1
Double delight as Japan's men and women qualify for 2024 Olympics
There was double delight for Japan as both the men’s and women’s team became the final regional qualifiers for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 with victory in the Asia Rugby qualification tournament in Osaka.
ADVERTISEMENT
Both teams competed in the inaugural Olympic rugby sevens in Rio in 2016 and were present again as hosts in Tokyo in 2021, and they will now complete a hat-trick of appearances in the French capital next year.
The women were first to qualify with a 21-14 win against China before the men staged a dramatic comeback to beat Hong Kong China by an identical scoreline.
Hong Kong China men’s bid to qualify for their first Olympics is not over, however, as the runners-up and third place team will get a final chance to book their place in Paris via the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament in 2024.
China will join them in the men’s competition after a 36-0 win against UAE in the third-place play-off, while beaten finalists China and third-place team Hong Kong China will be chasing the final Olympic ticket to the women’s event.
With the Tokyo Olympics played behind closed doors, this was the first opportunity for the vast majority of Japan’s players to play in a major sevens tournament in front of their home fans.
Ultimately, they lived up to the occasion but both conceded the first score and were pushed all the way in their respective finals, having rarely been challenged in any of the other matches.
ADVERTISEMENT
SAKURA SEVENS THANKFUL FOR OHTANI DOUBLE
Neither of the women’s finalists conceded a single point on day one, Japan beating Kazakhstan 43-0 and Thailand 19-0 in the three-team Pool D.
China’s progress was even more straightforward, scoring 26 tries in comprehensive victories over Hong Kong China 50-0, India 62-0 and Guam 52-0.
Both teams conceded for the first time in the semi-finals, but neither were to be denied a place in the final, the Sakura Sevens delighting the fans inside the Yodoko Sakura Stadium with a 33-5 win over Hong China China, while China saw off Thailand 29-5.
Passing skills on fire 🔥 #Sakura7s| #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/bOSfPmId7m— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) November 19, 2023
The final lived up to its billing as a match-up between the reigning Asia Rugby Sevens Series champions Japan and Asia Games gold medal winners China as momentum swung one way and then the other.
ADVERTISEMENT
The host nation were punished for an error-strewn opening when Yang Feifei burnt the defence wide out on the right to opening the scoring for China.
But Japan quickly composed themselves and a double from Mei Ohtani put them into a 14-7 half-time lead.
Japan captain Yume Hirano picked a hole in a tired-looking defence for try number three, but China were not done yet as Feifei got her second to close the gap to seven points.
The Sakura Sevens looked comfortable in running down the clock until they got turned over a second before the hooter.
It made for a grandstand finish but a pile-driver of a tackle on halfway from Honoka Tsutsumi forced a mistake and China were penalised with the clock in the red to bring a breathtaking game to a close.
You did it, Sakura Sevens 🥹🎊
Paris, here we come! 🙌#Sakura7s | #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/Kz7holH6yN— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) November 19, 2023
HEARTBREAK FOR HONG KONG CHINA MEN
Hong Kong China’s men threatened to secure a place at their first Olympics with their impressive work at the breakdown frustrating Japan time and time again.
The source of their first points was a loose ball at the back of a ruck, Liam Doherty pouncing and showing a great turn of pace to score the opening try.
With this side needing a lift, Taiga Ishida showed great strength in the contact to bounce off two would-be tacklers to put Japan back on level terms.
But it wasn’t long before Hong Kong China reclaimed the lead, Russell Webb’s mastery with the boot setting up an opportunity for Liam Herbert.
Webb threaded a grubber kick through the defence and Herbert, who played like a number seven in 15s with is turnover ability, won the foot race to touch down under the posts.
After a succession of turnover penalties either way, Japan finally strung together enough phases to work a score for Osaka native Kippei Taninaka.
Only 70 seconds remained at that point and with the conversion going over to level the scores at 14-14, it looked as though the final was heading to extra-time.
However, Takamasa Maruo had other ideas as he twisted out of a tackle and reached out at full-stretch to score the match-winning try and bring the house down.
Earlier, Japan had booked their place in the final following a 21-5 win over UAE in the semi-final, this after they had comprehensively beaten India and Korea but had lost to China on day one.
