Japan revels in rugby World Cup draw with Canada

RUGBY: Japan rejoiced in their team's dramatic rugby World Cup draw against Canada as if it were worth the two victories that the perennial underdogs had been gunning for.

The Asian champions scored a last-gasp converted try to equal Canada 12-12 in Bordeaux in their final pool B match, ending their World Cup losing streak at 13.

"A dramatic draw," declared the influential daily Asahi Shimbun Wednesday. "We will see whether or not if it was a meaningful draw."

"Kirwan's Japan have shown a never-give-up kind of rugby in Bordeaux," said the mass-circulation Yomiuri Shimbun. "It has not yet matured but promises to become a fine wine."

Another major daily Mainichi Shimbun noted: "The draw was worthwhile as Japan had spectators on their side and caught up with Canada. We did not lose, indeed." Japan's coach John Kirwan praised his team's spirit.

"The World Cup is over but it's a start for Japan," said Kirwan, who led New Zealand to win the inaugural World Cup in 1987 as a fleet-footed winger.

The 42-year-old, who finished his playing career in Japan in 2001 and took the helm of the Brave Blossoms last January, had set a goal of two wins in France.

But it was a tall order since Japan have only one World Cup victory so far, having beaten hapless Zimbabwe 52-8 in 1991.

Japan made history for all the wrong reasons in 1995 when they were shattered by New Zealand 145-17, which at the time was the largest-ever losing margin in a World Cup.

The record was broken in 2003 when Australia whitewashed Namibia 142-0. In France, Japan lost 91-3 to Australia, 35-31 to Fiji and 72-18 to Wales before the draw with Canada.

Now Japan's World Cup record stands with one win, one draw and 18 losses.

The result is expected to weigh on Japan's bid to host the 2015 World Cup after they narrowly lost to New Zealand for the 2011 edition. But Noboru Mashita, executive director of the Japan Rugby Football Union, was upbeat.

He said Japan played in a way to "touch our hearts" and expressed hope Kirwan would continue guiding Japan for as long as he can after his current two-year contract expires.

TOKYO, Wednesday, AFP