Japanese jol begins with a bang

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The biggest spectacle was in the stands on an unforgettable night for rugby and Japan, writes JON CARDINELLI at Tokyo Stadium.

Change was in the air on Friday morning. The Springbok players felt it as they walked from their hotel to Shibuya Crossing and then through to Hachiko Square.

The statue of Japan’s most-loved dog was draped in the colours of the Brave Blossoms. It was a sign that the Japanese have taken rugby into their hearts and that Asia’s first World Cup tournament has well and truly arrived.

Trains leading to Tokyo Stadium were packed with fans wearing the same cherry and white jerseys. Not all of them were Japanese, though.

I spoke to a few South Africans outside Tobitakyu Station who explained that the Brave Blossoms are their second team. They said that they are determined to immerse themselves in the Japanese World Cup experience.

Other visiting fans wore their home colours proudly. A particularly vocal group of Aussies could be heard across the ground a few hours before kickoff.

Cries of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,’ were drowned out when a group clad in blue started a chant of ‘Allez le Bleus!’ The two parties eventually joined the red and white masses in starting the tournament’s first Mexican Wave.

Japan received the loudest cheer of the evening when the team was introduced at the opening ceremony. The locals welcomed past World Cup-winners such as South Africa with a roar, and showed their appreciation for two-time champion Richie McCaw when the former All Blacks skipper walked out to the halfway line holding the Webb Ellis Cup aloft.

One can’t help but wonder which captain – Kieran Read, Owen Farrell, Rory Best or even Siya Kolisi – will emulate McCaw after the final on 2 November.

Japan won’t win the World Cup, but the early signs are that this tournament will be a success. While the Brave Blossoms lacked accuracy at times in the opening game against Russia, the fans never failed to play their part in the big moments.

Every dropped ball was met with a collective cry of anguish. Whenever one of the players crossed the tryline, the fans threw their hands up into the air and celebrated as if Japan had beaten the Boks in Brighton all over again.

I saw a few Japanese journalists in the press box reacting in the same manner. Perhaps the nation was desperate for the Brave Blossoms to begin the tournament with a bang. Indeed, there were a few worried expressions in the crowd when wing Kirill Golosnitskiy scored for Russia in the fourth minute.

Japan eventually shook off the nerves and hit back. By half-time the locals were smiling once more.

Lappies Labuschagne’s breakaway try in the 48th minute boosted the hosts 13 points clear of Russia. The crowd responded by starting another Mexican Wave.

Kotaro Matsushima’s third try clinched the game for Japan and prompted another of celebration in the stands. The announcement that Matsushima was the man of the match received a roar of approval.

The defeated Russians circled the ground after the game to acknowledge the performance of the crowd. Japan’s players lined up along the dead ball line to face the fans, and then bowed deeply to show their respect.

It remains to be seen if the fans can maintain this level of passion for the duration of the tournament. If they do, we’re all in for one hell of a party.

Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

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Jon Cardinelli