[ad_1]
Once I advised my spouse I had obtained tickets to see Japan play a rugby match in Tokyo she thought it was for a World Cup match although that’s going down almost 10,000 kilometres (about 6200 miles) away in France. Perhaps she simply thinks the Rugby World Cup is all the time in Japan!
The tickets have been truly to see Japan’s Sakura Fifteen girls’s workforce play in opposition to Fiji at Chichibunomiya Stadium final Saturday night. She ought to actually know higher by now as 13 months earlier we watched the identical workforce defeat Eire in what was a really pleasing match and event, so I assumed we’d go once more.
That was our first time to see a girls’s rugby match and as quickly because it was introduced in August that Japan can be taking part in two matches in opposition to Fiji I used to be eager to witness it. The 2 groups locked horns six days earlier in Fukuoka in what was an in depth contest leading to a 29-24 victory for Sakura Fifteen. Consequently, I used to be eager for an thrilling second match in Tokyo.
I made a decision to order our tickets prematurely this time because it was 1000 yen cheaper than simply paying on the day. Going down almost a month later than final 12 months, the temperature in Minato Ward was slightly decrease however nonetheless heat and humid as we took our seats forward of the 6:10 pm kick off.
The timing of this match was fairly good I suppose, and there was a wholesome crowd in attendance because it capitalised on the elevated curiosity within the recreation for the time being. The 2 squads took to the sector shortly after sundown and lined up for his or her respective anthems however there have been no tears this time from my spouse for the Japanese one!
Admittedly, the curiosity was greater for final years conflict in opposition to the Irish however it was nonetheless a fairly good prove for the arrival of Fijiana 15, and free flags on arrival for spectators have been a welcome addition.
I’ve obtained numerous affection for Fiji after I spent 10 days there in 2002 (on the again of 15 months backpacking round Australia and New Zealand), and so I’m a little bit of an knowledgeable on the nation!! Having mentioned that (mockingly after all!), I had by no means truly seen Fiji play in any rugby match till this event.
It didn’t take too lengthy to witness the primary attempt, and when Japan scored it I assumed it is likely to be a somewhat one-sided affair. Fiji fought again although and ran in a few tries earlier than Japan regained management and led 24-19 on the break in an entertaining half.
Within the second half, substitute lock Jennifer Nduka got here on to make her debut for Sakura Fifteen. I do know nothing about her or her ethnicity however it’s all the time fascinating to see such gamers put on the Japan shirt in such a homogenous society.
Japan’s Sakura 15 gave the impression to be in management because the match neared its conclusion however they let in Fiji for 2 late tries which resulted in a tense ultimate couple of minutes the place a transformed attempt for Fiji would’ve given them victory. Japan stored maintain of the ball although and managed to run down the clock and maintain on for a 2-0 clear sweep on this check collection.
Last Rating: Japan 41 – 36 Fiji
In the meantime in France, the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been happening since Sptember eighth. With lots of the greatest and most essential clashes going down through the evening I haven’t been in a position to see as a lot as I’d have appreciated. To date I’ve largely consumed it through highlights with a couple of dwell video games right here and there. Japan Nationwide Stadium was truly presupposed to host the 2019 ultimate however it was by no means prepared in time. The gallery inside that stadium has a small exhibition of rugby memorabilia designed to generate extra curiosity within the event.
Over in Shibuya there’s a pop-up retailer promoting some official Rugby World Cup merchandise together with the shirts of some international locations concerned.
When you can afford any of these shirts, then you’ll be able to most likely afford to take taxis round Tokyo and there are some particular Courageous Blossoms ones working all through the competitors.
Bonus: Listed below are the main points of final years Sakura Fifteen victory over Eire which truly was certainly one of my favorite dwell sports activities matches of 2022. Carry on 2024!
The three rugby matches I’d seen in 2023 previous to the Sakura Fifteen one have been all within the Japan Rugby League One Championship, and the newest one again in April was additionally at Chichibunomiya Stadium.
Click on right here to learn ‘The Good, The Dangerous & The Rugby! My Return To Kashiwa’s Secondary Stadium After 19 Years!’
Click on right here to learn ‘Japan’s Sakura 15 Rugby Crew Host Eire In Tokyo: My First Ever Girls’s Match!’
Click on right here to learn ‘Rugby World Cup Fever Grips Japan For Six Memorable Weeks Of Motion’
Click on right here to learn ‘Japan & South Africa Meet For The First Time Since “That” Large Shock In 2015’
[ad_2]