(ATR) Japan opens the Rugby World Cup with a victory over Russia 30 to 10. The opening match in Tokyo Stadium launches more than a month of competition across Japan that ends November 2 in Yokohama.
The 20 team field is led by world number one Ireland with New Zealand the defending champion of the Webb Ellis Cup.
Crown Prince Akishino declared the tournament open before a packed stadium, capacity just under 50,000.
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said the tournament will be a success in Japan.
"This is the moment we’ve all been waiting for. We can all be very proud tonight. You have made history," Beaumont proclaimed.
The Rugby World Cup has been contested every four years since 1987. This is the first time the event has been held in Asia.
Originally, the 2019 edition was supposed to be held in the new National Stadium still under construction in Tokyo. As such, the tournament would have been the first event to test the stadium ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The new arena was delayed, forcing organizers to move the opening match to Tokyo Stadium and the close to Yokohama. In 2020, the new stadium will be used for opening and closing ceremonies as well as the athletics competition.
The rugby sevens tournament in the Tokyo Olympics will be held in Tokyo Stadium.
The Cherry Blossoms, as the Japanese team is nicknamed, will next play Ireland September 28 at Yokohama International Stadium.
Reported by Ed Hula.
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