South Africa won the Rugby World Cup: the value of diversity.

高橋 政和
Nov 3 · 3 min read

I watched a rugby game at a public viewing in Chofu, Tokyo.

It was a very tense and impressive match for the finals.

South Africa is crowned for the first time in 12 years.

▼The Rugby World Cup Japan World Organizing Committee and the international headquarters World Rugby (WR) today announced the following message:

WR Chairman Bill Beaumont said, “It ’s memorable as the greatest World Cup. Japan was the best host country.”

When I read a newspaper article that WR highly valued such an event, I am happy as an old rugby fan.

▼ South Africa’s winning factor was overwhelming with Scrum.

When the no-side whistle sounds, South Africa’s prop Mutawarira marches on the skip. Both arms are the dance rhythm. he made a rhythm with the scrum of the place and decided the flow of the game.

The foul gained by Scrum was an unusual 6 degrees. The advantage was directly connected to the PG and the position acquisition kick.

To be honest, I didn’t think it would be so different in Scrum.

It is said that Mutawaira recognized that “set play”, which holds the key to the game, was important.

However, it is normal that they can’t do it easily. It was possible because he had 34 years of experience and an unchanging spring, and he was also committed to the group.

The director again took the strategy to put a lot of strength FW ahead. He also managed to keep time with all the time.

“The scrum was good because we were more active players than the England players,” says the director, but it is because the players’ feelings were fulfilled.

In the second half, a “mall” was formed in the course of the game and connected to the PG from the foul.

Also, at the moment the opponent’s SO passed, he tackled foully, delayed the next play, and gave a psychological blow.

England was not attacked due to a mistake in the “control tower”.

It was a well-trained strategy and tactic that erased England’s strengths.

▼The third victory has a new meaning in countries that still have racial problems.

Korishi who leads the team is the first black captain, but his character is wonderful and respected by the referee.

The number of colored races of Mutawarira and others was a record over 10 people.

“There are political and murder cases in South Africa. I’ve been trying to bring happiness to you for 80 minutes by showing rugby,” the director said.

Upon receiving the winning medal, the white director shook champagne with Corissi, Mutawarira and others, and the scene of hugging was projected on the screen.

Like the Japanese team, it was the Rugby World Cup in Japan that made me feel the greatness of diversity.

    高橋 政和

    Written by

    Masakazu Takahashi

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