World Cup performance showed just how far Japan rugby has come

Argentina laughed and joked through their news conference on Friday ahead of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland but that did not hide a steely determination to win. Yes, I concede that France has inherently been the New Zealand All Blacks “bogie” team over the course of Rugby World Cup history but this All Blacks team is not like the others. It also means an end to the involvement of several of the tournament hosts.

“To have the World Cup at your front door is just magnificent”, German Rugby Federation spokesman Matthias Hase told Reuters after a remarkable 3 million Germans tuned in to see Australia crush England.

Etihad Airways has a 21.24 per cent stake in the Australian carrier. What most probably won’t add is that for them, the dramatic tension peaked not as Scotland were pushed to the narrowest of victories by a rejuvenated Samoa, nor as a heroic 13-man Australia held out against a Welsh onslaught in a herculean defensive display. The carrier uses Dubai as an aviation hub for its flights between the two countries.

Still, they have this going for them: they are the only northern side not in awe of the All Blacks. Years of preparation built up to the 2015 World Cup and their tournament was over within 15 days. They’ve since dealt with Georgia and Tonga to record bonus point wins, and another big win over Namibia proved that they are indeed the real deal.

According to the worldwide Air Transport Association (Iata), “demand for aviation connectivity remains strong” amid the mixed global economic outlook.

And with the prospect of a quarter-final and qualification for the next World Cup at stake, it was a huge game for us. I think everyone agrees that they are the most impressive team so far and I think he is the reason why.

In other words, a few travellers avoid those dates because of higher airfares and hotel room rates, which would even out the demand, he said.

The French were blown away after the break and their first loss in the pool stage set up a quarterfinal against New Zealand, back in Cardiff on Saturday. They’ve got a phenomenal set of backs, pace and skill.

What has emerged from this epic World Cup is the strength of the Tier 2 nations: Japan’s match against the USA was one of the most enjoyable of the tournament. Talented enough to pull out a big performance against New Zealand in the quarters and if they do that, who knows how far they could go… Nations such Georgia, Romania, Spain, Portugal and Russian Federation need more to drive them than just qualifying for a tournament every four years. But if anyone is to pick up the mantle and rise to the task its Jamie Heaslip and he really could have a big bearing on the game come Sunday. There’s got to be a whole new audience going to these games as well so ER2015 have got a pretty hard job to get the balance between doing a fantastic event with the top-class facilities in easy-to-reach places, taking the amount of people that they can to ensure the commerciality is there – and that goes for hospitality and sponsors, who will all have a thought in their mind about what they want to deliver.

Above all Argentina have become the men in green’s world cup nemesis knocking them out of the competition twice. However, one can’t but feel sorry for the first side to win three pool games yet not progress. They are down to a skeleton staff, manned by players of substance in their back-row, the centurion lock, Alun Wyn Jones (94 caps for Wales, six for the Lions), the bulwark that is Jamie Roberts and the strike-weapon that is George North.

What a magnificent advert for rugby Ireland’s victory over France on Sunday was. South Africa will beat Wales (who aren’t as good as they thought they were). Tottenham Hotspur (Warburton is a Spurs fan) could be playing Man United and I always think they are going to win.