Making a home away from home could be the key for the Wallabies - and their rivals - to win the Rugby World Cup in Japan
THE All Blacks were not taking pity on the Wallabies for taking their Bledisloe Cup to Japan, they have their eye on a bigger prize, writes Jamie Pandaram.
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BEFORE the greatest upset in rugby history, Eddie Jones — then coach of Japan — took a quiet trip to the sacred region of Miyazaki Prefecture.
BEFORE the greatest upset in rugby history, Eddie Jones – then coach of Japan – took a quiet trip to the sacred region of Miyazaki Prefecture.
Legend has it that this region is where the first God descended from heaven, and where Japan’s sun goddess hid in a cave for hundreds of years, plunging the nation into darkness before eight million deities devised a plan to coax her out.
Jones, who prepared meticulously for an entire year for the pool match against South Africa at the 2015 World Cup, was leaving nothing to chance.
So he prayed.
Jones, whose mother is Japanese, sought divine help in Miyazaki, and locals are convinced it made the difference as the Brave Blossoms scored a try after the full-time siren to record their famous 34-32 win in Brighton.
“Eddie came to pray here, and that’s why Japan beat South Africa,” Miyazaki’s tourism manager Mitsuhiro Mikoshi said.
This is an insightful tale, for this is a nation enshrined in deep traditional beliefs and superstition.
And to have success in Japan, host nation of next year’s Rugby World Cup, you need to understand the culture and the people.
As ever, the All Blacks seem one step ahead of the rest.
This week, coach Steve Hansen made the surprise announcement that New Zealand would give up their home ground advantage in the third Bledisloe Cup match against the Wallabies by taking the game to Yokohama, venue of the 2019 World Cup final.
This is not the Kiwis taking pity on Australia’s winless record across the ditch since 2001.
It’s Hansen wanting his side to overcome high pressure from Michael Cheika’s team in the same stadium he plans to be holding aloft the William Webb Ellis trophy 12 months later.
And Hansen’s already got his players learning the Japanese language.
“We’re busy at home studying to see if we can learn some of it,” Hansen told Japanese reporters. “For some it’s easy, for others it’s difficult.
“Clearly we want to come and win [the World Cup].
“But we also want to enjoy our time here in Japan and get to understand the Japanese people and spend some time with them, so it’s very much about playing some good rugby, some winning rugby, and enjoying the culture of the country.”
This has been received like a river of gold in Japan.
The All Blacks are already winning the PR battle for hearts and minds.
Japan, likely the most polite nation in the world, will never attempt to impose their language or culture on foreigners.
“We appreciate that other cultures are different, we don’t want to force our ways upon foreigners,” World Cup promotion official Hisato Kikuchi said.
“But we try to explain how the Japanese people do things. When in Rome, do as the Romans do, that is a nice saying. But we are not forcing, no, no.”
Those who attempt even the most basic of pleasantries in the local language – konnichiwa (hello), arigatou gozaimasu (thank you) – will be showered with praise and affection.
If the All Blacks rock up next year talking Japanese they’ll have 127 million fans creating a faux home advantage for them.
So Australia must create their own momentum this year, particularly the week of October 27 when they’ll play the Bledisloe in Yokohama.
Next year’s World Cup won’t be won by the team that bunkers down and shuns outsiders – the Japanese are too friendly to allow that to happen.
Instead, the team that can embrace the warm atmosphere and best navigate the time-consuming but important greeting customs will prosper.
Australia's history of success at World Cups has tended to go hand-in-hand with the Wallabies, and by extension their fans, setting a temporary home base in the country they're visiting.
In 1991 it was Ireland, in 1999 it was Wales. When the Wallabies played five games in a row at Twickenham in 2015, they made the final.
With the Wallabies playing at least one big game in Kyushu, there's little doubt their supporters could come to feel right at home.
They may not want to leave.The wondrous Takachiho Gorge, created three centuries ago by volcanic eruption, is a captivating place to visit.
Shrines and caves are dotted through the region, and one can make a wish in the last cave by stacking a pile of three pebbles.Canoe rides across the beautiful green water and past the picturesque waterfalls can't be missed, either.When visiting Fukuoka, Aussie visitors in the mood for a stroll back in time will love the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
This writer took the chance to be kitted out as a samurai in the Wa Collection Mito kimono shop, and enjoyed a traditional tea ceremony.For those less interested in dressing up, a stroll in and around the 250 metre-long shrine is as peaceful as it sounds, with the pathway crossing ornate bridges, passing a scenic pond and all the while being within striking distance of many shops to buy a souvenir or three.
If the body gets weary from a hectic touring schedule, the nightlife and all the cheering in the stands, Aussie fans will find plenty of places to soak their aching muscles in Oita, where the "onsen" hot spring baths provide a blissful place to rest.
Groups will relish the rooftop spring bath on top of Oita’s JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom, where you can gaze upon the city at night.Australians love their meat and they'll love the locally produced “bungo” beef.
Delicious marbled steaks are yours to cook on a char grill in the middle of the table at most barbecue joints. Oita is where the All Blacks play their second game, the Wallabies take on Uruguay, Wales battle Fiji and two of the quarter-finals will be held.
It will be rugby to remember. But the trip itself will be hard to forget.
HELPFUL INFORMATION FOR RWC TOURISTS
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium
Address: 2-1-1 Higashihirao Koen, Hakata-ku Fukuoka, 816-0052
Capacity: 22,563
Access:
Take subway and get off at Fukuoka Kuko Station, then take Nishitetsu bus from Fukuoka Kuko-mae stop and get off at Higashi-Hirao Koen-iriguchi stop (5 minutes walk)
*Temporary buses (direct bus) are available on the game days.
Website:
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/venues/hakatanomori-football-stadium
Match Schedule:
-Thursday 26th September: Italy vs Repechage winner
-Wednesday 2 October: France vs USA
-Saturday 12 October: Ireland vs Play-off winner
Oita Stadium
Address: 1351 Yokoo, Oita, Oita Prefecture 870-0126
Capacity: 40,000
Access:
From JR Oita station, on the JR Higo line, go to the Kaneike bus terminal, directly in front of the north exit, and board any bus bound for "Park Place" (or any shuttle bus marked as an Oita Trinita shuttle bus). It is about a 30-minute bus ride to the "Big Eye Higashi" bus stop, which is a short walk from the stadium entrance.
Website:
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/venues/oita-stadium?lang=en
Match Schedule:
- Wednesday 2 October: New Zealand vs Repechnage winner
- Saturday 5 October: Australia vs Americas 2
- Wednesday 9 October: Wales vs Fiji
Quarter final
- Saturday 19 October: Winner of pool C vs Runner-up of pool D
- Sunday 20 October: Winner of pool D vs Runner-up of pool C
Kumamoto Stadium
Address: 2776 Hirayamamachi, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture 861-8012
Capacity: 32,000
Access:
From Kumamoto Station on either JR Kyushu Shinkansen, JR Kagoshima Line, or JR Hohi Line, take the Kyushu Sanko Bus to ‘Park Dorm Kumamoto mae’ (¥600/50 minutes) bound for Shika No8. Menkyo Center, then walk 3 minutes to the stadium. Alternatively, from Kotsu Center take the Kyushu Sanko Bus to ‘Park Dorm Kumamoto mae’ (¥520/35 minutes) bound for Shika No4. Menkyo Center.
Website:
https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/venues/kumamoto-prefectural-athletic-stadium
Match Schedule:
-Sunday 6 October: France vs Tonga
-Sunday 13 October: Wales vs Americas 2
*The writer was in Japan as a guest of Kyushu Tourism