The Japan national team have competed in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. They are so far the only team to reach the Rugby World Cup through Asian regional qualifying. They have yet to progress past the pool stage of the tournament.
Their best performance was in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Japan beat South Africa 34–32 in their first match of pool play, in what was described as "greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever".[1][2][3] They went on to beat Samoa and the United States in pool play. They won three games out of four in pool play, the same as Scotland and South Africa, but unlike the other two, Japan did not get any bonus points, so the other two qualified for the quarter-finals.
Japan's first victory was a 52–8 win over Zimbabwe at the 1991 tournament under coach Hiroaki Shukuzawa. Their worst defeat came at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when they lost to New Zealand by 145–17, in a defeat blamed for setting the development of rugby union in Japan back by several years. Since then, in the 2003 World Cup, held in Australia, Japan coached by Shogo Mukai was hailed as the best of the so-called 'minnow' nations,[citation needed] gaining many new Japanese and overseas fans in the process, though the team still failed to win any games. In the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Japan managed a last-minute conversion to draw with Canada, and avoided coming last in Pool B. They did not win any games however, and did not reach the knockout stage of the tournament.
Japan will host the tournament for the first time at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Contents
By position[edit]
Year | Round | Position | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | For | Against |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() ![]() |
Pool | – | 3 | – | – | 3 | 48 | 123 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 1991 |
Pool | – | 3 | 1 | – | 2 | 77 | 87 |
![]() |
Pool | – | 3 | – | – | 3 | 55 | 252 |
![]() |
Pool | – | 3 | – | – | 3 | 36 | 140 |
![]() |
Pool | – | 4 | – | – | 4 | 79 | 163 |
![]() |
Pool | – | 4 | – | 1 | 3 | 64 | 210 |
![]() |
Pool | – | 4 | – | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 |
![]() |
Pool | – | 4 | 3 | – | 1 | 98 | 100 |
![]() |
||||||||
Total | – | – | 28 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 526 | 1259 |
By match[edit]
1987[edit]
Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 41 | 6 |
![]() |
3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 32 | 4 |
![]() |
3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 99 | 2 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 123 | 0 |
1987-05-24
|
Japan ![]() |
18 – 21 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Taumoefolau (2) Yoshinaga Pen: Yoshinaga Kutsuki |
Tries: Nelson Purcell Lambert Con: Nelson (3) Pen: Nelson |
1987-05-30
|
England ![]() |
60 – 7 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Harrison (3) Underwood (2) Salmon Richards Redman Rees Simms Con: Webb (7) Pen: Webb (2) |
Try: Miyamoto Pen: Matsuo |
1987-06-03
|
Australia ![]() |
42 – 23 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Slack (2) Burke (2) Tuynman Grigg Hartill Campese Con: Lynagh (5) |
Tries: Kutsuki (2) Fujita Con: Okidoi Pen: Okidoi (2) Drop: Okidoi |
1991[edit]
Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 36 | 9 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 51 | 7 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 2 | 77 | 87 | 5 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 3 | 31 | 158 | 3 |
1991-10-05
|
Scotland ![]() |
47 – 9 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: S. Hastings, Stanger, Chalmers, White, Penalty Try, Tukalo, G. Hastings Con: G. Hastings (5) Pen: G. Hastings (2), Chalmers |
Tries: Hosokawa Con: Hosokawa Drop: Hosokawa |
1991-10-09
|
Ireland ![]() |
32 – 16 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Mannion (2), O’Hara, Staples Con: Keyes (2) Pen: Keyes (4) |
Tries: Hayashi, Kajihara, Yoshida Con: Hosokawa (2) |
1991-10-14
|
Japan ![]() |
52 – 8 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Yoshida (2), Mashuho (2), Kutsuki (2), Horikoshi, Luaiufi, Matsuo Con: Hosokawa (2) Pen: Hosokawa (4) |
Tries: Tsimba, Nguruve |
1995[edit]
Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
3 | 0 | 0 | 225 | 45 | 9 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 93 | 94 | 7 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 68 | 5 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 3 | 55 | 252 | 3 |
1995-05-27
|
Japan ![]() |
10 – 57 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Osamu Ota (2) | Tries: Gareth Thomas (3), Ieuan Evans (2), Andrew Moore, Hemi Taylor Con: Neil Jenkins (5) Pen: Neil Jenkins (4) |
1995-05-31
|
