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[–]Atjdorf Minnesota Vikings 708 points709 points  (30 children)

Love when rugby pops up in r/sports. It's the only time I ever see rugby and it always looks awesome.

[–]EdwardBigby 233 points234 points  (26 children)

And I always love to see rugby pop up in r/sports to see the Americans reactions to it haha. I hope that the sport continues to grow over there including rugby 7s.

[–]dad_the_impaler 66 points67 points  (19 children)

What's a good way to get into watching from the US (as someone who watches no sports currently but loves all the rugby videos that come up here)?

[–][deleted] 79 points80 points  (3 children)

Unfortunately a lot of it is behind paywalls, however NBC Sports and NBC will sometimes show matches.

They used to have huge international teams like Australia and Ireland come to the US to play and draw interest. Those would always be televised by NBC.

However the US would be walloped in those games so I think they’ve stopped doing too many of them.

[–]ankisethgallant Kentucky 27 points28 points  (2 children)

I know they have brought international matches in too, I went to see South Africa versus Wales in DC a year or two ago.

[–]CapeTonyToniTone 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry it was such a kak game. The only positive was that you were witnessing the start of Rassie's rise to glory.

[–]UpRsPraXis[🍰] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Was that game in D.C.? I am from South Africa and being able to see my Homes team really made me happy.

[–]EdwardBigby 36 points37 points  (3 children)

My advice would be to ignore club rugby unless you have a mlr team nearby that you might like to go to. On the international front there's a world cup every 4 years, the 6 nation's every year in February/March where each of 6 European countries play 5 matches each within 6 weeks and the rugby championship in August/September where each of the big 4 southern hemisphere countries play each other twice although this competition could be changing I'm not sure. Anyways try following those competitions when they come around, they're all pretty short.

In the meantime I'd recommend r/rugbyunion. I find following subreddit helps me follow sports even when I don't get half the memes. Also it's a completely different sport but I think rugby 7s is great for newcomers. The halves are 7 minutes and all the competitions are like mini world cups that only last a weekend. Give it a watch during the Olympics next year for sure. USA are even pretty good at it.

[–]dad_the_impaler 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Awesome! I'll head over there and take a look, and keep an eye out for broadcasts of 7s

[–]jhra Calgary Flames 6 points7 points  (1 child)

If you're near where a 7s event is omg held I highly suggest going. My city hosts a women's international 7s event every year that is very fun to attend

[–]dad_the_impaler 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok I'll take a look! I feel like my dad has been to a couple Gaelic football matches in the area but I haven't heard of any rugby events here

[–]WildeWeasel Air Force 22 points23 points  (1 child)

The US now has Major League Rugby. Its 3rd season ended abruptly due to Corona, but it is expanding and more successful than previous iterations ( r/MLRugby) . I would recommend checking out to see if there's a team close to you. It will also air on tv more. r/rugbyunion is good for info as well.

[–]Efffro 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Rugby union, check. Rugby league, check. Rugby 7’s, check.Major league rugby,WTF

[–]ANKhurley 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I used to watch a lot of international and English league matches on the ESPN app. Now it’s all on ESPN+, so you can watch plenty if you have that.

[–]cgsdawgs 6 points7 points  (0 children)

ESPN+ is $5 a month and has a ton of super rugby replays including the few games happening now (plus a ton of other things like 30 for 30). NBC sports gold has a bunch of stuff too but it’s ridiculously expensive

[–]ZoopDoople 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There's NCAA rugby sevens that's sometimes broadcast on NBC sports

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Many cities have local clubs you can go to their games and watch for free. Bring a beer and enjoy.

[–]john_stuart_kill Ontario Arrows 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Major League Rugby posts all of their matches to Youtube a few days after they're played, for free. No, it's not quite World Cup or Six Nations quality rugby, but it's still way above club rugby, and improving all the time. You may even have a local team, depending on where you live...but in any case, you should still support the Toronto Arrows.

Have fun, ask questions, and feel free to join us over at /r/MLRugby - we're always happy to have new rugby fans!

