Eddie Jones pays tribute to Japanese RWC Squad

Japan coach Eddie Jones has paid tribute to his squad after landing back home from the Rugby World Cup.

The Brave Blossoms surpassed all expectations by winning three games out of four, and were unlucky to not make the quarter-finals.

“What a fantastic achievement for the team. Behind me, you have the new sporting heroes of Japan,” Jones said.

"There will be kids in Japan now practising to be Goro (Ayumu Goromaru), practising to scrum like Hatake (Kensuke Hatakeyama), practising to throw like Horie (Shota Horie), practising to score more tries by a winger like Fujita (Yoshikazu Fujita).

“It's a great credit to the team, they’ve changed Japanese rugby.

“They’ve worked hard, but, more importantly, they have played with courage, not only physical courage but mental courage.

“Mental courage of playing the Japanese way. It would not matter if we went out to play in a pink jersey, now people would recognise the Japanese style of play.

“To finish the tournament ranked ninth in the world, to finish ahead of countries like England, is an absolutely amazing success story. But like any success story the next chapter’s so important.

“The next chapter for Japanese rugby is making sure it can find new players with more talent and desire and to make sure this group of players keeps improving.”