Ireland ![]() |
50 – 28 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Neil Franis, Simon Geoghegan, David Corkery, Eddie Halvey, Niall Hogan Con: Paul Burke (6) Pen: Paul Burke |
Tries: Sinali-Tui Latu, Ko Izawa, Seiji Hirao, Masanori Takura Con: Yoshihito Yoshida (4) |
1995-06-04
|
Japan ![]() |
17 – 145 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Hiroyuki Kajihara (2) Con: Keiji Hirose (2) Pen: Keiji Hirose |
Tries: Marc Ellis (6), Eric Rush (3), Jeff Wilson (3), Robin Brooke (2), Glen Osborne (2), Richard Loe, Simon Culhane, Paul Henderson, Craig Dowd, Alama Ieremia Con: Simon Culhane (20) |
1999[edit]
Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 71 | 4 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 97 | 72 | 4 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 1 | 83 | 51 | 4 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 140 | 0 |
1999-10-03
|
Samoa ![]() |
43 – 9 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Brian Lima (2), Steven So'oialo (2), Silao Leaegailesolo Con: Silao Leaegailesolo (3) Pen: Silao Leaegailesolo (4) |
Pen: Keiji Hirose (3) |
1999-10-09
|
Wales ![]() |
64 – 15 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Mark Taylor, (2) Robert Howley, Scott Gibbs, David Llewellyn, Gareth Thomas, Allan Bateman, Shane Howarth Con: Neil Jenkins (8) Con: Neil Jenkins |
Tries: Patiliai Tuidraki, Daisuke Ohata Con: Keiji Hirose Pen: Keiji Hirose |
1999-10-16
|
Argentina ![]() |
33 – 12 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Diego Albanese, Agustín Pichot Con: Felipe Contepomi Pen: Gonzalo Quesada (7) |
Pen: Keiji Hirose (4) |
2003[edit]
Team | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | BP | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 70 | 4 | 20 |
![]() |
3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 97 | 2 | 14 |
![]() |
2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | 2 | 10 |
![]() |
1 | 0 | 3 | 86 | 125 | 2 | 6 |
![]() |
0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | 0 | 0 |
2003-10-11
|
Scotland ![]() |
32–11 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Paterson (2), Grimes, Taylor, Danielli Con: Paterson, Townsend Pen: Paterson |
Tries: Onozawa Pen: Hirose (2) |
2003-10-18
|
France ![]() |
51 – 29 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Michalak, Rougerie (2), Pelous, Dominici, Crenca Con: Michalak (5), Merceron Pen: Michalak (3) |
Tries: Konia, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (5) |
2003-10-23
|
Fiji ![]() |
41 – 13 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Tuilevu (2), Ligairi (2), Vunibaka Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (4) |
Tries: Miller Con: Miller Pen: Miller Drop: Miller |
2003-10-27
|
Japan ![]() |
26 – 39 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Kurihara, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (4) |
Tries: Hercus, Eloff, Schubert, van Zyl, Khasigian Con: Hercus (4) Pen: Hercus (2) |
2007[edit]
Team | Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/- | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 215 | 41 | +174 | 4 | 20 |
![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 114 | 136 | −22 | 3 | 15 |
![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 168 | 105 | +63 | 4 | 12 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 64 | 210 | −146 | 1 | 3 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 51 | 120 | −69 | 0 | 2 |
8 September 2007
15:45 |
Australia ![]() |
91 – 3 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Sharpe 18' m Elsom (3) 24' c, 34' m, 41' c Ashley-Cooper 46' c Latham (2) 53' c, 72' c Barnes (2) 57' c, 75' c Mitchell (2) 59' c, 66' c Smith 62' m Freier 80+' c Con: Mortlock (7/10) Giteau (3/3) Pen: Mortlock (2/2) 10', 16' |
Report | Pen: K. Ono (1/1) 38' |
12 September 2007
18:00 |
Japan ![]() |
31 – 35 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Thompson (2) 51' c, 78' c Soma 62' m Con: Onishi (2/3) Pen: Onishi (4/4) 18', 30', 40+', 43' |
Report | Tries: Qera (2) 36' c, 49' c Rabeni 56' m Leawere 71' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (3/3) 4', 55', 74' |
20 September 2007
21:00 |
Wales ![]() |
72 – 18 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: A. W. Jones 11' c Hook 24' c T. R. Thomas 31' c Morgan 40+' m Phillips 42' c S. Williams (2) 48' m, 80' m D. James 52' c Cooper 59' c M. Williams (2) 64' c, 74' c Con: S. Jones (5/7) Sweeney (2/4) Pen: S. Jones (1/1) 23' |
Report | Tries: Endo 19' m Onozawa 57' c Con: Robins (1/1) Pen: Onishi (2/2) 4', 37' |
25 September 2007
18:00 |
Canada ![]() |
12 – 12 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Riordan 48' m van der Merwe 65' c Con: Pritchard (1/1) |
Report | Tries: Endo 12' m Taira 80+' c Con: Onishi (1/2) |
2011[edit]
Japan lost to New Zealand, Tonga and France, but managed to draw with Canada.
