WEEK 1
As we hit the 1 week mark at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan, Gilbert take a quick look back at what has happened over the last 7 days.
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK
Undoubtedly the performance of the round has come from Los Teros, the proposed minnows of Rugby World Cup 2019 from Uruguay, with a base of just some 4,500 players. An epic 30-27 victory in Kamaishi over Rugby World Cup™ stalwarts Fiji (who have appeared at 8 out of the 9 RWC tournaments) on Wednesday; a team ranked 9 places above them at the start of the tournament. Remembered from RWC 2015 in England as ‘the last amateur team’, Uruguay used that tournament to lay the foundations for a famous victory in Japan.
Who can forget the mad rush for Japan Rugby merchandise following their famous victory in 2015, who would bet against a similar rush for Uruguay Rugby product now…
HAVE YOU SEEN?
Bak San is Back! Japanese super fan ‘Bak-San’ has already become a cult hero. Regularly pictured with his body painted with the shirts of teams, Bak-San has ‘promised’ to feature all 20 teams at RWC 2019. He’s off to a flying start having already been seen donning the ‘jerseys’ of Japan, Argentina, Namibia, Wales, Uruguay and England, so far!
If you’ve not already seen him, and you’re on social media, give #BakSansBack a look.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Week 2 brings us some huge fixtures! On Saturday 28th September, hosts Japan take on Ireland, both teams with 1 victory from 1 so far. Sunday sees Georgia take on Uruguay, which could prove vital in the battle for 3rd place in Pool D (and with it automatic qualification for RWC 2023), followed by Australia vs Wales, arguably the Pool D decider!
Monday pits Scotland against Samoa in Pool A, with both teams looking to keep their knockout qualifications alive. Thursday will see Georgia in action again taking on Fiji, which could well end up being a decider for that automatic qualification spot (for RWC 2023).
FANCY BEING AT THE RWC 2019 FINAL?
Enter our RWC 2019 Competition here!
