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. In 2019, they progressed to the quarterfinals for the first time in their participation, [1] making them the first Asian team to do so in 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 the "greatest Rugby World Cup shock ever". [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 hosted the tournament for the first time at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals.
Rugby World Cup record | Qualification | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Year | Round | Pld. | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad | Head coach | Pos. | Pld. | W | D | L | PF | PA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1987 | Pool stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 123 | Squad | K. Miyaji | Invited | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1991 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 77 | 87 | Squad | H. Shukuzawa | 2nd | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 65 | 63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1995 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 55 | 252 | Squad | O. Koyabu | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 252 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1999 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 140 | Squad | S. Hirao | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 221 | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2003 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | Squad | S. Mukai | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 420 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 210 | Squad | J. Kirwan | 1st | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 379 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | Squad | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 326 | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 | 100 | Squad | E. Jones | 1st | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 316 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | Quarter-finals | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 88 | Squad | J. Joseph | Automatic qualification | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2023 | Pool stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 109 | 107 | Squad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2027 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2031 | To be determined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | Quarter-finals | 37 | 10 | 2 | 25 | 753 | 1,454 | — | — | 28 | 27 | 0 | 1 | 1,979 | 261 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 41 | +67 | 18 | 6 | Knockout stage |
England | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 100 | 32 | +68 | 15 | 4 | |
United States | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 39 | 99 | −60 | 5 | 2 | |
Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 48 | 123 | −75 | 7 | 0 |
24 May 1987 |
Japan | 18–21 [4] [5] | United States |
Try: Taumoefolau (2) Yoshinaga Pen: Yoshinaga Kutsuki | Try: Nelson Purcell Lambert Con: Nelson (3) Pen: Nelson |
Ballymore, Brisbane Attendance: 4,000 Referee: Guy Maurette (France) |
30 May 1987 |
England | 60–7 [6] [7] | Japan |
Try: Harrison (3) Underwood (2) Salmon Richards Redman Rees Simms Con: Webb (7) Pen: Webb (2) | Try: Miyamoto Pen: Matsuo |
Concord Oval, Sydney Attendance: 4,893 Referee: René Hourquet (France) |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scotland | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 122 | 36 | +86 | 6 |
Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 51 | +51 | 4 |
Japan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 77 | 87 | −10 | 2 |
Zimbabwe | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 31 | 158 | −127 | 0 |
5 October 1991 |
Scotland | 47–9 | Japan |
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 |
Murrayfield, Edinburgh Referee: Ed Morrison (England) |
9 October 1991 |
Ireland | 32–16 | Japan |
Tries: Mannion (2), O’Hara, Staples Con: Keyes (2) Pen: Keyes (4) | Tries: Hayashi, Kajihara, Yoshida Con: Hosokawa (2) |
Lansdowne Road, Dublin Referee: Laikini Colati (Fiji) |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 222 | 45 | +177 | 9 |
Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 93 | 94 | −1 | 7 |
Wales | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 89 | 68 | +21 | 5 |
Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 55 | 252 | −197 | 3 |
27 May 1995 |
Japan | 10–57 | Wales |
Tries: Osamu Ota (2) | Tries: Gareth Thomas (3), Ieuan Evans (2), Andrew Moore, Hemi Taylor Con: Neil Jenkins (5) Pen: Neil Jenkins (4) |
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 12 000 Referee: Efrahim Sklar (Argentina) |
31 May 1995 |
Ireland | 50–28 | Japan |
Tries: Neil Francis, Simon Geoghegan, David Corkery, Eddie Halvey, Niall Hogan Con: Paul Burke (6) Pen: Paul Burke | Tries: Sinali Latu, Ko Izawa, Seiji Hirao, Masanori Takura Con: Yoshihito Yoshida (4) |
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 15 000 Referee: Stef Neethling (South Africa) |
4 June 1995 |
Japan | 17–145 | New Zealand |
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) |
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Attendance: 17 000 Referee: George Gadjovic (Canada) |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wales | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 118 | 71 | +47 | 7 |
Samoa | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 97 | 72 | +25 | 7 |
Argentina | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 83 | 51 | +32 | 7 |
Japan | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 140 | −104 | 3 |
3 October 1999 |
Samoa | 43–9 | Japan |
Tries: Brian Lima (2), Steven So'oialo (2), Silao Leaega Con: Silao Leaega (3) Pen: Silao Leaega (4) | Pen: Keiji Hirose (3) |
Racecourse Ground, Wrexham Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