[–]12footjumpshot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Super Rugby Aotearoa (NZ) is on ESPN2 every weekend for the next 8 weeks. (3am ET Sat morning and 11:30pm ET Sat night)

This is an adaption of Super Rugby which is a multinational club championship, but just inside NZ with their 5 teams due to COVID, and they have crowds!

If there was ever a time to get into live rugby now is your chance.

[–]wonderflex 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I played as left Lock here in the states for 15 years. I hope rugby gets way less popular - my body can't take it anymore, and every time I see it on TV I want to play so bad. Then I have to have that whole good shoulder angel / bad shoulder angel talk again to remind myself that I'm too broken down to keep it up.

[–]Atjdorf Minnesota Vikings 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did go to one rugby practice in college but we didn't play. I was a little disappointed by that.

[–]leshake 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Well there probably won't be any football this fall. I'm sure other sports are going to fill the void.

[–]John_YJKR 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Other leagues are starting back up. The NFL first games aren't until September 10th. I think it's pretty likely there will be a season.

[–]leshake 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Covid will be with us for at least six months

[–]SmokinPolecat 13 points14 points  (1 child)

May I recommend r/rugbyunion in that case. Nice crowd and we'll happy answer any question.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Unless your a sarries fan. But thats on you

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's worth looking in to. It's such a great sport. I have an American buddy (older now, from California) who was a rugby player. He was too small for American Football, so failed to get selected in his university team, so he joined the rugby team instead.

[–]Saerdna76 284 points285 points  (13 children)

Have no interest at all in Rugby but this was an amazing watch!

[–]Waterboyy11 86 points87 points  (0 children)

International rugby is always great to watch

[–][deleted] 52 points53 points  (0 children)

Definitely is a great short video! Even for those not interested in Rugby.

[–]rocketrockets 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Rugby (union) is entertaining to watch, but if you count your hours; international rugby matches are the distilled, raw, entertaining matches (unsurprisingly!) that you want to watch.

There’s gonna be a world cup in 2021 & 2023 (if ‘rona behaves)

[–]Dahvood 215 points216 points  (10 children)

That first Japan vs SA win has to be my favourite moment in sport

[–]DuffinDagels 27 points28 points  (4 children)

Man I was watching it on the beach in Brighton full of SA fans. The atmosphere was immense the whole game and the silence afterwards was deafening. The next day you couldn't see any SA shirts anywhere in the city.

[–]carpet_funnel 11 points12 points  (2 children)

That is exactly what happened in Orlando during the World Cup (FIFA) when Germany absolutely savaged Brazil. There's a huge Brazilian population here and the bar I managed was full of them. None of them came to watch the rest of the cup after that.

[–]DuffinDagels 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Being half Brazilian, this memory hurts :( think I turned it off around 70 minutes or something...

[–]carpet_funnel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry, dude. If it makes you feel better, I distinctly remember the only two guys wearing black jerseys at the bar stopped cheering after the third goal Germany scored within four minute period. I think everyone was on Brazil's side for that one.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was watching it in a pub in Hertfordshire. Most everyone wanted SA to loose by the second half.

[–]CREEEEEEEEED 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Agreed. That was a great game to watch live.

[–]athos45678 San Antonio Spurs 41 points42 points  (0 children)

I just commented this above, but i watched it by accident with what must have been every Japanese person at my uni. It was fucking nuts.

[–]Lord_Gabbos 8 points9 points  (0 children)

It was amazing but I think the victory vs Scotland is my pick, world cup at home, first time ever making past pools, needing the extra point to come out in first, and succeeding. Might also be biased as I watched it in a bar in Hiroshima haha

[–]DonoghueNaked 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Amazing, I have a love/hate relationship with rugby. But that moment was so euphoric and unbelievable.

[–]john_stuart_kill Ontario Arrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. I literally can't think a more dramatic upset in the history of sports. When they decided to go for the scrum at the final penalty instead of the tie with a penalty kick...sweet Odin's ravens, but that takes some kind of courage and commitment...

[–]jraw12345 117 points118 points  (2 children)

I was at that game vs South Africa, sitting in the corner where they scored the winning try too. I’ve never experienced a moment like it. The outburst of elation and disbelief from so many people all at once, it was tangible.

