The View from Japan: The Minnows

We get the ball rolling on our in-depth coverage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup with a look at the teams who have traditionally been the whipping boys of the competition. The gap between the giants of the game and these lesser fancied nations has closed significantly over the years. Since the game turned professional in 1995, the opportunities for players from fringe nations to gain high-level experience has grown. Could this be the year that one of these minnows knocks a perennial giant down a peg or two?

The Eagles of the United States of America have a fledgling professional league. They boast a very strong Seven’s team but don’t seem able to put in a strong 80 minutes against quality opposition. One may be surprised to hear that the US won Olympic Gold in 1920 and 1924, but sadly the administrators never built on that success. Drawn in the most difficult pool in the tournament, they have massive tests against England, France and Argentina. A win in their final game against Tonga will be non-negotiable. Run the big boys close, plus the prerequisite win against Tonga, and they may just consider this a success.

The USA’s northern neighbours, Canada, have less history but more World Cup success. Canada played its first ever international against Japan in 1932 and have achieved seven wins and two draws in seven World Cup tournaments. While their expectations against powerhouses New Zealand and South Africa may be low, their other Pool A opponents, Namibia and Italy, could be opportunities to add to their overall win column.

Representing Europe in this segment we have another set of neighbours, Mother Russia and the former Soviet territory, Georgia. The history of these nations sadly put the game on the back foot. Russia will only be participating for the second time but Georgia is already on the radar. The Georgians are fast making an impression with their physical forwards and adventurous attacking. This will be their their fifth outing at the World Cup and with four wins out of 16 previous World Cup games, they are not to be taken lightly. Pool D matches against Wales and Australia may prove too tough but Fiji and Uruguay will need to be at their best to get past the rugged Georgians.

Having amassed an incredible zero wins from 19 matches, Namibia will again be playing for pride. They have conceded a total of 1 148 points at an average of 60 points per game, but one still needs to applaud them for their courage, determination and perseverance. This ‘never say die’ attitude is what playing for your country, especially at a World Cup, is all about.

The multi-island archipelago of Tonga is the second team in this segment to have played in all the previous World Cups. They have a record comparable to the Canadians, with seven wins but unlike the Canucks, have never progressed out of the group stage. Considering though that the combined surface area of Tonga is 24 times less than that of Gauteng it is a remarkable achievement. Scheduled in a very tough pool, the aforementioned game against the USA will be their main focus.

Last but not least are the fabled Los Teros. Fabled not so much for rugby excellence but more for the tragic plane crash that would eventually claim the lives of 29 players, coaches and staff of the 1971 Uruguayan rugby team. Their plane crashed on 13 October 1971 and on 13 October 2019 – the 48th anniversary of the crash – the team will play Wales in what will be an emotional tribute to their fallen compatriots. The crash was the focus of the 1993 film Alive but the opportunity for these warriors to represent their country on that special day eclipses any Hollywood script.

That concludes our first look at the teams for the Rugby World Cup 2019 competition. Tomorrow, we will look at the teams that are exciting to watch but may just be a little short on what it takes to go all the way. Follow us throughout the World Cup as we look to give you the best daily coverage from the Land of the Rising Sun.