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Japan have won their past four
World Cup games• We have to think we are starting at zero, says captain LeitchThere has been a routine question asked of the leading nations this week: how do you rate Japan’s prospects after the victory over Ireland? It showed how one result can radically transform opinion and expectation, and the
New Zealand flanker Sam Cane carefully fielded it by saying: “It will be exciting to see how they go against Scotland.”
Japan have to overcome Samoa first in Toyota on Saturday and a danger after their thrilling if, to the outside rugby world at least, unexpected victory over
Ireland is that attention not openly leap-frogs to the game against
Scotland at Yokohama a week on Sunday, which closes the group stage, but regards the quarter-finals as beneath the summit for the home side.