Japan's post-game message for the Rugby Championship authorities
Australian-raised back-row warrior Ben Gunter has made an impassioned plea for the Brave Blossoms to be included in the Rugby Championship after Japan almost pulled off a historic win over the Wallabies. Gunter was immense as a late try to Wallabies debutant Connal McInerney clinched a 32-23 victory for Australia over Japan in Oita on Saturday.
After stunning Scotland and Ireland en route to the 2019 World Cup quarter-finals in front of their delirious home fans, the Brave Blossoms threatened another famous boilover after pulling to within four points of the Wallabies with the clock winding down.
Asked by AAP if Japan should be welcomed into a new-look Rugby Championship after cementing their place in the world’s top 10, Gunter’s response was an emphatic yes. “One hundred per cent, mate,” Gunter said.
“Today was our first game from being apart, being separated – we all had a bit of time off – and that is our first game back and we did really well. Obviously, we didn’t get the result that we wanted but it shows that the Japanese level of rugby now is very competitive.
“Like, we are taking it to tier-one teams. We don’t look at them as though they are going to smash us. We look at them as if we can beat these teams week in, week out.”
Here's how the Brave Blossoms rated in their 32-23 defeat to the Wallabies in the opening test of their end-of-year internationals in Oita. #Wallabies #BraveBlossoms #JAPvAUS https://t.co/6ED3IYsGiC
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2021
The Rugby Championship currently features Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina, with SANZAR this year announcing that the world champion Springboks had committed until at least 2030. The Boks opted out in 2020 because of the global pandemic, raising doubts after their ongoing participation amid speculation that South African Super Rugby franchises were considering joining an expanded PRO14. But while South Africa is in the same time zone as the UK, Japan also seems a good fit for the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship.
“The other thing is, too, we play very exciting rugby,” Gunter said. “We like to keep the ball in play and that is what fans want to see. They want to see the ball in play, non-structured rugby, offloads, the kicking game. So 100 per cent, Japan can easily compete with these teams at that level so they should be invited to those championship games and stuff. If you ask anybody, mate, everyone is keen to see the Japanese style of rugby.”
Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said it was above his pay grade to make such calls but claimed – tellingly – that the pace of Saturday’s game was “more up-tempo than some of the Rugby Championship games“. “Definitely not the New Zealand games,” Hooper said. “(But) Japan is just a side that is improving out of sight.”
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said the only way was up for the Brave Blossoms. “They are a good side. They have got outstanding staff who have developed genuine depth. They are only going to get better. They are certainly worthy of where they are sitting in the world and it is certainly great that they are playing a lot of tier one nations now compared to what they were doing two or three years ago.”
REACTION: Wallabies boss Dave Rennie has outlined what his team's nine-point win over Japan in Oita means for their UK trip #Wallabies #BraveBlossoms #JAPvAUShttps://t.co/kiombvi9t9
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments