Rugby World Cup 2019™ Pool Draw Ceremony Held in Kyoto

"The pool draw in Kyoto marks a new beginning for success and victory."

RWC2019 will be held across 12 cities in Japan from September 20 to November 2, 2019. On May 10, the pool draw for the tournament took place, determining the opponents for the pool stage. Following this event, each national team will spend the next two years analyzing their opponents and preparing.

Preceding the draw, a "Pre-Draw Reception" was held the previous day, the 9th, inviting head coaches and officials from each national team. Approximately 220 attendees, including Japan's head coach Jamie Joseph and other officials, gathered at the hotel in Kyoto City serving as the venue.

At the reception, Mr. Fujio Mitarai, Chairman of the RWC2019 Organizing Committee, delivered the opening remarks. "This is the first time the draw has been held outside the UK and Ireland. We are extremely pleased and honored that Kyoto has been chosen as the venue," he stated. He also expressed gratitude to World Rugby for making this decision, saying, "We would like to thank them for their bold decision."

Next, Mr. Tadashi Okamura, Chairman of the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), and Bill Beaumont, Chairman of World Rugby, took the stage. Beaumont commented, "Japan captured the hearts of the entire world by defeating South Africa at the last tournament in England. That victory lays the groundwork for the success of this tournament." He expressed his hopes, saying, "Holding the draw in Kyoto represents a new beginning in many ways. By lighting the flame in this new country (Japan), I hope it will ignite the passion for rugby across Asia."

Afterwards, officials, governors, and mayors from host municipalities took the stage for the ceremonial sake barrel breaking. During the toast, Kyoto Mayor Daisaku Kadokawa stated, "Rugby is a sport of gentlemen, friendship, and peace. Through this tournament, we wish to bring peace from Japan to the world." The venue was enveloped in a warm atmosphere throughout, strengthening unity for the event two years hence.

The draw ceremony was held the following day, the 10th. Moving the venue to the Kyoto State Guest House, the event drew significant attention, including live television coverage.

At the draw, the host nation Japan's pool was determined first. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was tasked with this role. Under intense scrutiny, he drew the ball for Pool A. Prime Minister Abe stated, "We want to make this a Games that will remain in the memories of people around the world, filled with emotion." He also emphasized the inclusion of host cities like Kamaishi City in Iwate Prefecture and Kumamoto City in Kumamoto Prefecture, areas affected by recent disasters: "The thrill of witnessing the performances of top-class athletes will be a powerful force for further recovery."

The draw determined the pool assignments for all 20 teams. With this, each team's preparations for the tournament will now intensify. JRFU Chairman Okamura commented after the draw: "I expect the Japan national team to captivate everyone as they face formidable nations with respected histories and traditions, as well as rivals who push each other to greater heights. I am already looking forward to Japan achieving a result of reaching the quarterfinals or better, surpassing the strong performance of the previous tournament." The curtain has risen on this historic first tournament in Asia.

 

Key Figures Discuss What's Needed for Tournament Success

What blueprint are the hosts envisioning for RWC 2019, and what legacy will they leave for the future? We spoke with Akira Shimazu, Secretary General of the RWC 2019 Organizing Committee, and Masaharu Nakamura, Managing Executive Officer of Canon, an official tournament sponsor.

Uniting the Nation to Fill All 48 Matches

Akira Shimazu
Secretary General, Rugby World Cup 2019 Organizing Committee

──With the draw complete, the tournament's outline is now clear. What were your impressions after seeing the proceedings?

I think the draw, including the reception the night before, was exciting and went well. Prime Minister Abe also participated, making it a great event. Above all, now that the specific pool assignments are set, you can see the intensity in the eyes of the participating nations. That goes not just for the teams, but also for the organizers and the folks at World Rugby.

──In terms of building excitement for the tournament, we naturally hope for strong performances from the Japanese national team.

We want them to aim high, striving for that "quarterfinals or better" goal. However, the tournament features 20 elite teams. We want every match, not just Japan's, to reach peak excitement. I hear that during the last tournament in England, which drew record crowds, organizers felt certain of its success when they saw large crowds gathering for matches involving non-host nations. We share that vision; our ultimate goal is to fill every one of the 48 matches to capacity.

──What areas will you focus on from now to achieve that?

The Japanese national team will play numerous Test matches (official international matches between national teams) this year. First, building excitement for these Test matches is the initial step. We want to attract many spectators and use these matches as an opportunity to confirm operational aspects ahead of the main event.
We're also focusing on sports hospitality, creating enjoyable experiences not just during the matches, but before and after as well. Furthermore, we want to create fan zones where even those without tickets can enjoy the atmosphere and experience the excitement of being there. These initiatives are already underway as business ventures. If they help develop sports culture and the sports business, I believe they will become a lasting legacy of the tournament.

──What do you consider crucial for ensuring the tournament's success and building on it beyond the event?

During the Games, we anticipate approximately 400,000 foreign visitors coming to Japan, based on the previous Games. Most will likely stay longer to tour Japan, not just watch the matches. This means the stage isn't just the host cities, but all of Japan. We want each region to showcase its appeal and invite visitors to enjoy Japan during this opportunity. Following 2019, a series of international sporting events will follow: the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the World Masters Games 2021 Kansai, a celebration of lifelong sports. If visitors enjoy Japan in 2019, it will likely encourage them to return in subsequent years.
This is the first time the Games are being held in Asia. We are determined to make it a success so that people will think, "It was great that it was held in Japan." For that, cooperation is essential. We want the whole country to unite and build excitement.

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Let's not let the excitement fade in an instant; let's pass it on to future generations.

Masaharu Nakamura
Executive Officer, Head of Corporate Affairs Division, Canon Inc.

──Canon became the first official sponsor for this tournament. Could you tell us why you decided to sponsor again, following the previous tournament?

Canon has its own team, the Canon Eagles, competing in the Japan Rugby Top League. As the person responsible for the Eagles, I feel the overwhelming power of rugby. The clash of bodies holds immense appeal and creates excitement. The key is how long we can sustain conveying that power. By precisely capturing that moment through photography, fans who see it can relive that excitement. In other words, the excitement doesn't end in that instant; it continues long into the future.
To achieve this, we need to support professional photographers who capture those moving moments. This is something our company can uniquely provide. We hope that as a result, the joy of rugby and the thrill of sport will be passed on to children and connect to the future.

──Specifically, how will you support the tournament?

Our support will primarily involve providing equipment like camera maintenance and lens rentals for professional photographers, as well as printers and other gear for media personnel. We also want to contribute through camera technology in safety aspects. For example, surveillance cameras, combined with software, can instantly determine how many people are in a specific area from the images. This allows us to measure crowd density and guide spectators appropriately.
Furthermore, we aim to incorporate the latest technologies wherever possible. During last year's J.League YBC Levain Cup soccer tournament, we conducted a proof-of-concept experiment with 360-degree replay footage. By installing cameras around the entire stadium perimeter and synthesizing the footage, viewers could freely watch plays from any perspective. We want to leverage these cutting-edge technologies to enhance the tournament experience. Ideally, the match venues themselves would become a showcase for Japanese technology.

──Finally, please share your aspirations for 2019.

To support the tournament with our products and technologies, contributing to the development of sports culture. Through this, we hope Canon will be recognized. Also, as a company with a rugby team, we naturally want the Japanese team to advance as far as possible. It would be fantastic if Canon Eagles players were part of that team (laughs).