are only two points ahead of South Africa. What nonsense. Any win should be a four point advantage over your opponents in the actual table.

Totally agree and that's why we all love the 6N and don't want it changed.

In effect, Japan only get half a win for their great effort.

Marshes wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:How much will losing that game mean to SA fANS BACK HOME'

Could it be a drive to bring Japan into the Rugby Championship?

Both Japan and Argentina have got franchises in the Super Rugby next year.

sportform wrote:

Marshes wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:How much will losing that game mean to SA fANS BACK HOME'

Could it be a drive to bring Japan into the Rugby Championship?

Both Japan and Argentina have got franchises in the Super Rugby next year.

Forgive the ignorance but does that mean they will be in the RC in 2016? Also, last I heard the franchise in Japan was in big trouble. Hope this gives them a bit of incentive to sort it out!

What made this win so great, was seeing the bench high five go and celebrating 15 mins before the end of the match. They were just dig spot to have pushed the bokks so far. They deserved the win so badly. Incredible mentality

There is 10 places between them in the rankings. I wonder is that biggest gulf between lower ranked winner and higher ranked loser

Who was man of the match?