Japan bow out of World Cup by beating US 28-18

But although Japan beat South Africa, Samoa and America, they finished two points behind Pool B runners-up Scotland and became the first nation in World Cup history to win three group games and not secure a quarter-final place. Fly-half Kosei Ono beat Al McFarland before threading a kick though for Yoshikazu Fujita.

Japan’s captain Michael Leitch also ended the night at the top of the rankings for the most gain-line carries of any player during the tournament so far, emphasising the team’s muscle up front as well as its prominent attacking flair. “The guys have all played above themselves and played with a real spirit”. Once again, skill and smart play from Japan meant that they were able to overcome the physical challenge of the USA, and proved that there’s a very bright future indeed for this side.

The colourful Australian coach has signed off in style, with Japan following up wins over South Africa and Samoa by beating the US 28-18 in the final round-robin match.

Jones, who is leaving his role after the World Cup, said the team was well placed to make an impression as hosts of the competition in 2019.

“So to win three of four games shows the quality of players we have, and how hard we’ve worked to achieve this”.

“It’s complicated. Our goal was to get to the quarterfinals so I don’t think there’s a single player on the team who’s happy with the outcome”, said fullback Ayumu Goromaru, who like many of his teammates was unable to control his emotions.

All you need to know about the 40th and last pool stage match of this Rugby World Cup. “They’ve changed the whole image of Japanese rugby”. But, typically of their pool matches, they played well only in patches.

After AJ MacGinty landed an early penalty for the USA, Japan responded with their first foray into American territory, switching the ball from one flank to other with swift hands to leave Matsushima free to cross in the corner.

U.S. got within a sniff when Chris Wyles crossed over to score but a late Japan penalty sealed the result.

Japan: A Goromaru; Y Fujita, H Tatekawa, C Wing, K Matsushima; K Ono (K Hesketh, 72), F Tanaka; K Inagaki (M Mikami, 59), S Horie (T Kizu, 76), H Yamashita; L Thompson, J Ives (S Makabe, 67); M Leitch, M Broadhurst (H Tui, 71), R Holani (A Mafi, 40).

After making his name at the 2007 World Cup, it’s fair to say that Takudzwa Ngwenya hasn’t quite kicked on as everyone hoped he would after burning Bryan Habana on that famous evening in Montpellier eight years ago.

MacGinty’s conversion briefly reduced the deficit to seven points before another Goromaru penalty rounded off the scoring.

Ngwenya looked bound for a second try until he was run down from behind by replacement flanker Amanaki Mafi, who scored a try while USA prop Eric Fry was in the sin-bin for a professional foul.

As his teammates walked around the stadium to chants of “Nippon, Nippon”, Goromaru was overcome with emotion while receiving his second man-of-the-match award at the tournament.