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Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 23, 2015 at 2.30pm UK
 
Scotland
45-10
Japan
Hardie (49'), Bennett (56', 69'), Seymour (64'), Russell (74')
FT
Mafi (15')

Japan's Michael Leitch keen to avoid one-hit wonder status at Rugby World Cup

Japan captain Michael Leitch is confident that his team will not become one-hit wonders at the Rugby World Cup after stunning South Africa in their opening match.

Japan captain Michael Leitch has called on his teammates to not become one-hit wonders at the Rugby World Cup after shocking two-time winners South Africa in their opening game.

The Brave Blossoms scored an 84th-minute try in Brighton on Saturday to cause one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history and Leitch, who scored Japan's first try at The Amex, wants his teammates to avoid complacency when they face Scotland tomorrow at Kingsholm.

The 26-year-old also said that he would rather have played a game than be in Scotland's position - Wednesday's match is their first of the tournament.

"We're a bit beaten up and coming back from a hard win, but I'd rather be in our position than the Scottish," he told reporters.

"One of the hardest things in rugby is consistency so as long as we don't get too complacent and just keep working hard then who knows what could happen?

"This could be a one-hit wonder, but if we can back it up then it could be something special."

Leitch also feels that there should be plenty of support for the Brave Blossoms in Gloucester.

"We beat Georgia at Kingsholm a couple of weeks ago, so we should have a little fan base down there. Plus Gloucester wear the same tops as us!"

Victory on Saturday was just Japan's second-ever at the World Cup and their first for 24 years.

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Ayumu Goromaru of Japan celebrates scoring his team's second try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium on September 19, 2015
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