The Ultimate Underdog Story: Japan's rise in the Rugby World Cup!

Since their record loss to the all blacks in the Rugby World Cup, Japan have been on a long journey to become one of the best sides in rugby, culminating in them hosting the rugby world cup themselves in 2019. Here is their ultimate underdog story, from humble beginnings, to the 'Miracle in Brighton', to hosts of the biggest international tournament in rugby!
SUBSCRIBE to World Rugby on KZbin: @World Rugby
For news, stories, highlights and more, go to our official website: www.world.rugby
Follow World Rugby on social media:
KZbin: @World Rugby
Facebook: / worldrugby
Twitter: / worldrugby
Instagram: / worldrugby
To LICENSE World Rugby footage, please contact IMG REPLAY ➡️ bit.ly/2yYNlIF
#Rugby #Underdogs #WorldCup

[@WorldRugby]

What's your favourite Japan result? Let us know in the comments!

[@conorharris2451]

Japan played so well against South Africa! It wasn’t a win in the World Cup but I think they played their best game

[@trajiciii2202]

Watching the Japanese team play in the RWC 2019 really inspired me; I was 15yr during that time. I'm 17yr now still striving my best to become a professional rugby player, my name is Maika and I hope one day I could have the opportunity to play international rugby.

[@luchiboy]

Good like Maika, reply back to this on his you go

[@linalmeemow]

Ganbatte, Maika. I hope we see you in a Japan shirt in 2023 or 2027!

[@trajiciii2202]

@@linalmeemow thank you so much for the support, definitely gonna use it as motivation

[@andrewlambert3110]

@@trajiciii2202 I believe in ya man! Believe in yourself and anything is possible God bless

[@trajiciii2202]

@@andrewlambert3110 Yoo thank you man. I keep coming back to this comment section just so I can get some motivation from you all. Just wanna say thank you for being supportive for me even we're strangers. Good bless you all❤️

[@shimo2208]

I am from Japan. We are really respect what all staff done to prepare the stadium after the big typhoon hit tokyo. All these background stories made the game with Scotland awesome and emotional. I also appreciate as one of the Japanese fan to all fans who cheer Japan rugby.

[@curiousuranus810]

Absolutely love this story - utterly brilliant.

[@luchiboy]

Quite possibly one of the most beautiful things I've seen about rugby. Was fully engaged in the video and felt the emotions of the fans. Well done WR. less than 10K to go before the magical 1million subs

[@wezvandez]

I love the Springboks, but watching Japan beat them to begin their journey towards gaining utter respect from the rugby world was glorious.

[@alexjones7043]

I was sitting at home alone at 4am watching. When they scored the match winner I just started running around the house. I’m a grown man. And I’m Australian. What a beautiful game.

[@seatoskyadventures6130]

As a South African, we were all in absolute shock. And they beat us fair and square, they fully deserved that win. It turned them into an instant sensation at home and got the support of the people behind them. They were amazing in 2019. Top class stuff🇯🇵🇿🇦🍻

[@ThePietrocks]

Italy had beaten South Africa too! Japan was strong, or South Africa was extremely weak?

[@heavyx8]

no man

[@hitstickwear3189]

2min in I liked this video.. then 4min in I went to like it again and realised, whoops, I've already liked it. So excited for Japan's future in rugby. As a kiwi Samoan, I'm proud to say, I support the blossoms 2nd only to the All Blacks.

[@charliewilloughby417]

Japan is one of those teams that no matter what they do you can’t hate them

[@mariit522]

👏👏my favorite one is 2015 Japan vs South Africa

[@runnerfromjapan4170]

最高だよほんとに

[@MrGA555]

Rugby fans are some of the nicest out there

[@loveborg]

I never forget how miserable we felt when AB beat our team with the score of 145. At that time, I didn't want to talk with my NZ friend because I could easily imagine to be teased. Then, 20 yrs later, I never imagined how glorious we are when they beat SB in England. It was a dream, and I am still dreaming now. Go, brave blossoms. We are with you all the time!

[@24NIEMAND]

How fitting that it all start and ended with South Africa, 2015-2019 RWC's.

[@lemmykilmister1239]

I remember losing my mind when I saw that brilliant Fukuoka offload to Matsushima. can't wait for the next RWC.

[@MisterBusyBee]

what a shame that world rugby community have not capitalized on this success by giving them access to the rugby championship. just baffling really.

[@n7qbss815]

ジャパンをボッコボコにしたメンバーの中心選手が今ジャパンを率いているのも感慨深い

[@paulbloomfield6414]

They sure had a good captain, that competition. Only going to be better on the future.

[@s0uljaman337]

RUGBY BEST EVER

[@BeniBen]

May I suggest watch the movie The Brighton Miracle it's an excellent movie about japan rise into rugby world

[@xcaluhbration]

Man I wish this sport would gather steam here in the United State. I think people here would love it if exposed to it.

[@hanifmalek5054]

👍🏉

[@hjarts5395]

Blue lock but rugby???

