Rugby World Cup: Cotter's comments provide extra motivation to Japan

Japan coach Eddie Jones believes his side can overcome Scotland if they are within range after 30 minutes. Photo/Getty.

Comments made by Scotland's Kiwi coach Vern Cotter three months ago have unwittingly provided Japan coach Eddie Jones with extra motivation to secure their second Rugby World Cup victory, when both teams meet in tomorrow's Pool B encounter at Gloucester.

Back in June, Cotter said he believed Japan might put in a relaxed effort against South Africa and look to be at their best for their encounter with Scotland.

Cotter, like most rugby fans, didn't count on Japan stunning the Springboks with a 34-32 win on Saturday, and Jones' side are now looking to make it two from two against the Scots.

With Japan now eyeing a World Cup quarter-final berth for the first time, Jones is making sure his players are aware of Cotter's pre-tournament prediction.

"It was interesting that the Scotland coach said that we were going to tank the first game," Jones told Balls.ie website. "If we tanked it was a good performance."

Jones added that he believed his team would prevail if they were within range of Scotland after 30 minutes and questioned whether Cotter's team had the nous and ability to grind out a win in a tight contest.

"If we're in it after 30 minutes I reckon we'll win," he said. "You look at Scotland's record over the last 15 games and unless they get ahead early, they struggle to win a game."

Meanwhile, support for the 'Brave Blossoms' continues to flow from unlikely quarters in the wake of their first-up success, with Ireland fans embracing Japan as their 'second team'.

Balls.ie reported that before Saturday, only one Japan jersey had been sold across all Lifestyle Sports stores (and online shop) in Ireland.

Three days later and their entire stock have been snapped up to leave the shelves empty less than a week after the tournament began.

The Japan jersey has since climbed up to become the chain's third-best selling jersey out of all 20 World Cup sides, behind the number one selling All Blacks shirt and Ireland.