9 October 1999 |
Wales | 64–15 | Japan |
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 |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Joel Dume (France) |
16 October 1999 |
Argentina | 33–12 | Japan |
Tries: Diego Albanese, Agustín Pichot Con: Felipe Contepomi Pen: Gonzalo Quesada (7) | Pen: Keiji Hirose (4) |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 204 | 70 | +134 | 4 | 20 | Quarter-finals |
Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 97 | +5 | 2 | 14 | |
Fiji | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 98 | 114 | −16 | 2 | 10 | |
United States | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 86 | 125 | −39 | 2 | 6 | |
Japan | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 79 | 163 | −84 | 0 | 0 |
11 October 2003 |
Scotland | 32–11 | Japan |
Tries: Paterson (2), Grimes, Taylor, Danielli Con: Paterson, Townsend Pen: Paterson | Tries: Onozawa Pen: Hirose (2) |
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 19,170 Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia) |
18 October 2003 |
France | 51–29 | Japan |
Tries: Michalak, Rougerie (2), Pelous, Dominici, Crenca Con: Michalak (5), Merceron Pen: Michalak (3) | Tries: Konia, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (5) |
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 21,309 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland) |
23 October 2003 |
Fiji | 41–13 | Japan |
Tries: Tuilevu (2), Ligairi (2), Vunibaka Con: Little (2) Pen: Little (4) | Tries: Miller Con: Miller Pen: Miller Drop: Miller |
Dairy Farmers Stadium, Townsville Attendance: 17,269 Referee: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales) |
27 October 2003 |
Japan | 26–39 | United States |
Tries: Kurihara, Ohata Con: Kurihara (2) Pen: Kurihara (4) | Tries: Hercus, Eloff, Schubert, van Zyl, Khasigian Con: Hercus (4) Pen: Hercus (2) |
Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford Attendance: 19,653 Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 215 | 41 | +174 | 4 | 20 | Qualified for the quarter-finals |
2 | Fiji | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 114 | 136 | −22 | 3 | 15 | |
3 | Wales | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 168 | 105 | +63 | 4 | 12 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011 |
4 | Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 210 | −146 | 1 | 3 | |
5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 120 | −69 | 0 | 2 |
8 September 2007 15:45 |
Australia | 91–3 | Japan |
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' |
Stade de Gerland, Lyon Attendance: 40,043 Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland) |
12 September 2007 18:00 |
Japan | 31–35 | Fiji |
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' |
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 34,500 Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa) |
20 September 2007 21:00 |
Wales | 72–18 | Japan |
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' |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 35,245 Referee: Joël Jutge (France) |
25 September 2007 18:00 |
Canada | 12–12 | Japan |
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) |
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux Attendance: 33,810 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
Japan lost to New Zealand, Tonga and France, but managed to draw with Canada.
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Zealand | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 36 | 4 | 20 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
2 | France | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 13 | 3 | 11 | |
3 | Tonga | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Canada | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 9 | 0 | 6 | |
5 | Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
10 September 2011 |
France | 47–21 | Japan |
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' |
North Harbour Stadium, Auckland |
16 September 2011 |
New Zealand | 83–7 | Japan |
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) |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
21 September 2011 |
Tonga | 31–18 | Japan |
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' |
Okara Park, Whangārei |
27 September 2011 |
Canada | 23–23 | Japan |
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' |
McLean Park, Napier |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 176 | 56 | +120 | 23 | 4 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Scotland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 136 | 93 | +43 | 14 | 2 | 14 | |
3 | Japan | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 98 | 100 | −2 | 9 | 0 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 69 | 124 | −55 | 7 | 2 | 6 | |
5 | United States | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 50 | 156 | −106 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
19 September 2015 16:45 |
South Africa | 32–34 | Japan |
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' |
Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton Attendance: 29,290 Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) |
23 September 2015 14:30 |
Scotland | 45–10 | Japan |
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' |
Kingsholm, Gloucester Attendance: 14,354 Referee: John Lacey (Ireland) |
3 October 2015 14:30 |
Samoa | 5–26 | Japan |
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' |
Stadium mk, Milton Keynes Attendance: 29,019 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) |
11 October 2015 20:00 |
United States | 18–28 | Japan |
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' |
Kingsholm, Gloucester Attendance: 14,517 Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Japan | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 115 | 62 | +53 | 13 | 3 | 19 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Ireland | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 121 | 27 | +94 | 18 | 4 | 16 | |
