Tokyo (AFP)
Another match for history ... Qualified for the first time in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Japan plays against South Africa a place in the last four, pushed, carried, urged by all a country, Sunday (12:15 French, 10:15 GMT) in Tokyo.
The Cherry Blossoms jersey is out of stock in stores; the "Hinomaru", the white flag with a red disk, proudly appears in the streets; television channels are repeating the Japanese essays in a loop; the locals stop the Westerners from a "rugby?" followed by a big smile; the press conferences are moved to accommodate all journalists ... No doubt, Japan is in the quarterfinals of the World Cup. For the greatest pleasure of the host country.
For the party does not stop Sunday at Tokyo Stadium, it will reiterate the 'miracle of Brighton', the day of glory of Japanese rugby.
During World-2015, a last action of a mad daring had offered Japan an unlikely victory against the South African giant (34-32), a capital performance that propelled the Asian country into the big leagues.
This last minute try, while the Boks were leading 32-29, remains a major feat of the World Cup and even inspired a film.
- Forget Brighton -
But this time, the stakes are different. At the British World Cup, the Cherry Blossoms had indeed, despite their feat, not past the group stage while the Springboks had gone half way.
No question this time to miss the opportunity. Especially since the last opposition between the two teams had turned to the advantage of double world champions.
"In all honesty, that's why we faced them in a warm-up match before the World Cup (South Africa's 41-7 win, Ed)." To wipe out this story, we're tied 1-1 now, so I will not ask the question, "said South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus this week.
The Japanese have moved on. "In fact, it's been four years since I try to forget it," said coach Jamie Joseph.
"Everybody talks about it but it's another team, different players ... Yes, we still have some players and it was an incredible feat at the last World Cup, now we're focusing on what 'We have to do and we do not think about it,' he adds.
- "A great feeling" -
Turning Brighton's page, the goal displayed by the Boks is the same.
"It was very hard to lose like that," said captain Siya Kolisi, who was on the bench in 2015.
"Of course, it's been in a corner of our head, it's something we never want to live again, it's a much better team now so it was good to face them before the World Cup. -7 in a warm-up match, Ed.) They have really improved and we are all looking forward to the challenge, "said the Stormers second-row.
Because it's a whole nation pushing behind Brave Blossoms. "We know that, if we continue to win, lots of people will come to support us, it adds a little motivation, it's a great feeling, the fans give us more energy, that's for sure," he said. estimated the second line Uwe Helu.
It's a fact: since the start of the World Cup, Japan has played at sixteen, with the public as a team-mate, in a deafening noise.
Against the Boks, the Tokyo Stadium will enter the whirlwind of enthusiasm that accompanies the national team. The speaker is ready to ignite for this opposition of styles that is announced: on the one hand the claimed power of the South Africans, who placed six fronts on the bench of substitutes to "smash" the Japanese; on the other hand the speed of execution and the ability to exploit any ball at Brave Blossoms.
On each side, supersonic wingmen (Kolbe, Mapimpi, Boks, Fukuoka and Matsushima among the Japanese) are finally waiting to validate this strategy. And make sense of this crazy story.
© 2019 AFP