Rising support — and expectations — lift hosts Japan at World Cup

Japan's head coach Jamie Joseph looks on prior to the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool A match between Japan and Samoa at the City of Toyota Stadium in Toyota City, October 5 2019. Picture: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP

The Brave Blossoms’ 38-19 victory over Samoa at the City of Toyota Stadium on Saturday means a win or draw in their final Pool A match against Scotland in Yokohama on October 13 will seal a first knockout place, while even a bonus-point defeat might be enough. “I can’t talk about the All Blacks but what I’m witnessing every Saturday is a full stadium,” Joseph told reporters. “It started with the Russia game and has been growing every week since then. The Japanese public are really behind the team. But that’s what we knew would happen if we won Test matches.

Much of that newfound fervour came after the surprise 19-12 victory over high-ranking Ireland in their second Pool A game, which has presented Japan with the chance not only to qualify for the quarterfinals for the first time but also to secure top spot in the group and avoid New Zealand in the next stage.But Joseph cautioned that the Ireland victory has perhaps raised expectations a little too high. “I’ve got to put everybody straight.

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