Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match in Tokyo between New Zealand and Australia demonstrated Japan's enthusiasm for rugby as it prepares to host the 2019 World Cup, the head of the International Rugby Board said Monday.
A near-capacity crowd of 47,000 watched as the All Blacks beat Australia 32-19 at National Stadium.
"It was a great occasion, a wonderful atmosphere and a superb rugby match," IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said. "As a spectacle, it demonstrated to the Japanese public what to expect in 2019 and showed the excitement and enthusiasm for the game among the Japan rugby community and beyond."
Lapasset was among several IRB officials who met with Japanese rugby officials on Monday to discuss the nation's plans for 2019, when Japan will become the first Asian host of the World Cup.
The IRB announced in July that England will host the World Cup in 2015 and Japan will stage the tournament in 2019. New Zealand will host the next World Cup in 2011.
