TOKYO – Defying odds as high as 80-1 generally signals the biggest of shocks in any sport. But for former fullback Ayumu Goromaru, Japan’s 34-32 victory over South Africa at the Rugby World Cup 10 years ago went according to plan.
The breakthrough tournament in England provided an invaluable platform for the Brave Blossoms’ great run at home four years later and that monumental game on Sept. 10 in Brighton is etched in the mind of many, including the man of the match responsible for 24 of Japan’s points.
“We prepared thoroughly to the extent we thought we’d never win in our lifetime if that didn’t prove enough. We had confidence we had set up everything,” Goromaru told Kyodo News.
“It was 80 minutes in which we kept doing what the opponents were not used to. We talked about taking the initiative and things went in line with our scenario from the kick-off.”
An early penalty from Goromaru and a try by Michael Leitch on the half-hour mark saw the Brave Blossoms trail just 12-10 at the break. Goromaru then kept burying penalties and ran in a superb try in the 69th minute as Japan found themselves just three points behind with minutes left.
“I’ll never forget that feeling,” he reflected on the buzz surrounding the stadium, where the cheers toward his team began to eclipse those for the Springboks.
Deciding to go against head coach Eddie Jones’ instruction to take a draw by kicking a penalty, Japan opted for a series of scrums in search of the win before Karne Hesketh’s try made history.
“With the home World Cup awaiting in 2019, we began aiming to become a team that people look up to,” Goromaru said. “That was the moment the standing of us rugby players and the Japan national team went up.”
The Brave Blossoms eventually became the first team to not reach the quarterfinals of the World Cup despite winning three matches, with a 45-10 defeat to Scotland at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester just four days after their heroics in Brighton the only shortcoming.
“The frustration of losing to Scotland might be stronger than the joy of beating South Africa,” he said. I don’t want to look back on the past, but if I had to say, I’d like to have played them after a week’s rest.”
His routine ninja-esque routine before taking kicks became a huge hit back home, something that he fondly remembers.
“There’s nothing I achieved on my own. I felt like ‘leave me alone’ at the time, but it was great, it helped rugby get recognized.”
The impact of the tournament was huge and lasting as the passionate home fans pushed the 2019 hosts to their first knockout stage, beating Ireland and Scotland on the way, without Goromaru who had already retired from national team duty.
“I was almost in tears looking at the stadium packed with people wearing the Japan jersey,” he recalled of the opener against Russia in Tokyo.
The 39-year-old, who is currently working outside the rugby world as he engages in community revitalization work, believes Japan need to find another gear to join the world’s elite.
“It was as we hoped until the 2019 World Cup. My impression now is we haven’t developed at the pace I was hoping for,” he said. “I can’t see the direction in which they want to play rugby.”
Goromaru is convinced that youth development is essential to the national team’s future development, and he hopes the Brave Blossoms can obtain the mentality of real winners.
“What’s important is how many kids are out there wanting to play rugby. They won’t increase unless rugby schools get developed,” he said.
“Applauding your opponent is a big part of rugby. Against South Africa, their players came to us after the match and I thought why couldn’t we go and talk to them first? I hope Japan players keep having that mindset to become a strong nation.”
With Japan bidding to host the World Cup again in 2039, Goromaru knows where his future lies.
“If the World Cup returns to Japan, I want to return to the rugby world as someone looking in from the outside,” he said. “I’ll be 53 in 2039, doesn’t it sound about the right age? I’m in the middle of a training expedition so I can lend my power then.”