3 | Scotland | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 119 | 55 | +64 | 16 | 3 | 11 | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 58 | 128 | −70 | 8 | 1 | 5 | |
5 | Russia | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 160 | −141 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
20 September 2019 19:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Japan | 30–10 | Russia |
Try: Matsushima (3) 12' m, 39' c, 69' c Labuschagné 47' m Con: Tamura (1/3) 40' Matsuda (1/1) 71' Pen: Tamura (2/2) 44', 64' | Report | Try: Golosnitski 5' c Con: Kushnarev (1/1) 6' Pen: Kushnarev (1/1) 61' |
Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu Attendance: 45,745 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
28 September 2019 16:15 JST (UTC+09) |
Japan | 19–12 | Ireland (1 BP) |
Try: Fukuoka 59' c Con: Tamura (1/1) 61' Pen: Tamura (4/6) 18', 34', 40', 72' | Report | Try: Ringrose 14' m Kearney 21' c Con: Carty (1/2) 22' |
Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa, Fukuroi Attendance: 47,813 Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) |
5 October 2019 19:30 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Japan | 38–19 | Samoa |
Try: Lafaele 28' c Himeno 53' c Fukuoka 76' m Matsushima 80+5' c Con: Tamura (3/4) 29', 55', 80+7' Pen: Tamura (4/5) 3', 8', 24', 51' | Report | Try: Taefu 73' c Con: Taefu (1/1) 74' Pen: Taefu (4/5) 10', 15', 34', 45' |
City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota Attendance: 39,695 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) |
13 October 2019 19:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Japan | 28–21 | Scotland (1 BP) |
Try: Matsushima 18' c Inagaki 26' c Fukuoka (2) 40' c, 43' c Con: Tamura (4/4) 20', 27', 40+2', 44' | Report | Try: Russell 7' c Nel 50' c Fagerson 55' c Con: Laidlaw (2/2) 8', 51' Russell (1/1) 56' |
International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama Attendance: 67,666 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) |
20 October 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
Japan | 3–26 | South Africa |
Pen: Tamura (1/1) 20' | Report | Try: Mapimpi (2) 4' m, 70' m de Klerk 66' c Con: Pollard (1/3) 66' Pen: Pollard (3/4) 44', 49', 64' |
Tokyo Stadium, Chōfu Attendance: 48,831 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | England | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 150 | 39 | +111 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 18 | Advance to knockout stage, and qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
2 | Argentina | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 127 | 69 | +58 | 15 | 5 | 2 | 14 | |
3 | Japan | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 109 | 107 | +2 | 12 | 14 | 1 | 9 | Qualification to the 2027 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Samoa | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 92 | 75 | +17 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 7 | |
5 | Chile | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 27 | 215 | −188 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
10 September 2023 13:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
(1 BP) Japan | 42–12 | Chile |
Try: Fakatava (2) 8' c, 40+1' c Naikabula 30' c Leitch 53' c Nakamura 71' c Dearns 79' c Con: Matsuda (6/6) 10', 31', 40+2', 54', 73', 80+1' | Report | Try: Fernández 6' c A. Escobar 48' m Con: Videla (1/2) 7' |
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 30,187 Referee: Nic Berry (Australia) [10] |
17 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
(1 BP) England | 34–12 | Japan |
Try: Ludlam 24' c Lawes 56' c Steward 66' c Marchant 80+1' c Con: Ford (4/4) 26', 56', 67', 80+1' Pen: Ford (2/3) 4', 42' | Report | Pen: Matsuda (4/4) 15', 23', 32', 54' |
Allianz Riviera, Nice Attendance: 30,500 Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) [10] |
28 September 2023 21:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
Japan | 28–22 | Samoa (1 BP) |
Try: Labuschagné 13' c Leitch 32' c Himeno 48' m Con: Matsuda (2/3) 15', 33' Pen: Matsuda (3/3) 28', 56', 75' | Report | Try: S. Lam 38' m Paia'aua 65' c Leali'ifano 78' c Con: Leali'ifano (2/3) 66', 79' Pen: Leuila (1/2) 25' |
Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse Attendance: 31,794 Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) [10] |
8 October 2023 13:00 CEST (UTC+2) |
Japan | 27–39 | Argentina (1 BP) |
Try: Fakatava 16' c Saitō 38' c Naikabula 65' c Con: Matsuda (3/3) 17', 39', 67' Pen: Matsuda (1/1) 52' Drop: Lemeki (1/1) 56' | Report | Try: Chocobares 2' c M. Carreras (3) 28' m, 46' c, 68' c Boffelli 58' c Con: Boffelli (3/4) 2', 47', 60' Sánchez (1/1) 70' Pen: Boffelli (1/2) 35' Sánchez (1/1) 75' |
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Attendance: 33,624 Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) [10] |
At a special IRB meeting held in Dublin on 28 July 2009, Japan was announced as the host for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. [11]
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. [12]
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. It was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia – New Zealand hosted 21 matches while Australia hosted 11 matches. The tournament was won by New Zealand, who were the strong favourites and won all their matches comfortably. New Zealand defeated France 29–9 in the final at Eden Park in Auckland. The New Zealand team was captained by David Kirk and included such rugby greats as Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox and Michael Jones. Wales finished third, and Australia fourth, after conceding crucial tries in the dying seconds of both their semi-final against France and the third-place play-off against Wales.
