Hosts Japan began the tournament in style as they saw off Russia thanks to a Kotaro Matsushima hat-trick.
Doesn't get much better than a hat trick in front of your home crowd in the #RWC2019 opener. Matsushima makes it safe for the #BraveBlossoms who lead #Russia 30-10 with less than 10 minutes to go #JPNvRUS pic.twitter.com/6gRf9z7T2y
— sparknzsport (@sparknzsport) September 20, 2019
SOCIAL REACTION:
Kotaro Matsushima loves five-pointers as much as we love his lid. #JPNvRUS#BraveBlossoms lead Russia 12-7 at halftime in their #RWC2019 opener. Catch the second half LIVE at https://t.co/nV95q5Y2sL pic.twitter.com/mR01pUVI0U
— sparknzsport (@sparknzsport) September 20, 2019
3 – Kotaro Matsushima is the first player to score a hat-trick for Japan in a @rugbyworldcup match; overall he now has 4 RWC tries for Japan, the joint most for the nation (also Eiji Kutsuki). Blossoming. #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/MyBHGIlrdx
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) September 20, 2019