May 10, 2005
Rugby in Japan Newsletter
RiJ this week brings you Asian Qualification for RWC 07 starting with Japan 91 beating Hong Kong 3. A lopsided game for Rugby fans to have their first look at the CBs for 2005 on home soil, but nonetheless pleasing to be on the inflicting side rather than the receiving side for a change. RiJ also wraps-up the recent NZU tour to Japan. Enjoy the read.
Contents
Tokyo Gaijin 10 (10) All Quiet Typhoons 24 (7)
Back to a Kizooch Field at Tobu-Dobutsu-Koen that had metamorphosed from last year's infectious-disease-transmitting swamp into a semi-arid dust-bowl, to play in a mini-tournament that supposedly aided in some way Japan's national deaf rugby side in their preparations for the upcoming World Cup in Wales.
Shinjuku Jack 6 Tokyo Gaijin 31
The first half of this game offered neutrals the intriguing spectacle of perhaps the worst forty minutes of rugby played by any team anywhere in the universe, ever. You really had to be there. Unfortunately, among those on the sidelines, manager Joffa Harris can hardly be described as neutral. Not a bunny, not happy.
Tokyo Gaijin 26 Higurashi Ruggers 8
Sidelined player-coach Joffa Harris reminded the team before kick-off that the Gaijin had never (never!) lost in the first round of the Tokyo Cup. However, seldom has the club faced such a tricky opening fixture, against old rivals Higurashi with past results disturbingly even.