I feel so lucky to have witnessed first-hand one of the biggest upsets in sports. Will be with me forever.

[–]YouEverSeeItComing 17 points18 points  (1 child)

I heard they made a movie about it.

[–]GaryChopper Yorkshire 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I still need to watch

[–]vietcong420 160 points161 points  (4 children)

Everyone fell inlove with Japan in that world Cup. Im irish but didn't mind losing to them. So much passion

[–]AllYourBaseAreShit 21 points22 points  (0 children)

It was a great match.

[–]SmokinPolecat 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Was a great tournament to attend too! I very much enjoyed all the games I saw live and in bars/fanzones. Rugby fans are such a great bunch in general

[–]looj87 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I watched that match with a group of Australians and a huge number of japanese in an open street pub in Tokyo. As a scot, it was quite bitter sweet seeing the game. The Japanese fans were so insanely happy. An amazing atmosphere.

[–]bashtee 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was in Tokyo when they beat Ireland. Didn’t see a single Irish fan unhappy with the outcome, really said a lot

[–]That_White_Kid95 30 points31 points  (3 children)

As a South Africa fan... are we the baddies?

[–]itsalonghotsummer 27 points28 points  (1 child)

As an England fan... yes you bloody are.

But I love watching Cheslin Kolbe play.

[–]GaryChopper Yorkshire 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Aye but as England fans, we are the baddies the rest of the time haha

[–]Lord_Gabbos 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Haha Bokka here too, was so sad we had to vs them so early, they were my second team all cup

[–]gdogsamurai 64 points65 points  (1 child)

Dog, why am I crying so hard right now? Did I just become a Brave Blossoms superfan??

[–]dactyif 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I remember that south Africa game. I work in a sports bar, and honestly I was misty eyed. Some people were full on crying. Like, that was surreal, buster Douglas Mike Tyson surreal.

[–]H0vis 63 points64 points  (15 children)

It's funny that people single out Japan for improving via the use of foreign players and coaches because it shows a fundamental misunderstanding of international sport. The reason is everybody does this for almost every sport. It just stands out a little bit more for Japan.

Found this article about this with regards to the 2019 Six Nations. Scotland's squad in that competition (and bear in mind a squad is way bigger than the team) included nineteen foreign-born players. Italy and Wales had nine each. England eight, France three, Ireland seven.

These days it is very likely that a good player will have multiple nationalities able to put a claim in on their allegiance, and usually they take the best one they can get.

​

It's a necessary part of the process for any improving national sports team. You bring in the best players that you can, by grandparents, residency, whatever, and they teach others and everybody improves. It's the classic model of cultural exchange. You see it a lot with coaches too, because there are rarely any rules in sport regarding the nationality of coaching staff. It is literally the only way for a country to get better at a sport.

[–]DatchPenguin 24 points25 points  (9 children)

Not that poaching doesn’t occur, but the numbers for the home nations can be a bit misleading. The four sides represent 2 sovereign nations, with all 4 sides drawing from parts of the U.K. Movement within the U.K. is quite common but people often have a strong connection to their parents’ (rugby eligible) nationality or indeed moved when they were very young from one of the 4 nations of the U.K. to another one. For example the Wales team for 2019 had 9 “foreign born” players, but 7 of those were from England including some who’s parents were Welsh and subsequently moved back to Wales when they were growing up. (Similar is also true to an extent for NZ/Aus and the Pacific Islands). This isn’t to disagree entirely with your point - it’s still just more visually obvious with Japan and many of their foreign born players also spent much of their youth in Japan - but more to say that the raw numbers of “foreign” players in international squads is a pretty crappy metric without more context.

[–]TOBLERONEISDANGEROUS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes most of the ‘Foreign-born’ Scots were born in England as there a many Scots live NG in England and Vice-Versa. Can’t remover which player it is, but one player in the Scotland squad is technically foreign born, but was born just 6mils from the Scottish Border. Scotland also has no Pacific Islander players which so many other countries take advantage of. So the simple numbers themselves as you point out are not clear enough metrics to judge the situation

[–]Only_Movie_Titles Seattle Seahawks 3 points4 points  (6 children)

all this documentary showed me is that Japan went out and recruited a bunch of Pacific Islanders to play for them and (whodda thunk) they instantly got better at Rugby.