Hong Kong China went through to the semi-finals with a 3-0 record in the pool phase before seeing off China 19-12 in the semi-finals.
As things stand, 11 teams have so far confirmed their participation at each event at the Olympic Games in Paris.
In the men’s event, hosts France, New Zealand, Argentina, Fiji and Australia (through the World Rugby Sevens Series 2023) have booked their place along with six regional winners in Uruguay (South America), Ireland (Europe), USA (North America), Kenya (Africa), Samoa (Oceania) and now Japan.
New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and USA (qualifiers through the World Series) and hosts France, meanwhile, have been joined by Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, South Africa, Fiji and Japan in the women’s tournament.
What it means to the team 😭❤️
See you in Paris! 🏅#Japan7s | #Paris2024
pic.twitter.com/1K1anvaQRR— Japan Rugby (@JRFURugby) November 19, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
This is might be the most generalised, entitled, patronising, out-of-pocket cultural indictment on a group of people you’ll ever see on what is supposedly a sports publication. I can only assume the author is weak like a woman or homosexual. I’m feeling an incredible range of emotions but I am not quite sure how to express them. I might go beat up a hockey player - assuming that’s okay with Duane and the boys? 🙂
9 Go to commentsBest thing the Welsh clubs could do is apply to join Gallagher prem surely be more exciting matches for there support than they have now.
2 Go to commentsRugbyPass writers are useless! you guys should get a real job because you all suck at writing about rugby!!!
9 Go to commentslooking forward to RWC2027 …. Boks on mission impossible for the Three-in-a-row, ABs to prove they being on par, France wishing to crown the “DuPont-era”, Ireland knocking on the Semi-Door ….. until then we’ll probably have to deal with Weird Ben’s fantasy-RWC23 (fun fact is, the drivel always creates a flooding of comments) …..
221 Go to commentsBen Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
221 Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
24 Go to commentsDear Ben Smith you are a genius! God please become the next all blacks coach that can take on the mighty BOKS. Your rugby acumen is second to none - imagine your dads sperm bounced as unfortunately as that oval ball did….we would not be blessed with your presence. Just as the all blacks were missing a man you too are missing a chromosome for 80% of your life, so your insights are not only profound but ring true from your own experiences. Just as the TMO interfered with citing an illegal pass I am sure your local authorities interfere with your illegal passes you make on women - How dare they!!! God forbid that rugby be officiated fairly. You are the right man for the job. Next all blacks coach is here ladies and gentlemen Miss Ben Smith (He/She/They/IT)
221 Go to commentsHuge engine this guy and great to see him back ..The amount of clean outs he does at the ruck are ridiculous !!
3 Go to commentsThe level of desperation in this article is just embarrassing.
221 Go to commentsSome silly trolling in the comments.
9 Go to commentsEverywhere you turn some irish journo is advocating Ireland as the greatest, reasoning that the wc is a 4 year cycle event so, they say wc doesn’t matter it’s the rugby in between that should account for the accolade. If there was no wc then some substance could be gained, however in my opinion the moment that defined Ireland’s fate against the abs was 37 phases of repeated head bashing against a brick wall. If a change in strategy or a tinker with the game plan was executed then things could've been vastly different. And to point a finger the let down was in the hands of the number 10.
64 Go to commentsI have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
24 Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
64 Go to commentsLove watching
1 Go to commentsThe Melbourne Rebels lineout is a complete disaster so not surprisingly a kiwi coach of the Wallabies hires the worst lineout coach in the country and a foreigner to boot. No surprises whatsoever here…….
6 Go to commentsThank your for wasting 2 minutes of my life Daniel. There is a useful message in there somewhere but your delivery sucks.
9 Go to commentsBen Smith, you are cry baby
221 Go to commentsSux that homophobia is still a thing though. I wonder how many players who could have become legends never kept playing rugby because they felt unwelcome.
9 Go to commentsCrazy he’s only 28, feel like he’s been around forever - don’t mind the move, safe pair of hands and creates depth in a thin position for ABs. Hopefully aides Kemara’s growth also without thrusting too much responsibility on him
1 Go to commentsMen should show strength and be mean, but they should be able to show emotion to those close yo them in certain times, birth of your child, death of family, proud moment. This article is stupid
9 Go to comments