7 Most Dramatic Finishes In Rugby Union History

In the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Japan fell to a 145-17 defeat against the All Blacks in South Africa. A record score which still stands to this day.

The Japanese results in further tournaments would be much more respectable, but they had not recorded a single victory in the group stage since 1991. The closest being two back-to-back draws against Canada in the 2007 and 2011.

In 2012, Japan appointed Eddie Jones as head coach. A man with a wealth of experience, coaching the likes of the Brumbies, Saracens and Australia, as well as Japanese Top League side, the Suntory Sungoliath.

Under Jones, the Brave Blossoms would secure four consecutive Asia Rugby Championships and victories over top tier nations, Wales and Itatly, to rise to 9th place in the World Rankings.

Japan would meet two time World Champions, South Africa, in their opening group match of the 2015 competition at the Amex Stadium. The Springboks held a narrow 12-10 at half time and, most would have expected their experience and physicality to carry them through to a comfortable victory.

However, Eddie Jones' side would match them like-for-like, exchanging penalties and responding with a try of their own by Ayumu Goromaru, not long after Adriaan Strauss dotted over.

With one minute to go and three points down, Japan were awarded a penalty and a choice deep in South African territory. Take a straight forward kick for a draw or be brave and go for the win? Living up to their name, the Brave Blossoms went for the latter.

After multiple scrum resets, Japan shipped the ball from left to right and several heart-in-mouth phases ensued. Then, with nearly four minutes played in the red, replacement Winger, Karne Hesketh slid over in the left hand corner, for the biggest upset win in Rugby World Cup history.

The match and Japan's journey inspired the feature length movie 'The Brighton Miracle' to be produced, with Star Wars' Jango Fett, Temuera Morrison, starring as Eddie Jones.

Even though the Brave Blossoms fast became the rugby neutral's favourite team and playing some of the best rugby in the tournament, they agonisingly lost out on a Quarter Final spot, despite winning three out of their four pool games.

Japan would go one further four years later at the 2019 Rugby World Cup however. Reaching the knockout stages for the first time after topping their pool, in their home country, meeting face-to-face with eventual winners, South Africa.