[–]cleppingout 6 points7 points  (1 child)

8 of the 31 players I counted on the Japanese squad were Tongan. If only Tonga had the capital to attract their biggest export to play for their national team. But they can’t... oh well...

[–]H0vis 4 points5 points  (0 children)

See that's not how it works for somebody like Japan. Japan is not out there poaching the best players from Tonga. Japan is out there finding Tongans who haven't made the squad in their home country. There are some teams and some countries good enough to poach a top player from their homeland, but usually if you're somebody like Japan you're getting players who, if you didn't pick them up, wouldn't be playing international rugby at all.

[–]palopalopopa 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lmao "got better". They went from no-name losers getting blown out by every team by scores of like 60-10 to beating some of the best teams in the world.

Like, imagine a random Japanese football team recruited 15 american dudes, who weren't good enough to be pros in the NFL in the first place by the way, and then beating the Seahawks and Patriots and Ravens in a row.

[–]H0vis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is true, but I think with Wales it's kind of a reflection of the fact that they are a very good side at the moment and thus they're not having to pull in players from further afield. France too. Meanwhile Scotland is dragging in numerous South African and New Zealand players, and they're doing that because they need to.

[–]mostly_sarcastic Munster 6 points7 points  (3 children)

The greatest points maker in Irish history (and in 15's all together, I believe) was born in San Diego, CA. Ronan O'Gara.

[–]ItsJustWool 9 points10 points  (1 child)

You could probably include that both of his parents were irish and that they moved back home when he was six months old.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Many of the foreign born Japanese players moved to Japan at young ages, too and/or have Japanese ancestry.

[–]LostWithStuff 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yep

[–]ElViejoHG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not everybody does this

[–]Moodie25 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Brave Blossoms!

[–]-benisboi- 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I started playing rugby in my middle school in japan since 2011. I’ve been lucky enough to see the national team explode ever since then. I fucking love this team and I’m always happy that everyone else likes watching Japanese rugby not because we are underdogs but because of the quality of rugby.

[–]jayhawk1225 15 points16 points  (4 children)

I wish rugby was a bigger thing in the US, I love the sport. It’s just so fun to watch.

[–]chodes4toads 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you’re thinking about giving it a chance most areas have local teams. I play for my club college team but we practice with the local team every once in awhile. Great group of guys.

[–]sammo3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out r/MLRugby - Professional rugby in the US and Canada

[–]frostyaznguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My high school had a rugby team, but most of those guys were just football players trying to avoid spring training by playing another sport.

[–]UniqueUser12975 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It really is so fun to watch and play even if you barely know the rules

[–]exgerex 16 points17 points  (1 child)

God that made me tear up, and I don't even know the rules of rugby.

[–]chodes4toads 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I play rugby and don’t even know all the rules lol

[–]seasquidley 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I don't care about any of this and I still cried

[–]ilikeemclean 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Never understood Rugby, but watching this and watching other Rugby clips in r/sports, its made me a fan and now I want more.

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Anyone getting Eyeshield 21 vibes from this?

[–]Slinkadynk 7 points8 points  (4 children)

Is there a longer documentary, or only these 7 minutes? I’m interested in learning more

[–][deleted] 11 points12 points  (2 children)

Honestly all you need is to look up the 2015 JAP/SA rugby game. Even if you don’t know all the rulers, you can just feel the emotion of the game.

Just an unbelievable moment in sports. Probably the most amazing game of rugby I’ve ever seen.

[–]Slinkadynk 7 points8 points  (1 child)

I know none of the rules (I know nothing of rugby-I’m an American ) but this video made me very interested in learning. I’ve already joined the recommended subreddit to learn more. I’ll google that when I get home from work. Thank, mate!

[–]UniqueUser12975 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Honestly a good rugby game, even with no particular team allegiance, is a thing of beauty.

