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Japan have been the team of the Rugby World Cup so far as they have been punching well above their weight class. Unbeaten and into the quarter finals for the first time in their history and now in uncharted waters. Up next is South Africa who thumped them 6 weeks ago in a warm up match.
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Over the last year the team has been together for around 9 months which is not normal. Most international teams get together a few days before a big game and work on game plans. This team is different though and 9 months is serious preparation time. The sacrifices that everyone has put in is being shown in their results and I am happy for everyone involved.
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Fitness is part of their weapon and they may be physically smaller but they don't stop. They are the equivalent of a Duracell Bunny that just keeps going and going. Everything that gets thrown at them they have an answer to and that is a sign of a well coached decent team. One thing is these guys will never give up and will rather die trying than just rolling over.
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Japan are not scared to play rugby and they are the first team from Asia to qualify for the quarter finals in a World Cup. Beating Ireland and Scotland and topping the Pool this is not luck but just pure hard work and dedication.
What the Japanese players get paid per year other players are paid per match. The recognition will happen for them now and the Japanese team needs to be moved up a tier level now. Somehow they need to be encouraged and pushed so they become stronger. Their salaries will most certainly increase as these players are becoming household names and the country has seen what they are capable of.
Rugby is coming alive and the country is coming alive to rugby. Who knows where Japan can go with this and they are a team worth watching.