Asia on the right path, says Japan's coach

BEIJING - Japan's sojourn as the flag bearer of Asia at the Rugby World Cup (RWC) may have come to a winless end, but its coach and All Black legend, John Kirwan, believes the future or the sport in the region is on the upswing - particularly in the Sevens form of the game.

The East Asian nation finished with a draw and three losses from its four Group A games at the gala event in New Zealand. It pushed France for three quarters of its opening match before wilting 47-21. It was then massacred by the host and tournament favorite 83-7, before succumbing to improving Tonga, which beat the French, 31-18.

In its final hurrah, Japan battled its way to a 23-23 tie with a game Canada team. Alas, that was not enough to see it through to the tournament's knock-out stages or gain it an automatic berth at the 2015 RWC.