Japan vs US Eagles, Match Preview.

Losty Dublin

Live on 3E/UTV/ITV4 HD, kick off 8PM. Live streaming on www.tv3.ie and www.itv.com.

Until Scotland scraped past Samoa yesterday this game had a lot riding on it as it appeared that Japan had a chance of making the quarter finals for the first time ever. Alas it wasn't to be and with the group placings now set in stone this game is to be played for what matters most of all; the saki of it.

For Japan it has been a most successful few weeks in the sports history. Defeat of Samoa and South Africa have exceeded even their wildest expectations and became the country's greatest ever sports event since Roy Keane didn't make it there atall atall atall in 2002. Qualification for the 2019 tournament on the field of play, their true barometer of success, has been achieved while they have also raised their world ranking to close of that of England. Not bad for a team who's next best claim to fame was a Max Boyce song. Asso Asso Yogoshi.

US Eagles have done less well this time around but to give them their due they have done as good as can have been expected. Rugby has only been played in America since 1986, the sport having been brought to the New World by George Hook. Since he returned home to Ireland a week later the game has gone from strength to strength, the sport even getting a mention once in an episode of Friends

Oh yeah, the game. The veterans are making the headlines of sorts this time around. Yoshikazu Fujita is selected for his first appearance at wing while ex Kangaroo, centre Craig Wing makes his proper RWC debut at the age of 35. Eddie Jones sees fit to recall lock Justin Ives to the pack as well, he being a mere 37. The US team is similar to that which severely tested Scotland a fortnight ago and is probably about as strong a team as they can field.


My prediction? The US badly want the win but they have been found wanting, try as they might. Japan have come on far too much to even be considered a risk of losing but the Eagles will want to win, or at least look good whilst losing. I say for lots of open football for the Japan to beat the Yanks 36-22 and no hope of Hulk Hogan bailing the US out, namely because he turned up at the wrong code....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DMTOviweoM

sydthebeat

Probably the best game preview to date !

wp_rathead

Great write up
Gutted this is clashing with the Poland game

Losty Dublin

wp_rathead wrote: »

Great write up
Gutted this is clashing with the Poland game

But Poland aren't in the RWC

Digifriendly

Just to be clear, this match is on ITV4 not ITV and you need an HD subscription to watch it in HD on ITV4 HD. It is on neither 5 live nor 5 live sports extra.

AbusesToilets

Nice try there for the US. Been a minute since they scored their last one. McGinty to Connacht?

AbusesToilets

Smashing maul effort there by the Blossoms. I love Japan's approach to rucks, great clean outs and fast ball from the base. Just so good.