'It should have been red': World media react to Japan loss to Springboks
How the world media reacted to the Springboks’ 26-3 quarter-final win over Japan.
South Africa are a suffocating boa constrictor who slowly squeezed the life out of Japan before eating them whole – by Tom Cary of The Telegraph
“At the end the tears flowed liberally both on and off the pitch as Japan’s players took their final bows; just one of the customs we have grown to love about this team and this country.
“Yu Tamura, the fly-half with the goatee which looks a bit like that funny haircut that Brazil’s Ronaldo had at the 2002 World Cup, only transposed to his chin, limped around with a broken rib, sobbing.
“Kotaro Matsushima and Kenki Fukuoka, Japan’s twin “Ferraris on the wings”, as South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus described them in the press conference afterwards, smiled ruefully.
“They have become global superstars at this World Cup – Matsushima in particular would be a canny signing for a European outfit looking for a presence in the Far East.
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“The dreadlocked Shota Horie, he of the cult rock-paper-scissors video on social media, which saw him bashing his coach Jamie Joseph over the head with a plastic hammer, spoke of his pride at what the Brave Blossoms had achieved.
“It felt poignant, especially in the wake of the devastation Hagibis wrought upon the country. It would have been wonderful to see Japan continue the dream.
“South Africa, though, do not do sentiment. Erasmus’ hulking brood of manbots are a mauling, suffocating boa constrictor of a side who slowly squeeze the life out of you before eating you whole.”
Controversy As The Beast Sees Yellow For Dangerous Tip-Tackle – by Sean McMahon of Pundit Arena
“Initially, it looked like the Springboks’ power game would be too much to handle but Japan were offered some respite when Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira committed a tip-tackle on a Japanese player.
“Referee Wayne Barnes immediately handed out a yellow card without consulting his TMO but there is a strong argument that it should have been red due to the reckless nature of the incident.”
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1186030781929422848
Forwards fire to offset backline blunders – by Jon Cardinelli of SARugbyMag
“We’ve seen this movie before.
“Four weeks ago, the Boks dominated the All Blacks at the set pieces and created a number of scoring chances during the early stages. Poor decision-making and worse handling, however, saw them spurning those opportunities and failing to take control of the contest.
“On Sunday, South Africa manhandled Japan at the scrum – even in the period during the first half when they were reduced to seven men after Beast Mtawarira was sent to the sin bin. They completed several telling steals at the lineout and appeared to average 15 to 20m with every one of their well executed mauls.
“The Boks marched Japan some 40m downfield in the lead-up to Faf de Klerk’s try in the 66th minute. That maul was the play of the game – the moment where the Bok behemoths combined to form a unit that was more powerful and destructive than the sum of its parts.
“Unfortunately, it was a rare example of the Boks putting points on the board after harnessing the awesome power at the set piece. Their passing and decision-making often let them down, and they should be disappointed that they didn’t put more tries past a game yet limited Japan.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B32KgXLAN27/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
South Africa to face Wales in semi-final after grinding down Japan – by Paul Rees of The Guardian
“South Africa trampled all over a dream to leave many of Japan’s supporters in tears at the final whistle but the home side had already achieved a victory that even five weeks ago looked unlikely: acceptance that a place should be found for an inspired, innovative team who bring a refreshing vibrancy to a game that at the top level was becoming stereotyped and stale.
“It is up to those running the game to ensure the interest in rugby sparked by Japan’s achievement in reaching the knockout stage for the first time is not dissipated by inaction. That Japan asked more searching questions of South Africa than Italy, who have been in the Six Nations since 2000, did in the group stage, said everything about the need to involve them in the Rugby Championship without delay.”
Japan’s dream Rugby World Cup campaign ended by South Africa – by Tom Hamilton of ESPN
“The Japan fans woke from their rugby dream to the sound of South African cheers reverberating around Tokyo.
“But as the Springboks’ insurmountable lead grew in this Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, still the local supporters shouted, hoped and desperately clung to tentative hopes of a second rugby miracle. Michael Leitch, the Japan captain, was still cheered to the rafters every time he got the ball; every knock-on or penalty in their favour was still welcomed like it was their lifeline.
“But as this World Cup has increasingly showed, there is no room for sentimentality and under the night sky on their own patch of land, Japan’s fairy-tale tournament was brought to an abrupt finish as the Springboks eventually closed it out with a 26-3 victory.”
Social media
Japan were class ? #JPNvRSA pic.twitter.com/gdaVjZuYSB
— Alex R Terrell (@alxterrell) October 20, 2019
The Japanese fans are currently giving a masterclass in accepting defeat with grace and humility. Naturally.
It is an honour to be in the stadium watching this moment. Real tears. Real respect. Genuine pride. #rwc2019 #JPNvRSA
— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) October 20, 2019
#JPNvRSA doesnt mean we have much to be proud of. Japan played so well ? pic.twitter.com/JHZ4SHmnJS
— Kaylee (@kayleetyla1998) October 20, 2019
https://twitter.com/Mohitiwari_/status/1185895260120944640
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to comments