HK game off as Japan’s Asia coronation dampened
JAPAN was officially handed the Asia Rugby Championship yesterday but coach Eddie Jones claimed officials had rained on his team’s parade after deciding to abandon its final game against China’s Hong Kong.
A torrential downpour greeted players at Hong Kong’s Aberdeen Stadium. And with 13 minutes gone, and Japan leading 3-0, it turned very heavy.
The teams were called off the pitch for their own safety, first for 10 minutes and then for a further 20 minutes as officials kept their eyes skyward.
“I always thought rugby was a winter sport and you played in the rain,” said Jones. “What’s dangerous out there? We said we wanted to play but the decision has been made.”
There was to be no more action, however, and as the rain continued to fall, Japan was officially handed a title it had claimed with its third straight win in the series — 66-10 over South Korea in Fukuoka two weeks ago. The draw ensured Hong Kong finished the series in second place ahead of the Koreans.
Japan now turns its focus to the World Cup, with the team heading home for a month’s training camp and then a tune-up in the United States before heading to the World Cup, which kicks off when host England meets Fiji at Twickenham on September 18.
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