The last time Japan caused a major shock at a Rugby World Cup they made a movie about it. The 2015 Miracle of Brighton was supposed to have been a complete one-off, never to be repeated. Now, suddenly, there is a blockbuster sequel that could generate even more at the box office. For the tournament organisers and everyone else seeking to promote rugby in Asia, this was the stuff of oval-shaped dreams.
It will also hopefully transform a few perceptions elsewhere in the world. As anyone who watched this game will know, this was not some opportunist smash-and-grab raid but a richly deserved, fully justified victory over a team who were recently ranked No 1 in the world. Japan are supposed to be unworthy of so-called tier-one status but they have just harpooned one of the biggest whales in the sport.
Written by Robert Kitson in Hanazono
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/28/japan-ireland-rugby-world-cup under the title “Japan’s Shizuoka Sensation against Ireland can attract new audience | Robert Kitson”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
