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Games against Tonga, Canada will be key for Japan at rugby World Cup

Sports Sep. 06, 2011 - 01:40PM JST ( 16 )

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16 Comments

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ExportExpertSep. 06, 2011 - 02:15PM JST

Initially I felt Japan had a good chance against Tonga but after seeing all the support for the tongans in NZ i think Japan may struggle, the tongans will rise a level or two once those tongan drums get going in the crowd. they will beat Canada though 100% sure of that.
-1

LunchboxSep. 06, 2011 - 03:09PM JST

I don't believe JK is telling the truth when he says they are aiming for just 2 wins. Current IRB rankings have Tonga, Japan & Canada ranked 12th, 13th, and 14th, so it goes with saying that Japan should be aiming to beat both Tonga and Canada, both achievable goals and should be good games. Kirwin is a coach with high expectations though, he said after the last world cup that he was dissapointed that Japan didn't notch up any wins, but aimed to get to the knock out round in the next tournament, so why would he now aim for just 2 wins. So I would guess Kirwin is telling his squad that they should be aiming to beat France, and at the same time telling the media that they are aiming for 2 wins in the hope that France will write them off and field a weaker team. Highly unlikely that Japan can beat France, but France is pretty much guaranteed a spot in the playoffs with the ABs, so it will be a lot harder for them to get up for the game. If Japan play their best, and France play their worst, then ... and a whole lot of really bad luck went France's way ... then Japan might be able to pull an upset. Who am I kidding?

Tonga and Canada will both be hard games, Canada beat USA well this last month, and we Japan got their behinds kicked by USA. And as Exportexpert has said above, it's gonna be like a home game for Tonga, but there are a lot of Japan-crazy Japanese expats in NZ, and if anyone can afford tickets, it will be them. Kirwin will have his boys fired up though, they are a very strong mentally.

Anyone interested in watching Japan games in Tokyo. Head to Chichibunomiya stadium, they are setting up a giant screen and are expecting a big crowd of Sakura supporters that can't make the trip down under.
1

ratpackSep. 06, 2011 - 03:56PM JST

I think it will simply come down to how Japan pull through their opening games injury-wise against France and New Zealand. If they get through un-scathed then they might be a chance against Canada. Japan will have to play real good Rugby to beat Tonga in the World Cup. It will feel like a home game for Tonga playing in New Zealand.
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SushiSake3Sep. 06, 2011 - 05:00PM JST

It's going to be interesting to hear which team JK really supports when Japan fronts up against the ABs.

heh, heh, that'll be interesting. :-)

My wife's Japanese and a rugby fan so hope she still talks to me after that game. :-)
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BurakuminDesSep. 06, 2011 - 05:25PM JST

I've said all along - if the Brave Blossoms can hold the Blacks to less than a 100-point victory, it will be good going. Get within 50 of France - also good work. It's a real tough group - Canada are a decent team with quite a few Euro-based players, and Tonga is essentially playing a home game as others have stated. And they are physical as hell too - they are all big units those Tongans! Gonna be worth watching that's for sure!
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ExportExpertSep. 06, 2011 - 06:30PM JST

Anyone interested in watching Japan games in Tokyo. Head to Chichibunomiya stadium, they are setting up a giant screen and are expecting a big crowd of Sakura supporters that can't make the trip down under.

Thanks for the tip Lunchbox
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multitaskerSep. 06, 2011 - 10:26PM JST

Let the games begin!! Go Canada! The game vs. Japan will be my personal final. Then the AB vs. OZ in the real final should be awesome!
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lucabrasiSep. 06, 2011 - 11:05PM JST

@multitasker

Then the AB vs. OZ in the real final should be awesome!

Don't be too upset if "theAB" are knocked out by "theAW" in the semis :)
-4

pacific08Sep. 06, 2011 - 11:34PM JST

Lunchbox

If Japan play their best, and France play their worst, then ... and a whole lot of really bad luck went France's way ... then Japan might be able to pull an upset. Who am I kidding?

kidding urself only !
0

mrsynikSep. 06, 2011 - 11:48PM JST

Fingers crossed that the AB's will choke in the finals as normal.
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BurakuminDesSep. 07, 2011 - 12:38AM JST

Fingers crossed that the AB's will choke in the finals as normal.

Ha ha! Theyre rehearsing the excuses already! LOL
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ExportExpertSep. 07, 2011 - 11:43AM JST

Not gonna happen this time boys !
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multitaskerSep. 07, 2011 - 02:20PM JST

Sorry, who are the AWs? All Whites?
1

multitaskerSep. 07, 2011 - 02:27PM JST

ahh, england! gotcha!
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lucabrasiSep. 07, 2011 - 09:39PM JST

@multitasker

Got it in the end, eh? Although I can't blame you for taking a while... I'm English and I can't actually conceive of the idea of us beating Scotland, never mind the Kiwis. Still, looking forward to the tournament, whoever wins....
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multitaskerSep. 07, 2011 - 11:38PM JST

Ya, let`s go! Actually, I first thought AW was the NZ soccer team! It took a minute or two to remember England. LOL!