Rugby union’s showpiece event begins on Friday but the
World Cup fever is not exactly infectiousA recent social-media post summed up the mood among rugby lovers in
Japan days before the World Cup kicks off in Tokyo. “RWC flags are all over streets of Shibuya. It was kind of [a] ‘dream may come true’ feeling for me,” wrote Koji Tokumasu, a past president of Asia Rugby and director of the RWC 2019 Organising Committee.
The committee and World Rugby say it will be a will be a “once in a lifetime” experience for all concerned and are certainly confident everything is on track, despite a few logistical issues at the recent Test matches in Kamaishi and Osaka, mainly involving the queues for food and beer. “As Japan prepares to welcome the world, Rugby World Cup fever is well and truly sweeping the nation,” World Rugby Chairman, Bill Beaumont, said following Japan’s recent wins over Fiji, Tonga and the
United States in the Pacific Nations Cup.