Japan applies to host 2015 rugby World Cup

If Japan does not get it then we know the duffers in the IRB really don't want to further the game. Giving Japan the junior WC next year is not the same as the main event though I will do my best to support the event next year.

I hope it does come here. Rugby is more exciting then soccer.

Rugby is an ok sport, although it doesn't have the hype of soocer.

Really can't see it coming to Japan. My money's on it going to Italy where at least they could attempt to get the stadia over 1/2 full.

I think it would actually kill the game in Japan. Japanese people seem to believe that Japan is actually quite good at rugby but that's because they never play against anyone decent. Seeing Japan totally humiliated would not help the sport here.

Would love to see this happen. Then again, if you look at its decisions up until, it could be argued that the IRB is an elitist old boys club that has little real interest in expanding the game beyond its traditional markets. Let's face it, every World Cup up until now has either been held in Northern Hemisphere rugby-loving nations or Southern Hemisphere countries (some of whom consider rugby to be a religion).

I am also undecided how this will impact the local game here in Japan.

Japan didnt mind getting whipped in the soccer WC why not the rugby WC?

Those here for the 2002 World Cup like I was probably hope that Japan does NOT get this. If you don't then you've got short memories. In short, the country was extra-paranoid about foreigners then due to all the scare stories blanketing the media about soccer "hoodlums". I vividly remember NHK having numerous pieces on the steps all the various riot police were taking to deal with the anticipated problem -- including shots of practice riots with water cannons. And, many hotel owners in Sapporo refused to take English fans, due to the fear factor. Unless the country has changed in a few years -- yeah, right -- I cannot imagine they will be any more welcoming to the hard-drinking/heavy-partying rigby fans.

I reckon they'll get it in 2015 or 2019, one of the two. A few envelopes will take care of that, then they'll have a few foreign players in the team so losses don't blow out to 100 points.

timorborder - isn't the claim of the IRB being an elitist old boys club a story of a lot of the domestic rugby union federations, the world over?

HA HA HA Rugby "world" cup! Let me get this right. Its popular in just 2 states of Australia and then just in the middle class suburbs, NZ, Sth Africa and then a few countries in Europe. Sure its a novelty in places like Italy, Fiji, Ireland etc but a world cup???? This is truly crazy!!!

jerseyboy obviously know nothing about rugby. Rugby fans are much more friendly - heck you don't even need to segregate the fans in the stadium.

Plus I need to get some benefit from my taxes spent on all those stadia for the football WC of which some are barely used

why even bother having a rugby world cup as it is only played in a few countries. I hope japan doesn't get it as it will be embarrasing for the organizers when they have to give away free tickets to schoolkids.

rugby is more widely played than baseball. didn't stop the WBC. Japa will get it but filling stadiums might be tough especially the Tonga Vs Samoa game. Jerseyboy needs to see rugby fans in action and then you'd know , no worries on the violence front. ERESAY: try three franchises in the super 14 in three states with the game played in all parts of the country. mustn't be an ocker. makes your assertion ignorant.

Rugby has been good to Japan. Why not allow them to return the favor?