JAPAN'S PROSPECTS IN THE 2019 WORLD CUP

Based on consistent grand Slams in the Asian 5 Nations and an exponential rise in the IRB rankings (now 13th!) with huge wins over the likes of Chinese Taipei, South Korea and Hong Kong, do you think Japan will win this competition or just come third? Discuss.

They are head and shoulders the best team in Asia, but they've also just won the PNC. With a favourable seeding (which I'm sure they'll get as hosts) and 8 more years of rugby development with a professional league they'll be targeting at least a quarter-final spot and then push from there.

I will revisit this subject after they have played Tonga and Canada, in the meantime..can someone tell me how they are going to be exposed the the level of competition required to achieve a win at RWC let alone a Quarter/semi or final spot.....PNC and Asian 5 nations compared to RWC is, frankly, no comparison.

Japan just played in and won the Pacific cup. In it were also Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, all of whom are also competing and have won matches at this event. So they are getting some exposure. To speculate on 2019 is, well...

Taylorman wrote:Japan just played in and won the Pacific cup. In it were also Fiji, Samoa and Tonga, all of whom are also competing and have won matches at this event. So they are getting some exposure. To speculate on 2019 is, well...

arrogant?

No was going to say stupid actually but as you asked.

Looks like you too have the anti Kiwi bug too Gatts. The confusion between confidence and arrogance very apparent.