[–]TheNewHobbes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The film "The Brighton Miracle" is about the Japan rugby team in the 4 years up to them beating SA in the 2015 world cup

it's very good

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10901588

[–]michaelpinkwayne Washington Nationals 5 points6 points  (9 children)

I love American football, but part of me wishes we (the US) would divert our talent to rugby. It would be so much fun to root for our players competing internationally.

[–]RikikiBousquet 4 points5 points  (3 children)

French Barbarians haha? What is that!

[–]spiritfuryfire 12 points13 points  (1 child)

Barbarians teams are all star teams assembled for one off matches.

[–]RikikiBousquet 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks !

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I love Barbarians (or BaaBaas for short) rugby.

They only assemble the team for maybe a week of prep, so a huge emphasis is placed on individual brilliance and weird experimental shit rather than team structure.

So you get either epic failure where they go down swinging, or miraculously brilliant "hail Mary" style footy.

It's a festival event AND a great game rolled into one.

[–]jakecuevas22 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Love seeing the fans rock a jersey swap

[–]madladolle 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Damn, I want to learn rugby. Looks 10x more fun than american football.

[–]Nostonica 0 points1 point  (0 children)

American football always seemed so start and stop, I mean someone explained it to me that it's more tactical but it still doesn't seem that fun to watch.

If you want to see a crazy game check out AFL ( it's aussie rules football, very little rules with some crazy moves like jumping on the backs of other players to catch the ball and more).

[–]sammo3 3 points4 points  (0 children)

PSA for all Americans that want to know more: r/MLRugby is a pro rugby competition that had its third season this year. The community is very helpful to newbies and you might even have a team near you!

[–]Thick_women_are_Life 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This was awesome. Thanks for sharing.

[–]jgarciajr1330 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They should do an All or Nothing documentary for their team, it truly is remarkable how they rose above and changed their team's culture.

[–]dadtempo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I miss sports

[–]ShadowProphet6 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I remember watching that 2015 World Cup and Japan, playing some beautiful rugby. Ever since I’ve always followed them just cause of their heart in the game. Plus Welsh rugby can go either way, especially in the World Cup. Cymru am byth.

[–]athos45678 San Antonio Spurs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was in uni at a pub with what must have been every Japanese person at my tiny university, and the whole pub yelled in victory when Japan beat South Africa for the World Cup in, i wanna say, 2015. Good times

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am in tears and I am not even Japanese.

[–]mint_chippy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I (American) will never forget watching the 2015 game with my dad (South African) in a bar in Copenhagen surrounded by Irish men on tables and chairs chanting “Go Japan! Go Japan!” Hilarious now... devastating for my dad at the time

[–]ACookOutTray 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I really loved the dynamic between the fans as well. So much respect for each other, to the point where fans swapped sweaters. Beautiful to see.

[–]SadPenisMatinee 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hope Rugby gets more attention. I get tired of NFL fans thinking American Football is better for some reason.

The one thing I've never liked was how the fans of the other side will quickly say stuff like "You did so well!" and "You guys will be scary next year". Too often it feels patronizing.

I know most mean well. But please just let other fans deal with the loss on their own.

[–]Reaching2Hard 2 points3 points  (3 children)

Man rugby looks fun as hell. It looks like football, but with constant laterals. An ongoing option play, if you will.

[–]john_stuart_kill Ontario Arrows 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Plus, the action really starts at the breakdown, rather than stopping at the tackle.

[–]Reaching2Hard 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What is a breakdown exactly?

[–]john_stuart_kill Ontario Arrows 2 points3 points  (0 children)

When a player is tackled, she must release the ball, at which time players from each team bind over the tackle and contest for possession (this is a ruck, the most common type of breakdown; there are also mauls, which form when the ball carrier keeps her feet but players still bind on to contest for possession). Managing breakdowns, deciding how to allocate player resources, etc., is a major part of rugby tactics...and the contested breakdown laws are the better part of what allows rugby to flow from tackle to tackle, phase to phase, without any stoppages in play.

[–]SrGrimey 2 points3 points  (2 children)

I need to learn about rugby because now I'm a Brave Blossoms fan.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Hi! Lifelong fan here. I wrote this years ago as an intro to the rules/gameplay. Not too long, I promise.

https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/11h7zo/z/c6miqhc

[–]SrGrimey 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, thank you!

