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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

RUGBY UNION

Junior All Blacks, Samoa win in Pac Nations Cup

Sports Jun. 18, 2009 - 02:35PM JST ( 9 )

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9 Comments

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spudmanJun. 18, 2009 - 10:11PM JST

Thanks for the news JT. How about some coverage of the JRWC being hosted by Japan as a precursor to their pitch for RWC hosting rights? So far over 15 international games played and no reporting. maybe the Japanese don't really want it.
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notimpressedJun. 22, 2009 - 10:23AM JST

Im with you on that one spudman.Why no coverage on the Junior rugby workd champiionship? It was a World cup tournament by future stars of an international sport, and a forerunner to Japans Hopes to host the 2015 world cup. It was a great tournament with NZ the victor in the end for those interested. I think the main reason it doesnt get coverage is because Japan does not win any games yet. The Japanese, like many countries really, are only fair weather supporters.
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Heda_MadnessJun. 22, 2009 - 11:40AM JST

The Japanese, like many countries really, are only fair weather supporters.

I take it that you weren't at the final yesterday amongst a crowd of approximately 18,000 in the pouring rain? Lightweights indeed.
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spudmanJun. 22, 2009 - 12:38PM JST

And still no coverage of the JRWC. Come on JT expand your horizons. This was an international tournament hosting in Japan and you haven't reported it yet?
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notimpressedJun. 22, 2009 - 02:22PM JST

Heda Madness: Nice job of taking that literaly. I sorely wanted to be there, but live far enough away for it not to have been an option on the day. Mostly I was referring to the fact that Japan, like many of us, get behind a sport when their own team is winning. Japanese rugby is the best in Asia, but on the world stage they are way behind and the fact is the support is nowhere near as good as it could be. If they beat a respectable team just once, the media would suddenly go crazy, otherwise, most of thier games slip by unnoticed by the media,which is a shame, because even when they lose, they are a good team to watch.

I guess when they let thier kids play instead of wrapping them in cotton wool, the sport will flourish a bit more, and the quality will improve, then the media will pay attention. As of now, many Japanese know nothing of the sport or that the tournament existed. Oh well, Im glad to hear they had a good turn out for the final.
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Heda_MadnessJun. 22, 2009 - 04:05PM JST

My point was that 18,000 or so people made it to the game yesterday which is a pretty sizeable crowd for an under 20's game. (At the European Soccer U-21 championships they aren't getting crowds anywhere near that amount).

Maybe it's just me, but I think that was a pretty impressive performance from the Japanese fans who clearly get rugby (even if quite a few of the tickets were giveaways) and clearly better than 'just getting behind the team when they're winning'. It's disappointing the lack of coverage in the Japanese media, but then again, if you look at the British papers you'd do well to find a mention of the game and England were the losing finalists.
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notimpressedJun. 22, 2009 - 04:59PM JST

All good man, I get you. Lets hope for more spectator support upcoming games. Maybe even some decent coverage of the local competitions.

On a side note... Just curious, I have been trying to find out, but my searches revealed nothing, when is the actual Japanese rugby season from and to? If I'm healed sufficiently I wouldn't mind joining a local team next season. Be grateful if anyone knows.
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spudmanJun. 22, 2009 - 05:57PM JST

the clubs run all year round and there are always games being played. you can find a local representative at http://www.rugby-japan.jp/links.html. Just find your prefecture and click! good luck.
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notimpressedJun. 22, 2009 - 06:08PM JST

thanks man, hopefully my arm surgery will be close to 100% by end of summer...