Rugby

Welcome back Ninja Fans,

July 2^nd saw Kate and I venture to Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the ‘spiritual’ home of Japanese rugby. They were to play Samoa as part of the IRB Pacific nations tournament (our equivalent of the tri-nations).

Not having followed the Cherry Blossoms previously, we had no idea how the game would go, but were hopeful our adopted team would have a win.

A sinking feeling descended upon us when we saw the starting lineups. The standard size for the Samoans was about 190cm and 100kgs (+10cm +10kgs for a lock and +15kgs for the props) and all could run like the clappers (the props for only 15m though). 

Not much difference in size at all

The poor Japanese were not as physically imposing at all, their locks were actually 2 naturalised Poms (we think) as was one of their centres and their half back? 

Spot the dirty little scrum half...

With the exception of these chaps, the Japanese players prob averaged 175-180cm and about 85kgs. Don't get me wrong, they were quick little sods, but quick only gets you so far for so long.

Oh nu! I'm beeched as bru!

In any case, the opening 3 minutes saw one of the Samoan backs run directly at a pack of 4 Cherry Blossoms who were scattered like a bunch of pins hit by a 15 pound bowling ball. Not to long after a similar play happened and the home side were looking at a drubbing. It also didnt help that the two of the naturalised players who were taking the shots at goal for the home side had delusions of grandeur and they werent even close to making the distance on their first 3 penalty attempts!

Good hit -- not sure about the angle of the props necks though

To their credit they adjusted their style of play (one would dive at the legs, not trying to tackle, just tangle and 3 would jump on the back to effect the tackle) and were looking to stage an unlikely come from behind win when I put the mocker on them and suggested to Kate that 9pts was not all that much to reel in with about 20 mins in hand.

Needless to say traffic was one way after that and they lost  by about 20pts.

Perhaps not the most stylish, but that skirt sure looked comfy

Despite the result, a good night was had by us and we look forward to the Blossoms play USA in a few weeks!