The sport of rugby football did not have a world championships for a long time.
In 1987, Japan participated in the 1st Rugby World Cup competition but lost all its three matches. New Zealand, the host country, won the competition.
At the 2nd Rugby World Cup, held in England in 1991, Japan won its first ever World Cup match by defeating Zimbabwe. Japan was starved of further victories until its match against South Africa at the 8th Rugby World Cup of 2015 held in England.

Ancient rugby game was extremely primitive without any codified rules such as number of players or size and shape of the ball. It was rather martial arts than present rugby football. During the Stuart times in the 15th century, rugby football was prohibited, on the other hand, the rules changed with the times.

The New Zealand team that won the 1st Rugby World Cup competition
Mr. Kirk proudly holding the Ellis Cup high

Australia, the 2nd Rugby World Cup champions
The Ellis Cup was handed to the victors by Queen Elizabeth

1987
The 1st Rugby World Cup organized by Australia and New Zealand
Winners: New Zealand

The competition was held as an invitation tournament jointly hosted by the Australian and New Zealand Rugby Associations. Japan was eliminated in the first round.

Wales VS England

New Zealand VS Wales

Japan VS Australia

Australia VS France

1991
The 2nd Rugby World Cup organized by England, France, Wales, Scotland and Ireland
Winner: Australia

Japan had matches against Scotland, Ireland and Zimbabwe in the first round, pulling off its first ever Rugby World Cup victory against Zimbabwe.

Japan VS Scotland

Australia VS New Zealand

Japan VS Island

Scotland VS England

1995
The 3rd Rugby World Cup organized by South Africa
Winner: South Africa

South Africa won the cup in their home country. Japan had matches against New Zealand, Ireland and Wales but lost all three games.

South Africa VS France

Australia VS Canada

England VS Australia

Japan VS Ireland

1999
The 4th Rugby World Cup organized by Wales
Winners: Australia

The number of qualifying spots increased from 16 to 20. Japan had matches against Wales, Samoa and Argentina, losing all three games. Japan remained far from victory until its match against South Africa in the 8th Rugby World Cup.

Japan VS Argentine

Japan VS Wales

Japan VS Samoa

Japan VS Samoa

The History of Rugby

1987 - 1999

1987

The 1st Rugby World Cup
Winners: New Zealand

1991

The 2nd Rugby World Cup
Japan achieved its first win in a Rugby World Cup match by defeating Zimbabwe.

1992

Kintetsu Hanazono Rugby Stadium reopened on October 4 following its renovation.
Japan defeated Oxford University in a commemorative match by 42-27.

1995

The 32nd Japan Rugby Football Championship was held.
The Kobelco Steelers equalled Shin-nittetsu Kamaishi's record of seven consecutive championships.
The 3rd Rugby World Cup

1996

The First charity match held in Japan by the Barbarians, a traditional team consisting of the world's top players, who came in support Japan's recovery effort following the Kobe earthquake.

1999

The 4th Rugby World Cup was held.