I might be on my own in this, but as a Welshman I’m not too downhearted that Japan have comfortably beaten a young Welsh side in Tokyo this morning.
It’s great for the Japanese side, it’s good to boost the world game, it will drive interest over there ahead of the World Cup in 2019. And, for the Welsh boys involved, they’ll use the experience to get stronger – they’ll never want to experience anything like that again.
Congratulations Japan!
The Lions ground out a tough 22-12 win over the Queensland Reds in Brisbane in what was quite an assignment for the tourists. The Reds played with such a high tempo and apparent freedom, typified by the excellent Quade Cooper. Still, in the east coast rain, Warren Gatland will be generally content with the shift his team put in.
Players’ verdict:
15: Stuart Hogg – lively, generally assured, although he’s not in contention to start against the Wallabies…7/10
14: Alex Cuthbert – looked laboured and slow in the first half when he was trumped in attack and defence by opposite number Luke Morahan. Blow to his prospects of starting the first test…5 Read the rest of this entry »
It’s Japan v Wales this morning (more on that later), and so an excuse to post these sensational passages of play by Japan:
Japan’s incredible team try in the 2007 World Cup against Wales
Andrew Miller’s monster drop goal in the 2003 Rugby World Cup
Unfortunately, I haven’t managed to find any clips from the France v Japan game at the 2011 World Cup, when the eventual finalists were ahead by just 25-21 with 13 minutes left.
Obviously I was supporting Wales in their early-morning tour match in Osaka against Japan. But quite a big part of me wanted to see the hosts do as well as possible.
The main problem with international rugby is the fact there have only ever been nine decent international sides. Really, it’s vital nations such as Japan improve (particularly critical in their case, considering they’re hosting the World Cup in six years) and other countries start to challenge for a place in the tournament. Only 25 teams have ever featured in the seven World Cups which have taken place.
Obviously with most of the Welsh team away with the Lions, touring somewhere like Japan makes sense. But it was good to see both that the teams were evenly matched and that the grandstands at the Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium were pretty packed. Read the rest of this entry »
An Early Bath 