Japan Qualifies for Rugby World Cup 2015
Japan have booked their place at Rugby World Cup 2015 after being crowned Asian 5 Nations Champions on Sunday.
The Brave Blossoms defeated Hong Kong 49-8 in front of a bumper 40,000 crowd in the top of the table clash at the National Stadium in Tokyo.
Japan join Pool B at England 2015 alongside 1995 and 2007 winners South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and USA and will play their opening match against South Africa at the Brighton Community Stadium on September 19.
After nervy opening exchanges, Japan raced into a 27-3 half time lead with four tries, showing their desire to play an open and expansive game.
However, the Brave Blossoms did not have it all their own way and a spirited Hong Kong made it difficult for the home side in the second half, scoring the first try and impressing in defence.
The final quarter saw Japan stretch their legs, scoring some excellent tries to make sure of the win, the championship and a place at England 2015.
It was fitting that Japan’s qualification was sealed at the National Stadium – the venue that will play host to the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2019 after it is rebuilt.
Head coach Eddie Jones said: “It was a difficult game, but I was pleased with how we finished the match as we showed patience and discipline.”
“It was a beautiful ending to one of the most iconic venues in Japan and we are privileged to have played in the final match at the National Stadium in front of such a large crowd.”
“We want to make the quarter finals at England 2015 and we are preparing to achieve that goal.”
Japan sealed their place in the presence of the Webb Ellis Cup. The iconic Trophy was in Tokyo on the first stop of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour which will see Rugby’s most coveted prize visit 15 countries over the next 12 months as part of a celebration of Rugby in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015.
The England 2015 dream is not over for Hong Kong, who, as runners-up in the Asian 5 Nations, now progress to the Repechage where they will face Uruguay.
Meanwhile Russia survived a scare to qualify for the Repechage, overcoming a three-point deficit with a few minutes to go to win 31-20 in Hamburg on Saturday.
Russia progress to play the runner-up from the CAR Africa Cup Division 1A, which takes place in Madagascar next month.
About Rugby World Cup:
In total, the Rugby World Cup qualifying process features 83 nations. The qualifiers comprise more than 200 matches, made up of around 3,000 players across six continents, including the strategic markets of Brazil, Russia, India and China as well as USA, Canada and Mexico.
Rugby participation has increased from 3 million in 2006 to 6.6 million in 20164 owing to IRB investment that comes from RWC finances, the positive effect of being included in the programme for the Olympic Games 2016 and the global reach of the Game’s flagship tournament.
Rugby World Cup provides an international stage to promote Rugby and generates 95 per cent of the revenue the IRB invests in achieving its strategic goals, including growing the global Game. Therefore the success of the tournament is vital for achieving the IRB strategic goals.
England was awarded RWC 2015 as it offers a mature Rugby market which is likely to generate strong spectator numbers and significant financial returns. Large iconic venues, an experienced host Union, the UK major event infrastructure and a prime commercial Rugby market provide an ideal platform to host the Rugby World Cup.
This tournament also offers an important opportunity to continue the development of RWC tournament planning and delivery models and opportunities to grow the Game across Europe.
Looking further ahead, growing the Game is a key consideration for RWC 2019 in Japan. Asia is a critical market for future growth and Japan is the traditional leader of Rugby in Asia. The JRFU has made significant professional developments in recent years and is well-placed to host such an important event.
A successful tournament in Japan has the potential to generate significant interest in the Game in Asia and ignite a lucrative commercial Rugby market. With 60 per cent of the global population and 80 per cent of the world’s youth living in Asia, this interest could have a considerable impact on the development of global Rugby.
Awarding RWC 2019 to Japan 10 years prior to delivery provides an adequate time scale, if used properly, to prepare the framework to host the tournament in a developing market.
The scale of Rugby World Cup and the importance of using RWC tournaments to achieve wider strategic goals of key stakeholders demand a clear strategic approach for each tournament. These must integrate the IRB goals with those of other key stakeholders, providing a framework for decision making and measuring success.
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