Japan ready for more heroics, says Jones

Japan’s Karne Hesketh, right, scores the winning try against South Africa during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England, Saturday September 19, 2015. I think even the Springbok supporters were baying for us near the end…maybe not, maybe I’m exaggerating. “A pretty humbling experience”.

Added to that, he kicked five penalties in an atmosphere that was electric. “I don’t know, it has just happened”, Jones said. A penalty put the Springboks back ahead by three points and it looked like they might just scrape the win. Now, all of a sudden, we get not only an unbelievable upset but a fantastically good game to watch as well and serious validation that this is a global event worthy of all the hype.

That meant the fearless Blossoms, who have three players in their squad who were not even born when Japan had last won a World Cup match in 1991, created an upset which ranks among the most remarkable sport has ever known.

However, the performance of that Japanese team in ridiculously doing away with South Africa was something to behold. “We got caught in a kicking duel… they had nothing to lose and took their chances”.

Kotaro Matsushima worked himself space and sliced the South African defence open as he found that man Goromaru in support and, unthinkably, the scores were level with just 10 minutes to play.

Jones once told a Japan press club media gathering that new scrum engagement laws, which soften the hit, had helped Japan.

After being excluded from the first two tournaments because of Apartheid, South Africa have a daunting World Cup record.

It seemed lost, as it looked – momentarily – as if South Africa turned the ball over.

“We’re at a loss for words to describe our performance”, South Africa captain Jean de Villiers said. But Japan’s confidence soared as the majority of the crowd threw their backing behind the most outside of outsiders. “If this isn’t a wake-up call, nothing will be”, Meyer said, measuring his words, his outward appearance at least calm and in control.

“Scoring four tries should be enough but our discipline wasn’t good enough”.

“All credit to them (the Japanese) they did well and they hung in there”, said Meyer. “Players and I must assume responsibility and it is going to take a huge effort to get back on track”. Johnny Sexton scored 14 points, including one of seven tries as Joe Schmidt’s much-fancied side grabbed a bonus-point win from their opening encounter.

Japan: A Goromaru; A Yamada (K Hesketh 78), M Sa’u, C Wing, K Matsushima; K Ono (H Tatekawa 74), F Tanaka (A Hiwasa 67); M Mikami (K Inagaki 58), S Horie (T Kizu 70), K Hatakeyama (H Yamashita 10-20, 54), L Thompson, H Ono (S Makabe 54), M Leitch (capt), M Broadhurst, H Tui (A Mafi 46).

Only a minute later, Du Plessis crossed for South Africa to lead 12-10 at the interval, but they had little to cheer.