There is no doubt about what the big headline will be after the first weekend of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Japan’s historic victory over South Africa was the talk of the internet and turned Japan into everybody’s second team for the tournament.
Irish out-half Jonny Sexton was asked about the 80/1 upset and he explained how the result made Ireland’s 50-7 victory over Canada look even more impressive.
“It was great, and it made our performance and our result a lot better, seeing a team like Japan beating South Africa,” Sexton said.
“We obviously could have been on the end of something similar a couple of hours earlier.
“Our game was really good and we got the result we deserved, but we maybe saw the flip-side of what can happen if you maybe take your eye off the ball and the gap is narrowing.”
Sexton, who scored a sharp try in Ireland’s World Cup opener, also claimed that the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history has made the so-called bigger countries sit up and take notice as the lesser sides will have garnered some confidence.
“It’s given the sides that are the so-called minnows a boost to see Japan do that,” Sexton said.
“You saw Uruguay do that against Wales, they put it to them for the first 20 minutes and made life difficult for them.
“Argentina were obviously making life tough for New Zealand too.
“It gives everyone a boost to know anything can happen.
“And it’s given us an alarm call I suppose.”
