Departing Japanese turn sights to 2019

Japan turned their sights to the future on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after exiting yet another Rugby World Cup without a victory.

The Brave Blossoms' 23-23 draw with Canada in Napier marked the end of a campaign in which they lost to France, New Zealand and Tonga. The team have not won a RWC match since beating Zimbabwe 52-8 at the 1991 tournament.

Tatsuzo Yabe, the chairman of the country's Rugby Football Union, said the Japanese had no time to wallow in disappointment - coach John Kirwan had targeted two wins for his team in New Zealand - and must march on towards 2019 when they will host the game's international showpiece.

"Step by step, we had thought Japanese rugby had improved over the last four years," said Yabe. "However, we found out first-hand that we are far from world class.

"But the future of Japanese rugby lies ahead of us. As soon as we return home, we will begin our rebuilding plans.

"We have a huge goal of making the 2019 World Cup a success and to reach that goal, Japan must join the top-tier nations at all costs.

Nothing decided

"There are a lot of areas we need to improve on, and we have to correct them one by one."

There has been speculation in Japan about a coaching change but Yabe declined to comment other than to say nothing had been decided.

General manager Osamu Ota thanked Kirwan for his contribution to the team since the last World Cup, in which Japan also registered three defeats alongside a draw with Canada.

In spite of results, the former All Black's side drew plenty of praise from the rugby fraternity for their performances, particularly their display in a 47-21 loss to France on 10 September.

"We want to thank coach Kirwan for all that he's given us over the last four years," said Ota.

"He raised the overall quality and confidence of the team and helped establish a Japanese brand of rugby.

"We may not have attained the results we were looking for but we have undoubtedly become a better rugby team."

Kirwan, whose contract expires in December, said: "We wanted to show the world how much Japanese rugby has grown. The world has stood up and said we play a fantastic style of rugby.

"I am very happy for Japanese rugby that they are getting the recognition that they need."