Tokyo (AFP)

Rugby fans in Japan, fans of always new followers, did not miss Saturday "the chance of a lifetime" to follow the opening match of the World Cup in bars and fans areas of Tokyo .

"I was waiting for the World Cup with such impatience, it's an opportunity for a lifetime," exclaims Kasumi Takizawa, an oval balloon fan who came to cheer the Japan team, the Brave Blossoms, in a fan area near the luxury district of Ginza.

"I regularly watch rugby because in my family we are all fans," says the 25-year-old.

"But none of my friends do," she regrets.

She has a ticket for a match from Argentina but really wanted to experience a match in a public space.

"I wanted to come and taste this atmosphere," she says. "I hope to see more people become rugby fans to share my enthusiasm with them."

Even without shining in the game, the Japanese have come to the point: a victory with the bonus against Russia (30-10), the team deemed the lowest team in Pool A.

This is the first time that the World Cup is organized away from the great traditional nations of Ovalie, in order to widen the public of this sport.

The bet is successful for Hirohide Kawase, 54, who follows the match with his wife in the fan zone and is one of the new converts.

"I often watch football and basketball but never rugby," said Kawase.

- "We love" -

But he was inspired by the masterful surprise created by Japan when he beat South Africa in the pool match of the previous World Cup in 2015.

"I remember the impressive victory of Japan (...) I want this team to come to the top," he says.

His wife admits to being a perfect neophyte: "I just learned the rules and how they stick, it looks so violent that it scares me."

The official fan zone was full and about fifty spectators were turned away, the maximum capacity of 2,000 people having been reached.

Inside, the excited fans have sung a lot, most dressed in the red and white uniform of Japan. Some had stuck to the face of World Cup mascot stickers: two creatures with big eyes and lion's mane.

And the spectators came from all over the world to Japan for this competition of more than one month, whose final will be played on November 2nd.

Among the fans, Hayley Beaton, a 29-year-old scientist from Ireland.

"We are very excited about the World Cup," said Beaton, who has offered tickets for three of Ireland's games.

"We love it!", Adds her friend Susie Griffith, a 29-year-old teacher.

"Coming to Japan and watching matches is a chance that only happens once in a lifetime," enthuses Mrs. Griffith.

"As long as Japan does not beat Ireland," she laughs.

This crucial match for the host country, which aims to reach the quarter-finals, will take place on 28 September.

© 2019 AFP