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Scotland cancelled as Japan's history boys win World Cup thriller

By Online Editors
Scotland are out of the RWC

Japan have produced a scintillating display of attacking rugby before holding back a spirited Scottish fightback to triumph 28-21 to reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

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Wing Kenki Fukuoka led the way with two tries, while Kotaro Matsushima and Keita Inagaki also scored on Sunday night as the hosts held off a fierce second-half assault from a team they had lost against in all seven of their previous meetings.

When Japan beat South Africa four years ago – having won only one of their previous 24 World Cup matches – it was considered the greatest shock in rugby history. This time, having already beaten Ireland three weeks ago, it did not even feel like a real surprise.

They were faster, sharper, more inventive and, roared on by the vast majority of the delirious red-clad 72,000 crowd, absolutely relentless in everything they did as they became the first tier-two team to reach the last eight since Fiji in 2007.

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Having won all four of their matches to top Pool A, they will face the Springboks again in the quarter-finals and the twice-champions will be taking absolutely nothing for granted.

The result also meant that Ireland, through as runners-up, will play New Zealand.

The match was given the go-ahead only on Sunday morning after an inspection of the damage caused by Typhoon Hagibis and proved a wonderfully uplifting occasion for the country after the death and destruction wrought by the storm.

Scotland were first on the board with a Finn Russell try after seven minutes but Japan hit back with a brilliantly-worked, high-tempo score that set the tone for the night.

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Fukuoka tore down the left and as he was tackled to the floor, slung a one-armed pass to Matsushima to go over.

If that was good, their next was a contender for try of the tournament. Fukuoka and Matsushima again put on the afterburners before a series of off-loads and side-steps ended with Shota Horie setting up prop I nagaki.

Japan’s speed and intensity soon created a third try at the end of the half when Tim Lafaele’s deft grubber bounced perfectly into the arms of Fukuoka.

Then two minutes into the second half when Fukuoka stripped Chris Harris and galloped clear for a fourth and bonus-point clinching try.

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Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

The Scots, who came from 31-0 down to draw 38-38 with England in the Six Nations in March, dredged up that Twickenham spirit from somewhere as WP Nel and Zander Fagerson scored to get back within seven points with 25 minutes to go.

It was relentless Scottish pressure and desperate, at times demented, Japanese defending from then on, but the hosts held out for another famous victory in what became a deafening cauldron of noise.

It was only the second time Scotland have failed to reach the last eight – the other coming in 2011 – but they can have few complaints, bookending wins over Russia and Samoa with defeats by Ireland and the hosts.

The match in pictures:

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

Japan v Scotland - Pool A - 2019 Rugby World Cup - Yokohama Stadium

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Bull Shark 1 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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