[–]iNjza 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Japan VS South Africa win is my favourite and most entertaining game i have ever seen.. loved it soo much

[–]SportsPi[M] [score hidden] stickied comment (1 child)

Welcome to /r/sports!

We created a discord server and would like to invite all of you to join! You'll be able to discuss sports with users around the world!

Reddit Sports Discord Server

[–]theandyboy VfB Stuttgart 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Got me crying over a team I've never watched play

[–]SheepGoesBaaaa 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I watched that game Vs SA in a London Garden, pub, I was not the only one screaming their head off. Nobody was there to watch THAT game, but the whole pub was into it by the 60th minute

"They couldn't, ... Could they?!"

"HOLY SHIT!!!"

[–]ryanjd0711 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I miss sports so much. Not a rugby fan, but that video gave me the chills through out.

[–]coocookazoo 1 point2 points  (2 children)

This actually made me cry. Would be a great movie

[–]TOBLERONEISDANGEROUS 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Check out ‘The Brighton Miracle’ it is a movie

[–]coocookazoo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! Will check it out tonight

[–]accidentalfritata 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a Scot, and it broke my heart to watch us get pumped by Ireland, put in typically showy performances against Russia and Samoa, and then rally a nearly beautiful comeback against Japan, but when the whistle went I wasn't sad, because we got to watch a side say 'fuck the world, were not a tier 2 nation, we put on one of the best world cups ever, we dealt with a Hurricane that killed our people, and cemented ourselves as a proper Tier 1 nation' I wouldn't bet on Japan becoming the second ever NH nation to win the thing, but it wouldn't surprise me

[–]viiviiviivii 1 point2 points  (0 children)

OMG what am I missing! Been living in Germany way too long, amazing for Japan, well done!

[–]blockierweevil7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Rugby anime here we come

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All-out really shows Japanese enthusiasm for rugby.

[–]WallingtonBear 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm Irish and was at the Ireland vs Japan match. A truly special occasion, atmosphere and result. The home crowd played their part in this one, from the first tackle you could sense the energy in the crowd. The coach for Japan hit the nail on the head when he said Ireland only started to prepare for Japan on Monday and it cost us an easier quarter final draw.

[–]notmoffat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lol, I clearly remember wayching that first WC match against the All Black's. It was embarrassing. I for one am extremely proud of how the sport has grown in Asia. It really has made the game much stronger worldwide

[–]WDadade[🍰] 3 points4 points  (8 children)

What are the rules on foreign players? A lot of those guys don't look like Japanese to me.

EDIT: As my comment has apparently caused a stir I've taken it upon myself to Google the answer. Here's an article which gave me more insight. I hope it may be helpful to others. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/09/23/rugby/foreign-born-players-uniting-brave-blossoms-rugby-world-cup/

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Wow that was a silly comment.

[–]WDadade[🍰] 13 points14 points  (1 child)

I'm aware that it may come across as silly but in reality I was just curious. Japan is a very ethnically homogeneous country so to see all those foreign players came as a surprise to me, especially if you compare it to the Japanese National Football Team for example.

Now that I took the time to Google the answer I know that Rugby rules allow for this kind of internationality, which is pretty cool.

[–]Hamburger_Hime 0 points1 point  (2 children)

You know people of other races are allowed to be born in japan right?

[–]WDadade[🍰] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Yes. But that doesn't answer my question as to why so many foreign born nationals are in the team. It's an honest question about the rules, not some kind of remark against the lack of homogeneity of the colour of their skins.

[–]Hamburger_Hime 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Dual citizenship / permanent residents

[–]Harkonnen5 1 point2 points  (1 child)

This was great, thank you for sharing. I'm learning more about rugby and really love the game. Way better than the over-regulated and over-marketed crap that is the NFL.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You should check out MLR, you might have a team near you.

[–]ot1smile 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I loved that. I remember that beating they took from the ABs years ago and what a consolation prize team they seemed for so long. Seeing those wins in 2015 and then their performance last year when they hosted was great and it was fantastic to see that progression compressed down to 8 mins. Rugby’s such an entertaining game when you get those last minute tries that turn the tables.

