THERE is a strong appreciation of detail and proportion in Japanese culture, as well as a deep sense of tradition, and thankfully they were reflected in the 2019 World Cup opening ceremony in the Tokyo Stadium on Friday.
Instead of the overblown marketing hype from acolytes of
World Rugby about the millions of new converts to the game anticipated
following the ground-breaking decision to hold Rugby Union‘s global showpiece
in Asia for the first time – including predictions of over 110 million new fans
and almost two million new players – we had a Japanese signature at the start
of the event which hit most of the right notes.
The ceremony was about an hour from start to finish – unlike
the interminable pageant at the start of the Olympics – and the fanfare was
spectacular and well-planned.
Instead of pretending
that the sport was about to be beamed into every yurt on the Mongolian steppes
overnight, it kept its focus on Japan‘s role in spreading the Rugby Union
message.
That message in Japan’s case still has some way to go, given
that baseball and sumo wrestling are comfortably the biggest sports in the
country, and that as many as one in five of Japan’s 126 million population –
only 100,000 of whom play the game – do not know that they are hosting Rugby Union’s
global showpiece.
The bid to win hearts and minds at major sports events
starts with the symbolic welcome which is intrinsic to opening ceremonies. This
began with the large stage platform on the pitch lit up by a brilliant laser
light display as we were taken through an assortment of Japanese tableaus to
the accompaniment of Taiko drums, flutes, and traditional Kabuki dance and
music.
The last of these featured an illuminated Mount Fuji with an electronic display which showed the spread of the Union code from its inception on the playing fields of Rugby in England‘s East Midlands around the globe until it reached Japan. There was also a photographic backdrop of all the tournament host cities, including Kitakayushu, where a mind-boggling 15,000 townsfolk attended a Wales training session last week. This was followed by bands of local schoolchildren taking the stage with banners representing each of the 20 participating nations, before joining in unison to sing the World Cup anthem The World in Union.
The look: Richie McCaw takes one last glance at the Webb Ellis trophy he lifted four years ago at the opening ceremony in Japan. Getty Images/Adam Pretty
Then the dignitaries arrived, with Richie McCaw – or Sir
Richie, as New Zealand‘s double World Cup-winning captain is now following his
knighthood – walking out with the William Webb Ellis trophy his team won in
2011 and 2015.
This was a clear
symbol that the battle is on to see if anyone can take it off the holders – and
King Richie, sorry, Sir Richie – will know that there are plenty of cut-throat
pretenders hell-bent on claiming that crown.
Bill Beaumont, World Rugby’s chairman, then said he expected
a sporting experience of unforgettable moments, “as excitement sweeps this
great nation”.
The former England captain also included a pre-match pep
talk to the participating teams: “This is your moment to shine on the greatest
stage. I know you will inspire a new generation by promoting Rugby Union’s
values of integrity, solidarity, respect, discipline and passion.”
However, it was left to real royalty, Japan’s Crown Prince
Akishino, to declare the games open. He finished his speech with this simple
wish, dignified and without spin: “We sincerely hope this tournament will
create momentum to develop the game.”