Japan
The Brave Blossoms, who were probably putting themselves on the back foot from before kick-off with that nickname, entered the tournament with the intention of at least winning one game. They failed to do so, despite having several New Zealanders in their midst (eg those noble samurais Luke Thompson, James Arlidge and Bryce Robins, among others). However, it was always going to be tough with hosts and favourites New Zealand in their Pool, along with France and Tonga, and after three losses and one draw, Japan bowed out this morning.
Best moment: their final game, which saw Japan come within a hairs breadth of of gaining their first win in the Rugby World Cup since defeating Zimbabwe in 1991. This morning’s match at Canada saw Japan as distinct second favourites, but the Blossoms (bless) were ahead 17-7 at half time and the Canadians snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat in the 79th minute, to end the game 23-23, four years after drawing 12-12 at the same stage in the 2007 competition.
Honourable mention: Japan’s surprise result in their opening game, when they managed to score a few points against France, the final score being 47-21 to the Frogs.
Worst moment: their match against New Zealand, which saw the All Blacks put most of the nails in the Blossoms’ coffin in an 83-7 tonking. You could say that the fact that they scored a try against the favourites was a good show in itself, but they’d already shipped 59 points by that stage.
Top points scorer and best player: the Kiwi-born Arlidge, who scored 34 points in the competition, all through kicking.
USA
The Eagles (at least Japan’s nickname is imaginative) charged into this tournament full of zest, vim and vigour. They leave it much as they found it, except for a couple of valiant losses and one bruising win. There’s something to be said for the United States’ eagerness to play, and play quick, running rugby, but they seemed to let themselves down when it came to the next stage. The US is better than Russia, almost as good as Italy and Ireland on an off day, and nowhere near as good as the big boys. Still, as a work in progress, the Eagles have promise.
Best moment: one of the best games of the tournament, in the United States v Russia, saw two fairly evenly matched teams battle it out. The Russians were hyped as being big burly ‘bears’ and the Americans as, er, ‘eagles’, but in the end it was the other way round as the US eventually bulldozed the Russians off the park in a 13-6 win.
Honourable mention: playing ok but making the Irish look a lot worse in the opening game, a 22-10 win to Ireland.
Worst moment: as ever, the slightly lower league team took one considerable thrashing in the 67-5 loss to Australia.
Best player and top points scorer: the kicking full-back, Chris Wyles, who scored 18 of the Eagles’ 38 points, including a converted try against Italy this morning.
No comments:
Post a Comment