JAPAN ROSE ABOVE Fiji and into ninth in rugby’s world rankings today, equalling their best ever standing six weeks out from a World Cup on home soil.
The Brave Blossoms’ ascent comes after a 34-20 Pacific Nations Cup win over the USA in Suva and leaves Rugby World Cup Pool A as one of the two pools containing three top 10-ranked nations.
Joe Schmidt’s Ireland will open their campaign against seventh-ranked Scotland before taking on the hosts six days later in Shizuoka.
Jamie Joseph’s men set the platform for victory through their set-piece before latterly showing their ability to score from deep with a second try from Michael Leitch the highlight of their four-try win.
Other big movers in the rankings are England, who take over in fourth place behind Ireland despite South Africa’s Rugby Championship success thanks to a win in Argentina.
Japan’s win over the US was good news for Conor O’Shea’s Italy as the Azzurri displaced the Eagles in 13th place.
Mental ability is what separates great from very good in sport. There are many “athletes” out there in any sport but the ones who separate themselves are the ones with the mental ability others don’t have.Whether it’s intelligence, awareness or work ethic, it’s that last 5% that leads to greatness. Xavi, Brady, Schumacher, Ali, or Redgrave they all have that 5% upstairs.
Just look at the NFL, lots of physical “freaks” natural or not, but how many really make it and why. Xavi is one of the best footballers I’ve ever seen. Barca scores 9 goals when I saw them, 3 disallowed but I swear he assisted all of them. A legend.
“And Mark Lawrenson”
The greatest central midfielder of a generation. One of the most complete players we have seen
I remember stuff from before I could walk but If you told me your phone number I’d forget the start of it before you got to the end.