Japan has caught Rugby World Cup fever.
A world-record national audience tuned in to watch Japan record a 26-5 victory over Samoa in Pool B on Saturday, according to World Rugby.
25 million people in Japan tuned in to watch the Brave Blossoms score a memorable win. This trounced the previous record of 20.7 million held by France, when national broadcaster TF1 televised their semi-final clash against England in the 2007 World Cup.
The recorded viewership represents nearly 20% of the entire Japanese population and a TV audience share in excess of a whopping 64%. It also bodes well for the popularity of the sport in the countryas it prepares to host Rugby World Cup 2019.
World Rugby Chief Executive Brett Gosper said:
“This is a significant result for the game in Japan. It shows that the general population there appreciate the sport and the amazing performances of their national team over the past few weeks. The highlight, of course, was the incredible win over South Africa in Brighton but Japan have set this entire tournament alight with how they have performed in all their games. Their style of play has really caught the imagination of rugby fans around the world and, as these broadcast numbers indicate, in Japan.”
“This boost in interest could not be better timed as Rugby World Cup will venture outside of traditional rugby heartlands for the first time in 2019. It really has given the event a major shot in the arm.”
The record might not last long as Japan’s final pool match takes place on Sunday against USA.