Team
|
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 4 | 20 |
![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 3 | 11 |
![]() |
4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 1 | 9 |
![]() |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 0 | 6 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 0 | 2 |
10 September 2011
|
France ![]() |
47 – 21 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Pierre 4' c Trinh-Duc 11' c Clerc 33' m Naller 70' c Pape 76' c Parra 81' m Con: Yachvili (4/6) Pen: Yachvili (3/3) 21', 28', 66' |
Report | Tries: Arlidge (2) 30' m, 48' c Con: Arlidge (1/2) Pen: Arlidge (3/4) 17', 39', 57' |
16 September 2011
|
New Zealand ![]() |
83 – 7 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Smith 3' c Kahui (2) 15' m, 44' c Kaino 21' m Mealamu 29' c Ellis 33' c Slade 35' c Williams (2) 50' c, 78' c Toeava 55' c Hore 59' m Nonu 61' m Thomson 76' c Con: Slade (9/13) |
Report | Tries: Onozawa 57' c Con: Williams (1/1) |
21 September 2011
|
Tonga ![]() |
31 – 18 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Ma'afu 6' m Lokotui 14' c Vainikolo 53' c Con: Morath (2/3) Pen: Morath (4/4) 29', 31', 49', 67' |
Report | Tries: Hatakeyama 13' m Leitch 25' m Tupuailai 62' m Con: Arlidge (0/3) Pen: Webb (1/1) 39' |
27 September 2011
|
Canada ![]() |
23 – 23 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Tries: Van Der Merwe 6' c Mackenzie 43' m Monro 74' m Con: Pritchard (1/1) Monro (0/2) Pen: Monro (2/3) 63', 78' |
Report | Tries: Horie 9' c Endo 39' c Tupuailai 62' m Con: Arlidge (2/2) Pen: Arlidge (3/3) 23', 65', 72' |
2015[edit]
Team
|
Pld | W | D | L | TF | PF | PA | +/− | BP | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 176 | 56 | +120 | 4 | 16 |
![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 136 | 93 | +43 | 2 | 14 |
![]() |
4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 98 | 100 | –2 | 0 | 12 |
![]() |
4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 69 | 124 | –55 | 2 | 6 |
![]() |
4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 50 | 156 | –106 | 0 | 0 |
19 September 2015
16:45 |
South Africa ![]() |
32–34 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Try: Louw 18' c B. Du Plessis 33' m De Jager 44' c Strauss 62' c Con: Lambie (2/3) 19', 45' Pollard (1/1) 63' Pen: Lambie (1/1) 57' Pollard (1/1) 73' |
Report | Try: Leitch 30' c Goromaru 69' c Hesketh 80' m Con: Goromaru (2/3) 31', 70' Pen: Goromaru (5/6) 8', 43', 49', 53', 60' |
23 September 2015
14:30 |
Scotland ![]() |
45–10 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Try: Hardie 48' m Bennett (2) 56' c, 69 c Seymour 64' c Russell 74' c Con: Laidlaw (4/5) 57', 65', 70', 75' Pen: Laidlaw (4/5) 3', 12', 18', 20' |
Report | Try: Mafi 15' c Con: Goromaru (1/1) 16' Pen: Goromaru (1/3) 46' |
3 October 2015
14:30 |
Samoa ![]() |
5–26 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Try: Perez 64' m Con: T. Pisi (0/1) |
Report | Try: Penalty try 24' c Yamada 40' c Con: Goromaru (2/2) 24', 40' Pen: Goromaru (4/6) 8', 34', 48', 59' |
11 October 2015
20:00 |
United States ![]() |
18–28 | ![]() |
---|---|---|
Try: Ngwenya 24' m Wyles 71' c Con: MacGinty (1/2) 72' Pen: MacGinty (2/2) 5', 55' |
Report | Try: Matsushima 7' c Fujita 28' c Mafi 62' m Con: Goromaru (2/3) 9', 29' Pen: Goromaru (3/3) 33', 44', 77' |
Hosting[edit]
At a special IRB meeting held in Dublin on 28 July 2009, Japan was announced as the host for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[4]
List of planned stadia[edit]
In addition to the nine venues located in Japan, one venue each from Singapore and Hong Kong have also been proposed to host five matches respectively.[5]
- Nissan Stadium, Yokohama (72,000)
- Nagai Stadium, Osaka (50,000)
- Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo (27,000)
- Yurtec Stadium Sendai, Sendai (20,000)
- Level-5 Stadium, Fukuoka (23,000)
- Toyota Stadium, Toyota (45,000)
- Sapporo Dome, Sapporo (41,000)
- Home's Stadium, Kobe (34,000)
- Hong Kong Stadium, Hong Kong (40,000)
- Singapore Sports Hub, Singapore (50,000)
References[edit]
- Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, (ISBN 1860746020)
- Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, (ISBN 0-642-36811-2)
- ^ Kitson, Robert (September 19, 2015). "Japan beat South Africa in greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever". The Guardian. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ "Banzai! Underdogs Japan set Rugby World Cup alight with outstanding last-minute 34-32 victory against South Africa". Daily Mail. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "South Africa 32 Japan 34, match report: Outstanding Japan pull off the greatest upset in World Cup history". Daily Telegraph. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
- ^ "England will host 2015 World Cup". BBC. 2009-07-28. Retrieved 2009-07-28.
- ^ RWC 2015 /2019: 15 Main Topics & Venues of the Bid of Japan , Japan Rugby Football Union
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