[@lutherallen137]

Yeah. Luther Jr. No. You can't leave with me and Roberto. BECAUSE WE DONT LIKE YOU

[@bluemagic6268]

Half of the Japanese team are Pacific Islanders

[@daniel.gibbon]

Well, Japan is an island in the Pacific.

[@seatoskyadventures6130]

Much like the All Blacks

[@linalmeemow]

@@daniel.gibbon Best response. The clown Blue Magic gets a geography lesson!

[@burningknuckle26]

many of them grew up in japan or live in japan tho.

[@Silenced_by_nazi_youtube]

I don’t even watch rugby and now I wanna watch it to watch Japan

[@yooyist]

This journey from this game against S.A. in 2015 to that game against S.A. in 2019 was just amazing. I loved every bit of it and I can't wait to see them playing in France for the next WR

[@松G跋罰閥]

２０１９年のワールドカップ期間中は、日本の勝利を祈ってワクワク、ドキドキと幸せでした。

[@bFORCe2003]

Their best ever result was beating South Africa at the World Cup, that was the biggest upset in rugby history.

[@aldente2011]

May we get through the pandemic and enjoy Rugby matches as before.

[@Samizouza]

Despite the typhoon being the only blemish in their home world cup, Japan definitely delivered for their fans in reaching the quarterfinals despite not winning it all. Hoping for the same with the other upcoming 2nd tier nations in 2023, especially Fiji and Georgia if they can sort out the inconsistency issues to do more than just scratch the surface into tier 1 status.

[@curiousgeorge3916]

Why is i South Africa 27 - 18 Australia at 1:34. I think you should fix it

[@seatoskyadventures6130]

When Japan beat us fair and square in the 2015 cup, I was in shock. 🇿🇦 But after seeing how strong it made them and how rugby was instantly supported by their people, it actually made our loss an overall good thing. They did amazingly well in 2019, exceeding all expectations. I was actually somewhat sad when we beat them in 2019, ending their amazing journey. Cheers Japan, you deserved everything you got. 🍻🇯🇵

[@RioGamer]

Yup it went both ways. Was embarrassing for 1 team and very motivational for another team. It was a really good thing for world rugby. The rise of Japan is alive.

[@scribblescratch3011]

This is Awesome and historical event in rugby I'm a all blacks supporter but Japan has earned the respect of the world Awesome. I'll cheering them on when they play Australia

[@CEH06]

Cannot wait to see them go at it again at RWC 2023!

[@opg1987]

1:34 - South Africa vs Australia? What!?

[@Samizouza]

Yeah good question, looks like the editing team overlooked that error

[@roughRaf]

Was watching all the games. SO MUCH COMMITMENT!! Respect!!!

[@conorharris2451]

Rugby is great!

[@oCyRax]

Ya love to see it

[@SupaSeb09]

Im not crying, you are.

[@shir9147]

Is there any type of video like this? Really like how they explain japan history ini rwc

[@cgpurple8989]

1:36 hmmmmmm

[@jackevans9289]

Incredible

[@Erastus2Fast]

Also do a video about Namibia

[@chrisnaude2929]

You mean the Sanzaar Barbarians?

[@PatstarDeluxe]

I watched the 1995 game live as a 13 year old. Although I was happy we won.... I felt horrible for Japan and Japanese rugby. It inspired me to learn Japanese from the following year at high school and travel there on a rugby school swap in 1997. I stopped using my Japanese out of high school and forgot it all, but recently have taken it back up as well as my interest in rugby again. The 2019 team was incredibly inspirational! Your rugby, country and people are beautiful!

[@carljeffries7241]

1:33 I'm sorry South Africa 27 - 18 Australia? Not sure what that is about

[@misteryhs]

Just come back after Japan beat Germany in football World Cup. Now we know football and rugby have two things in common: Created by British and Japan is the giant slayer

[@lutherallen137]

Yeah El. We will have coffee On one condition That's right. No more attacks on Wednesday Great. I talk to you later.

[@pauledmonds3249]

Sport played as it should be. Great competition, skill, determination, not a hint of the thuggery and cheating we see in football.

[@Steelballz89]

Been wonderful to watch the rise of Japanese rugby as a kiwi always having faith they will get there 🏉

[@Christsfireignitors]

The rise of injustice in rugby, most of those players are from different countries especially the Pacific Islands, only countries with money can buy these players and have them play professional rugby and for their country. They have also made rules to stop those Island players playing for their own countries. Shame on the rugby nations with who are doing this.

[@Me-ex7qg]

The eligibility rules weren't made to intentionally disadvantage the PI nations LOL. Pacific Island players like any other have the choice to represent whatever team they're eligible for. The rules are there to stop players from flip-flopping between international teams.

[@Trajan2401]

Most of them no matter what country they're playing for were born in NZ even the players in Samoa,Tonga etc most were born in NZ.

[@incisive1896]

At the end of the day it's money.

[@ieatbananaskins7926]

I love how Japan is everyone's favourite team, I may be Irish and was gutted when we lost but looking back I think it's amazing that they beat us However Ireland really need to take notes from Japan and learn how to peak during a world cup