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'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 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
In a world that seems madder than ever, let's look at South Africa for hope at how we can go forward with love. #JPNvRSA #RWC2019
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/uDEaFHbl7d— Mohit Tiwari (@Mohitiwari_) October 20, 2019
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments