‘We’re confident they can get through to the quarter-finals’: Japan feels weight of Asian rugby to deliver on grandest of stages

The success of rugby in Asia may rest on a Japanese squad who are in a tough group against Ireland and Scotland

Asia Rugby’s general manager Ross Mitchell said Hong Kong looks ready to break through to next level with solid high-performance structure in play

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Ross Mitchell, the general manager of Asia Rugby, is confident Japan will make it out of their pool. Photo: Edward Wong

Published: 5:36pm, 20 Sep 2019Updated: 5:56pm, 20 Sep 2019

Asia Rugby’s general manager Ross Mitchell isn’t shy about making predictions.

“We’re confident,” he said when asked about Japan’s chances of advancing out of pool A in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which also includes Ireland and Scotland, two teams ranked higher than them. “Back in the last World Cup [Japan] won three games, and they’re the only team ever to win three games and not go through.

“With the teams they’re playing, every single one of those teams can win on that day. Now, this is on their home ground in front of their home fans so we’re confident they are going to get through to the quarter-finals, at least.”

Japan will also play Russia and Samoa, games they should win, but a date with Scotland on Sunday, October 13, the last pool game of the tournament, will probably decide their fate. However, this is likely to set up a quarter-final match against one of the two heavyweights in pool B – New Zealand or South Africa.

Hong Kong national team members: Nick Hewson (retired), Tyler Spitz, Conor Hartley and 15s head coach Andrew Hall. Photo: Edward Wong

Mitchell said he is happy about one thing, after all the planning, calculating, theorising and strategising – the wait is over. He said hosting the first Rugby World Cup in a “non-traditional rugby environment” is something Japan and Asia Rugby can be extremely proud of.