Rugby World Cup 2015: Japan need to use Springboks win to boost the game back home

EDDIE Jones says Japan’s historic upset over the Springboks still feels like ‘a dream’, but one that can help improve the reality of the sport in the country.

Japan players celebrate defeating South Africa 32-34 in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match at the Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton, England Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)

EDDIE Jones hopes Japan’s historic upset over the Springboks can be the catalyst for the JRFU to resolve problems with their Super Rugby franchise and 2019 World Cup preparations.

The rest of the world was still coming to grips with Japan’s victory over South Africa in Brighton yesterday and though Jones admitted it still felt like “a dream”, his team had to get straight back to business.

With a big clash against Scotland on Wednesday, the victorious Brave Blossoms didn’t even get the day off to soak up a celebratory atmosphere in the coastal England town.

“We had to move on quickly, we just had our first team meeting and we’re off to have a light training now,” Jones said.

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“We have no choice mate, we have Scotland on Wednesday. We literally have two days to prepare.”

Victory over the Scots would see Japan qualify for their first ever Rugby World Cup finals and top the Springboks’ win as Japanese rugby’s greatest achievement.

Japan has endured some turbulence this year on a rugby front, with doubts about their viability as a new franchise in the expanded Super Rugby competition next year and World Rugby voicing concerns about Japan’s readiness to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Many of the Japanese team are expected to sign up for the Super Rugby franchise but haven’t yet and the worry about the World Cup is having enough suitable stadiums to turn on a big tournament.

Jones said he hoped the win over South Africa could be the jump-start for the JRFU to get rugby flying in Japan.

“I hope it gives the administration a reason to really, really get things right. That is my hope,” he said.

Jones said he won’t re-consider his decision to stand down as Japanese coach, however.

“Nah, I have had four years mate, that’s enough. Time for someone else to have a go,” he said.

Jones said he was blown away by the response to Japan’s win.

“Seriously it is like a bit of a dream for Japan to beat South Africa. It has been quite amazing walking around Brighton today, people dressed in Japanese flags. The interest it has created has been unbelievable and it was obviously fantastic for Japanese rugby,” Jones told the Daily Telegraph.

“I honestly believed we could get into a position to win the game,” Jones said.

“Tier 2 countries against tier 1, a common situation is at 60 minutes it is still very close and then the tier 1 country runs away with it.

“I knew we could get in that position but what I didn’t know was whether we could go on with it, like we did yesterday.”

Jones’ confidence about winning grew massively, however, when the two teams went in at halftime, with South Africa only leading 14-12.

He knew the pressure would only increase on the Springboks.

“I just said we were in the perfect situation. 14-12, that’s a winning situation for us,” Jones said.

“The longer the game went, the closer it was, the more pressure went on South Africa. I just said to them we are a winning position here boys, the longer we stick to them the more chance we have of winning this game.”

Originally published as Rugby World Cup 2015: Japan need to use Springboks win to boost the game back home