Rugby World Cup hosts Japan almost went from Brighton Miracle to Nightmare in Tokyo on Friday as they survived a horrendous case of early nerves to open their Pool A campaign with a 30-10 defeat of Russia.Having conceded the fastest try ever in the opening match of a World Cup, the Brave Blossoms were disjointed for much of the first half and not at all secure under the high ball -- a far cry from their opener at the previous tournament in England.A hat-trick of tries from Man-of-the-Match Kotaro Matsushima -- the first by a Japanese player at a World Cup -- and one from Pieter Labuschagne …READ FULL ARTICLE
