Two sides meet with only one quarter final spot up for grabs.
Great link-up play and a miracle try from Inagaki made the difference - with the world watching, Japan showed the quality and depth in their squad.
With one slot remaining in the quarter finals, this was to be a meeting with destiny. The disruption caused by Typhoon Hagibis meant that the game was only confirmed as playable on the morning of the matchday.
Fly-half Tamura got the match underway and right from the kick-off Japan played a pressing game.
Even when Russell broke through to open the scoring for Scotland, the Japanese maintained their positive approach to the match, with Matsushima scoring a try that was converted to tie the scores 7-7. With the crowd now roaring, the Japanese team displayed some creative link-up play with Horie, Moore and Tupou combining to send prop Inagaki over for a memorable try as Japan took the lead. Japan continued to control possession until the first half ended with the Brave Blossoms leading 21-7.
The intensity of the first half was carried over into the restart, when just two minutes into the second half winger Fukuoka broke through and ran 50 meters unopposed to record his side’s fourth try and secure another bonus point for Japan. Scotland – who had qualified for the knockout stages in all but one of the previous eight tournaments – began to draw on their reserves, scoring in the 9th and 14th minutes of the second half to reduce the deficit to 7 points. The Japanese side held their nerve, showing determination in attack and defense to close out the match and book their place in the quarter finals. The Scottish coach acknowledged the defeat, and what came to be called “Japanese rugby” – the way the Brave Blossoms had played as a team – was singled out as a key contributor to the victory of the host nation.
FW (Forwards)
PR (Props)
Jersey Numbers 1 and 3
Props are at the front of the scrum – the intense competition to win the ball involving all eight forwards in a rugby team – and they generally are the heaviest, most solidly-built members of a squad. They require strong neck and shoulder muscles in order to compete with their opposite numbers in the scrum.
HO (Hooker)
Jersey Number 2
Typically, hookers are built like props, as they stand on the front line of the scrum between two props. Their job in the scrum is to hook the ball back with their feet as it is fed in by the scrum-half. At the line-out it is often a hooker that throws the ball back into play.
LO (Locks)
Jersey Numbers 4 and 5
In the scrum, the locks set up directly behind the three front row forwards (the two props and the hooker) and use their power to push against the opposition. Locks are typically tall, which is an advantage when competing for the ball at the line-out.
FL (Flankers)
Jersey Numbers 6 and 7
Flankers push in from the left and right sides of the scrum. They are usually involved with handling or competing for the ball, so they are expected to be strong in the tackle as well as quick and agile on their feet.
Number Eight
Jersey Number 8
The last member of the scrum, the number eight controls the forwards from the rear of the pack. Often called upon to attack and defend, a number eight needs power and quick feet to be effective.
BK (Backs)
SH (Scrum-Half)
Jersey Number 9
The scrum-half feeds the ball into the scrum. Their main role is to be the linchpin connecting forward and back play. A good scrum-half will be quick-witted and dexterous when it comes to making passes as well as being able to make decisions as the game situation evolves. The scrum-half is often the smallest player on the field in terms of stature.
SO/FH (Stand-Off/Fly-Half)
Jersey Number 10
The fly-half controls the backs. Receiving the ball from the scrum-half, the fly-half can decide to pass or kick the ball, or even make a break themselves. They are a key player in any offensive play and are often seen as a tactical leader on the field.
WTB (Wingers)
Jersey Numbers 11 and 14
Wingers typically race down channels on both edges of the pitch and are known for scoring tries. Wingers need to be fast as well as possessing rapid acceleration.
CTB (Centers)
Jersey Numbers 12 and 13
In an attacking situation, the centers would be looking to receive the ball and then make a pass to one of the wingers, or to break through themselves if they can see a hole in the defensive formation. When the team is defending, the centers will be called upon to make a lot of tackles, so they need to be strong and dynamic.
FB (Full-Back)
Jersey Number 15
The full-back is the most deeply positioned player in the team – the last line of defense. They observe the formations and patterns of the opposing team and control the backline from the rear. A good full-back needs to be solid in the tackle as well as having a strong boot when it comes to kicking the ball into opposition territory.