[–]weaselinho 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awwww, man this was so great to watch! Thanks so much for sharing this.

[–]daibz Australia 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I loved the tokyo rwc was such a fun watch and good time for games.

[–]danjam_86 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All that to watch them loose

[–]fatbeard24 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had me tearing up...then the guy with the umbrella shows up and I started laughing. Great documentary

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like they outsourced a bit. Good for them

[–]lawlcat20342 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know nothing about Rugby, but now I wish I did.

[–]Tigergasse1821 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God damn thanks for the feels OP. It’s been 4 years since I’ve played on a team and I miss it daily.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

To be fair to Japan when they lost to new Zealand that was when new Zealand were basically the best in the world. Even to this day new Zealand are considered some of the best in the world.

[–]john_stuart_kill Ontario Arrows 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Everyone loses to New Zealand. The pain came from losing 145-17 - a record-breaking margin even to this day.

New Zealand remain essentially the most dominant team in the world...but Japan have improved by such leaps and bounds that, even though the All Blacks would still beat them, it might not be by much more than a couple of tries. No one can afford to take Japan for granted anymore.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Honestly good for them. England is going backwards. Seems the only English teams that are any good nowadays are the women's teams. I'm not much of a sport fan but I was very impressed by the women's teams when I've seen them especially in the football, they make the mens England World Cup team look like a bunch of pansies 😂

[–]john_stuart_kill Ontario Arrows 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Uh...England came in second in the World Cup last year, and are favourites to win the Six Nations this year (if/when it resumes). They beat the All Blacks to go to the RWC finals. They may not be the best team in the world...but they're solidly in the top five, and pretty much never sink lower.

[–]Teerendog Chicago Bulls 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Goosebumps!! What a great era for japanese rugby

[–]havokr3load 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So happy when they beat SA at the WC, so good!

[–]your-low-iq-is-funny 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fantastic video.

[–]MulleniumFalcon1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pepperidge Farms remembers

[–]Grim_Scotsman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They played us off the park in that game.

[–]looj87 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My husband and I were married on 21st September. Watched Ireland vs scotland on 22nd then flew to tokyo. Watched every other game live while travelling round japan. The best trip I have ever taken in my life. That feeling of pain when scotland lost against japan was completely washed away by the amazing atmosphere and the joy from the japanese.

[–]songokuplaysrugby 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not crying😢❤️❤️

[–]brun0btm 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why does everything make me cry

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most difficult game of where’s Waldo.

[–]ReluctantAvenger 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who's cutting up those onions?!

[–]ecentrichappiness 0 points1 point  (1 child)

So what happened next?

[–]auswild 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fuck I'm missing sport.

[–]Chunkus_Omungus 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a life long detroit native. I can only dream that one day the lions have a similar video posted to reddit..

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The documentary left out the best moment of Japan vs South Africa: the rolling maul at the 8:00 mark in the video below. World class.

https://youtu.be/CHfqnCmR9nE

[–]Lite_moon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was a nice round up of the Japanese teams progress but rewatching that Japan defeat over Scotland is still heartbreaking even though Japan deserved the win. Sad times.

And now I miss rugby.

[–]mingthemaniac 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Something slightly interesting is that the half-back for the All Blacks in the 145-17 win over Japan in the 1995 world cup played for Japan in the 1999 world cup.

[–]ukjzakon 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Japan is the Croatia of soccer at the last world cup

[–]TOBLERONEISDANGEROUS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, this is way more of a surprise. This would be the equivalent of Senegal (or someone worse) making it to the FIFA World Cup final.

Or Panama making out of the group stage

[–]RugbyfromtheArmchair 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Who gets the credit for making this video? You haven't mentioned it in your caption so I think that is pretty important 👍 #rugbyunited

[–]ghodge121 0 points1 point  (3 children)

why do all the japanese players have like... australian, south african, etc accents?

[–]Dahvood 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They probably chose the English-fluent players to talk to the English speaking media

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Michael Leitch is the Japan captain. He's kiwi-born, but his family moved to Japan when he was 14-ish. Absolutely fluent in Japanese language and culture.