Rugby - Japan to Go Home Proudly with 3 Victories Despite the Elimination

The Japanese rugby national team has not been qualified for the second stage despite winning 3 matches out of 4 in the first group stage on the 2015 Rugby World Cup. However, the Brave Blossoms have made a history and can be proud of the result.

There was a press conference in the morning after the last match of the competition in England. Head coach Edi Jones has praised his players and said "We have proved that Japanese can play rugby, we are physically small but overcame that issue."
In this competition, Japan national team has won against one of the best countries, Republic of South Africa final score of 34 - 32 with last minute dramatic turning over.

The Brave Blossoms lost the second game against Scotland but won against Samoa and then against U.S.A to end the competition win 3 wins and 1 lost.

The head coach Edi has spoken to the reporters "All of my players were performing very well. They have worked hard and they played with a real spirit. It is very important that we manage to prove that small guys can play the game ans win the game. I am very happy that we managed to become the special ones in this world cup. Japanese national team should always have the style which suit to the strength of physique, ability and characteristic of players. All Japanese can be proud of the style and I want Japanese players to keep working on it to improve even more."

Edi is leaving Japan after this competition but when he was asked about the possibility of Japanese team in 2019 World Cup which will be held in Japan, he answered and advised "It is extremely difficult to become best 8 or farther. But it is not impossible. In order to achieve that, Japanese must keep looking for the way to overcome the difference in physical strength and power."

Japanese team captain, Michael Leitch told reporters "Even though we could not qualify for the next round, we are able to fly back to Japan with victories. We will keep on working hard so that many people who watched the game will keep supporting us." He is very proud of the team and for the leaving head coach, "He has been working so hard with blood and tears for the team.  He brought passion into Japanese rugby for the last 4 years. I would like to thank him so much from the bottom of my heart."

The Brave Blossoms left the United Kingdom in the afternoon on Wednesday.