Japan claim famous draw

Japan claim famous draw
By Andrew Collins
September 26 2007

Rugby World Cup 2007 saw its first draw of the tournament, as Group B minnows Canada and thrilled the crowds with an entertaining 12 all result! While the score line itself seems dull, the drama that stalked the two sides made the match a must-see.

Japan, who have already impressed the rugby world with fantastic displays against Fiji as well as scoring what is potentially try of the tournament against Wales, claimed a real scalp over the Canucks, who will feel slightly aggrieved regarding the final minutes of the match.

Having taken an early 5-0 lead in the match, Canada scored twice in the second half and looked certain to go on and win the match outright. However there was controversy in the final minutes, when the clock seemed dead to all the viewers, and apparently the Canucks, before Japan scored a try in the far right hand corner in the 85^th minute.

Canada kicked the ball out on what was to the millions watching 81 minutes, however the line out was taken, and after a Japanese tap penalty, they Brave Blossoms crossed to bring themselves within 2 points, but a difficult conversion to follow.

All the world's eyes were on Shotaro Onishi, as he lined up his conversion from the 5-metre line on the right hand side of the pitch. And almost all of them will have leapt to their feet as the centre slotted the kick with ease.

It was a fair result in truth, and though neither side can really be expected to celebrate a draw, try telling the Japanese!

It was a great way for the Asian giants to sign off their 2007 campaign, and with Canada unlikely to get a point against Australia, now look set to finish off the foot of the table, in a highly respectable 4^th with 3 points.

They'll be back in 4 years time, and will want to build on that, and the rugby World will look farward to the fluid, loose, attractive and most importantly brave style which they play with.

As for Canada, it's a massive shock. They had ambitions of qualifying from this group, and instead face the likely prospect of finishing rock bottom. They'll be bitterly disappointed with their final standings, and will be hurt by the loss of the majority of their current aging squad.

Scorers;

Japan (5) 12
Tries: Endo, Taira
Cons: Onishi

Canada (0) 12
Tries: Riordan, Van der Merwe
Cons: Pritchard

Japanese coach John Kirwan's thought's;
"I think today was like a World Cup final for both Japan and Canada and I think 40,000 people have probably gone away pretty happy. As far as execution went we were pretty average. I don't think we played particularly well, I felt we could have played a lot better. To come out with the draw is bitter sweet. But we showed a lot of courage continued right to the end."

Canadian coach Ric Suggitt;
"We have to look at ourselves and make sure we do enough to win games. We had opportunities in the second half to pull away and we didn't do it."

Canada captain Morgan Williams on the referee's time keeping;
"The ball went out in the 81st minute and then we played an extra three minutes after that. I don't know, was his watch broken, or was he blind?"

Canada;
Mike Pyke; DTH Van der Merwe, Craig Culpan, David Spicer, James Pritchard; Ryan Smith, Morgan Williams (capt); Rod Snow, Pat Riordan, Jon Thiel; Mike Burak, Mike James; Colin Yukes, Adam Kleeberger, Aaron Carpenter.

Mike Pletch, Dan Pletch, Scott Franklin, Josh Jackson, Mike Webb, Ed Fairhurst, Justin Mensah-Coker.

Japan;
Go Aruga, Kosuke Endo, Yuta Imamura, Shotaro Onishi, Christian Loamanu, Bryce Robins, Tomoki Yoshida; Tatsukichi Nishiura, Yuji Matsubara, Tomokazu Soma; Hitoshi Ono, Luke Thompson; Hare Makiri, Philip O'Reilly, Takuro Miuchi (capt).

Taku Inokuchi, Ryo Yamamura, Luatangi Samurai Vatuvei, Hajime Kiso, Chulwon Kim, Koji Taira, Hirotoki Onozawa.