The IRB2015 Rugby World Cup was the eighth Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial rugby union world championship. The tournament was hosted by England from 18 September to 31 October. Of the 20 countries competing in the World Cup in 2011, there was only one change: Uruguay replaced Russia. This was the first World Cup with no new teams to the tournament.
The Australia national rugby union team, known as the Wallabies, has played in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. They have won the World Cup on two occasions; only New Zealand and South Africa have won more. Australia has hosted or co-hosted the tournament twice – in 1987 and 2003, and is scheduled to host it in 2027.
The England national team have competed in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. They have played 57 matches in ten tournaments, and won 42 for a winning record of 73.68%. Their best ever position was champions in 2003, whilst they have also participated in three other finals; the 2019 final, the 2007 final and the final of the 1991 competition. They have beaten one country five times, Argentina and three countries four times; Australia, United States and Samoa. Their worst record is against South Africa, who have defeated them in five of their six encounters.
The 2019 Rugby World Cup was the ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It was hosted in Japan from 20 September to 2 November in 12 venues all across the country. The opening match was played at Ajinomoto Stadium in Chōfu, Tokyo, with the final match being held at International Stadium Yokohama in Yokohama. This was the first time that the tournament had taken place in Asia and outside the traditional Tier 1 rugby nations.
Scotland have played in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987.
Argentina have competed in all the Rugby World Cup tournaments, starting with the inaugural 1987 tournament.
The France national rugby team have competed in every Rugby World Cup since the tournament began in 1987. They are one of five teams who have played in the final match, having done so three times, losing and finishing second in the tournament each time. They have made it to at least the quarter-finals at every tournament.
The Rugby World Cup is a rugby union tournament held every four years and contested by the men's national teams of the member unions of World Rugby. The Wales national rugby union team has participated in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. Up to and including 2015, hosting of the tournament alternated between traditional rugby heartlands in the southern hemisphere and those in Europe. Wales was the primary host in 1999, with Cardiff's Millennium Stadium built to coincide with the event, and the other three tournaments played in Europe have also used venues in Wales to some degree. Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and its predecessor, the Cardiff Arms Park, will have hosted a total 21 matches over a total of four World Cups. This is the largest number of World Cup games hosted by one venue.
The Ireland national rugby union team have played in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. They have reached the quarter-finals at all but two tournaments, but have yet to progress to the semi-finals. They have finished top of their pool on three occasions.
The Canada national rugby union team has played in every Rugby World Cup except 2023 since the inaugural tournament in 1987. Their best performance was in 1991, when they beat Fiji and Romania, qualifying for the quarter-finals, where they lost to New Zealand.
The Tonga national rugby union team has played in all Rugby World Cup tournaments, except in 1991, when they did not qualify. Their best performances were in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments, when they won two matches. Their best single match win was an upset victory in 2011 over eventual finalists France.
The United States national rugby union team has played in all but two Rugby World Cups since the inaugural tournament in 1987. The USA is the second strongest national rugby side in North America, and the third strongest in the Americas after Argentina and Canada.
Rugby union is not a major sport in Singapore. Singapore is currently ranked 58th in the world and 6th in Asia. As of February 2015, there over 12,000 registered players, with more than 2,000 women playing the sport. There are also 15 formally organised clubs with 4 registered Women's sides.
The Hong Kong Women's Sevens held the first women's international rugby sevens tournament in 1997, and has since become an annual event. The 2020 edition marked the start of a new era for the Hong Kong Women's Sevens. For the first time, the tournament will be an official event in the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series. The 2020 and 2021 tournaments were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2013 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix was the 21st edition of the annual women's international volleyball tournament played by 20 countries from 2 August to 1 September 2013.
The 2015 Asian Sevens Series was the seventh Asian Sevens Series held by Asia Rugby. The winner and runner-up of the competition gaining entry into the World Series qualifying tournament at the 2016 Hong Kong Sevens.
Pool 1 of the 1987 Rugby World Cup began on 23 May and was completed on 3 June. The pool was composed of Australia, England, United States and Japan.
Pool 2 of the 1987 Rugby World Cup began on 24 May and was completed on 3 June. The pool was composed of Wales, Ireland, Canada and Tonga.
The 2003 Hong Kong Sevens was an international rugby sevens tournament that took place at the Hong Kong Stadium between 28 and 30 March 2003. It was the 28th edition of the Hong Kong Sevens and was the fifth tournament of the 2002–03 IRB Sevens World Series. Twenty-four teams competed in the tournament and were separated into six groups of four with the top eight teams qualifying through to the cup tournament.