'Brave Blossoms' prove Japan deserves World Cup: ambassador

'Brave Blossoms' prove Japan deserves World Cup: ambassador

LONDON - Eddie Jones and his Japan rugby team's exploits at the World Cup have proved the country will be worthy hosts of the showpiece event in 2019, Japan's ambassador to Britain, Keiichi Hayashi, said Friday.

Japan's players celebrate after winning a Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between Samoa and Japan at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, north of London, on October 3, 2015

The envoy said he had been left virtually speechless after the 'Brave Blossoms' beat two time world champions South Africa 34-32 in the greatest upset in World Cup history.

They have since beaten Samoa and will go for a three win against United States on Sunday.

The Japanese -- who had only won one World Cup match before this year, against Zimbawe 24 years ago -- could reach the quarter-finals for the first time if Scotland lose to Samoa and they beat the United States.

"The Brave Blossoms proved Japan is really worthy of hosting the World Cup," said Hayashi, speaking at the opening of the Japan Pavilion to promote the country's hosting of the the tournament in four years.

"It has been exciting, dramatic and unforgettable."

He expressed surprise at the reaction to his celebration of the South Africa win on his twitter account.

"All I heard in the moments after the match were 'unbelievable' 'greatest upset'" said Hayashi.

"I was shellshocked too. I could not find the suitable words for such a dramatic outcome for my twitter account.

"Eventually I came up with 'veni, vidi, vici' from Julius Caesar.

"To my slight bemusement 'The Times' cited me, perhaps to find someone who had said something other than 'shocked'," he added.

Hayashi said he found similarities between the 'Brave Blossoms' achievements and the Conservative Party's win in Britain's national election this year.

"I was at the Conservative Party conference earlier this week and I thought about how both of us had experienced unexpected victories this year," he said.

"Like the Tory activists there I had a smile on my face but I said to myself 'do not be complacent' even if I know it is just the beginning."

Hayashi said he concurred with Jones's assessment of the team's achievement. "The image of Japanese rugby has been transformed," said Hayashi.

"We are no longer bottom of the food chain as Eddie Jones said.

"Thanks to the efforts of the players who have made up for their small stature with their skill and agility."

The ambassador said everyone would be welcome at the 2019 World Cup and ended with an alternative version of his tweet about the win over the 'Boks: "Venite, Vidite amite. I come, see and love it."

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