Japan's Thrilling Win Fuels Quarterfinal Hopes in Rugby World Cup 2023Posted by Xchange Tickets on October 4th, 2023 Japan's thrilling 28-22 victory against Samoa on September 28 at Stadium de Toulouse has injected fresh life into their quest for a spot in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals. A triumph over Argentina in Nantes on October 8 or even a draw with a four-try bonus point, if Japan can secure in RWC 2023 while Argentina fails to do so, would pave the way for Jamie Joseph and his squad to head to Marseilles and face the Pool C winners, most likely Wales.
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Joseph, reflecting on the upcoming RWC 2023 clash with Argentina, remarked, "That's our Grand Rugby World Cup Final, isn't it? We have the opportunity to face a tier-one team we've encountered several times before. The anticipation among the team is palpable – it's a momentous game for us." In the first half, tries from Pieter "Lappies" Labuschagne and Michael Leitch propelled the Brave Blossoms to a 17-8 lead at halftime.
Kazuki Himeno ensured that all three starting back-row forwards got on the scoresheet in the second half, despite Samoa launching a spirited comeback in the Rugby World Cup, even with a red card to Ben Lam. Ultimately, Japan's defense held strong as they secured their third consecutive victory over Samoa in as many RWC. The scrum-half received a last-minute call-up to the bench after vice-captain Yutaka Nagare withdrew on the game day.
Kenta Fukuda had double reasons to celebrate, as he took the field with just five minutes left, becoming the first Japan player to make his international debut at a Rugby World Cup since Kim Chul-won in 2007. Fukuda, who plays club rugby for Toyota Verblitz, expressed his satisfaction, saying, "At this stage of the Rugby World Cup 2023, I'm happy to have this opportunity to get on the field. The last-minute call was a bit of a surprise, but my preparation hasn't changed because I was clear on what we needed to do every week.
Japan Rugby Legend Luke Thompson Optimistic About Brave Blossoms' Rugby World Cup Quarterfinal Chances
Former Japan rugby stalwart, Luke Thompson, who boasts 71 test matches for his adopted nation, is optimistic about the Brave Blossoms' chances of securing a spot in their second Rugby World Cup quarterfinals. Thompson, a 42-year-old former lock with experience in four RWCs, recently served as a tour guide for more about fans Japan rugby World Cup Tickets in Monaco and Nice before returning to his deer farm in New Zealand. In an email, he shared his belief that Japan could pull off an upset against Argentina with a bit of luck on Sunday.
While Japan faced a tough loss to England at Stade de Nice during the second round, Thompson saw potential in Jamie Joseph's team. He noted that despite lacking confidence, they performed better than expected against England, giving him hope for their victory against Samoa and a potential Rugby World Cup quarterfinal berth. However, he emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and consistency, including the elimination of small but crucial errors.
Thompson sees similarities between Argentina and Samoa as opponents and believes Japan must combat their physicality and strengths while executing a high-paced, technically sound, tactically smart, and skillful game. Disputing the idea that Japan has regressed since their 2019 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal appearance on home soil, Thompson pointed out that progress in rugby depends on various factors, including competition, talent, experience, and coaching.
He acknowledged that the expectations for the Japan team have changed over time, making it crucial to view progress differently. Thompson's return to the national team before the 2019 Rugby World Cup tournament involved playing for the Sunwolves, a Japan-based Super Rugby team that has since been disbanded. Overall, Thompson remains hopeful about Japan's prospects in the Rugby World Cup 2023 and recognizes the changing landscape of Japanese rugby on the international stage RWC.
Argentina's Hunger for Rugby World Cup Knockouts Evident Says Cheika
Reflecting on their preparations, Cheika emphasized the importance of attention to detail for the upcoming match, given Japan's Rugby World Cup quarter-final appearance in the last while Argentina missed out. Cheika faces a challenging decision regarding the half-back positions for the match against the Brave Blossoms. The veteran duo of Tomas Cubelli and Nicolas Sanchez, both 34 years old, injected dynamism into the Pumas' game during their historic 59-5 win over Chile, the first RWC encounter between two South American nations.
Approaching the tournament with a blend of confidence and enjoyment, his primary objective is to contribute effectively to the team's success. Rugby World Cup fans can buy Rugby World Cup Final Tickets from our website.
However, Argentina's performance was less impressive in a loss to England and a scrappy win over Samoa with the Gonzalo Bertranou and Santiago Carreras partnership, despite facing tougher opponents. Cheika acknowledged the strengths of both players, highlighting Sanchez's experience with 100 caps for the Pumas and Carreras as a promising talent for the future. He emphasized their collaborative efforts to reach the Rugby World Cup semi-final at their highest potential.
Argentina set up RWC eliminator with Japan
Argentina has set up an eliminator clash against Japan after comfortably overcoming Chile, who showed a spirited effort in their Rugby World Cup debut. Despite a notable moment when Tomas Dussaillant scored for Chile in the 73rd minute, Argentina had already amassed an unanswered 45 points and went on to score two more converted tries. While the outcome of the Pool D matches may not be of concern to England, it's worth noting that this pool has been one of the least competitive in this RWC.
Wales cannot afford to be complacent in their next match against Georgia, given the Lelos' surprise victory over them in Cardiff the previous November. Nevertheless, if Wales secure a fourth win to top Pool C, they should feel confident about their chances in the Rugby World Cup semi-final, considering their strong RWC history. Japan's performance in this tournament has fallen below the high standards they set four years ago.
Cheika stated, "We're not up there in the top tier, the top four, so we've got to make sure that when things don't go right, we're able to bounce back. Chile demonstrated moments of resilience in this RWC tournament and had a chance to take the lead. However, Santiago Videla's long-range penalty attempt from halfway fell short. Argentina took an early lead, with centurion Sánchez showcasing his form from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, scoring a try and converting a scrum penalty.
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