Japan v SA: Clash of cultures
WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: Pacy Japan will pit their structured ball-holding and accuracy in attack against a tough-as-teak South Africa side.
This quarterfinal showdown next weekend comes after Japan’s electrifying 28-21 victory over Scotland.
They will face a Springboks team with a rigid structured game – based on tactical kicking and defence.
When Japan beat South Africa four years ago – having won only one of their previous 24 World Cup matches – it was considered the greatest shock in the tournament’s history.
This time, having already beaten Ireland three weeks ago, it did not even feel like a real surprise when they beat Scotland.
They were faster, sharper, more inventive and, roared on by the vast majority of the delirious red-clad 72,000 crowd, as they became the first tier-two team to reach the last eight since Fiji in 2007.
It would have been a crying shame for all involved at a packed Yokohama Stadium had the Pool A decider not gone ahead, following the deadly Typhoon Hagibis that swept through eastern Japan overnight.
World Rugby gave the green light and the spectacle on show was a refreshing take on a sport that often degenerates into a scripted battle of dominance where there is little enterprise on show.
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Jamie Joseph’s Japanese team, a mix of startling speedsters and hardened, defensively savvy veterans, demonstrated not only a devastating attacking verve but also an ability to retain possession that more than deserved the deafening roars of “Nippon! Nippon!” that echoed around the stadium for much of the game.
Japan gave their typhoon-hit nation reason to celebrate with the victory that set up a last-eight clash with two-time champions South Africa.
Wales beat Uruguay 35-13 to confirm a quarterfinal against France, while England will play old rivals Australia and defending champions New Zealand will face Ireland in next week’s quarterfinals.
In a game that was nearly cancelled because of Typhoon Hagibis, which swept through Japan on Saturday killing at least 26, Japan clung on to make it four wins from four in their pool.
“To everyone that’s suffering from the typhoon, this game was for you guys,” said Japan captain Michael Leitch.
“It was more than just a game for us – there was talk this game may not happen – so our heart goes out to everyone that’s suffering tonight with the typhoon.”
The crucial fixture, the final game of the pool stage, had been the source of an ugly war of words between organisers and Scotland who threatened to sue if it were cancelled.
It was only confirmed early on Sunday after an inspection of facilities following Typhoon Hagibis, one of Japan’s worst storms in recent years, which caused widespread flooding.
Organisers gave the green light for the Pool A showdown, Wales’s game against Uruguay, and Tonga’s meeting with the United States, but they pulled the plug on Namibia’s meeting with Canada in Kamaishi.
Tournament Director Alan Gilpin said floods and landslides had given him “no option” but to scrap the match in Kamaishi – a town devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
Images posted on social media showed the Canadian players helping out with the clean-up operation, as captain Tyler Ardron admitted it was “disappointing” not to play.
A poignant moment’s silence was held before all three games to remember the victims of Hagibis, whose “unprecedented” heavy rain triggered deadly landslides and caused rivers to burst their banks.
Wales’ win over Uruguay made it four out of four for the Six Nations champions – the first time they have won their first four World Cup games since the inaugural edition in 1987.
But coach Warren Gatland said he was not happy with the sloppy manner of Wales’ win, which came just four days after their bruising victory over Fiji.
A second-string Wales found unexpected resistance from Uruguay, who were only one point down at the break, and they needed late tries to Tomos Williams and Gareth Davies to give the scoreline some gloss.
“Not too happy with some of tonight. We were poor at times, not clinical. Too many turnovers in that first half,” said Gatland.
“Probably blew four or five chances. But the boys showed a little bit of character.”
Earlier captain Siale Piutau enjoyed an emotional, try-scoring send-off as Tonga beat the United States 31-19 to finish with their first win of the tournament.
Piutau, playing his last Test, dotted down in the second half and was handed Tonga’s final conversion, a kick in front of the posts after full-time, as his team-mates lined up behind him.
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