Japan has been a fan favorite at the last two Rugby World Cups for its underdog victories over top-tier teams. Its win over the Springboks in 2015 has passed into lore (and a movie) as the Miracle of Brighton and its victories over Scotland and Ireland in 2019 caused jubilation in a World Cup hosted by Japan. At the same time, they come into the tournament on a run of poor form, having won only one of four tests this season and only four of 18 tests since hosting the last World Cup.
Naikabula scores in Japan s warm-up defeat fijilive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijilive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fiji-born former Japan 7s winger Jone Naikabula and Semisi Masirewa scored a try each in the Brave Blossoms' 21-16 win over Tonga in the second Round of the
Japan returned to the victory trail when they clinched a hard-fought 21-16 triumph over Tonga in their Pacific Nations Cup encounter in Higashiosaka on Saturday.
Samoa rock Japan 24-22 as captain Leitch red carded pina.com.fj - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pina.com.fj Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.