Long queues for replica shirts, desperate searches for tickets and TV stations showing Japan's wins on a loop: excitement is building ahead of the host nation's historic Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa.[TOKYO] Long queues for replica shirts, desperate searches for tickets and TV stations showing Japan's wins on a loop: excitement is building ahead of the host nation's historic Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa.
Even the financial press have been carrying rugby articles, with the Nikkei business daily drafting in former player Kensuke Iwabuchi to comment on Sunday's match-up - Japan's World Cup quarter-final.Mr Iwabuchi said the key to the match would lie in"discipline and patience" and noted how home advantage was proving to be a critical factor in the Brave Blossoms' winning streak."The cheers from the crowd has been a big supporting force.
Those not lucky enough to have tickets are watching in huge numbers on TV. A peak of more than 50 per cent of the country tuned in to watch Japan's last pool game against Scotland according to ratings company Video Research. When a rugby expert noted South Africa would play its strongest team, the show's star presenter Koji Kato exclaimed:"Good!""This means Japan will let the strongest team down," Mr Kato said, drawing laughter from others on the show.