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"We knew our strengths": Unpacking the 'Brighton Miracle' a decade on

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 20 Sept 2025, 3:21pm
Karne Hesketh of Japan celebrates with his teammates following his winning try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Karne Hesketh of Japan celebrates with his teammates following his winning try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Japan at the Brighton Community Stadium on September 19, 2015 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

"We knew our strengths": Unpacking the 'Brighton Miracle' a decade on

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Sat, 20 Sept 2025, 3:21pm

Today marks 10 years since one of the biggest upsets in sporting history. 

On this day in 2015, Japan defeated South Africa 34-32 at the Rugby World Cup in what became known as the Brighton Miracle. 

Japan First Five that day was Kosei Ono, who told Piney that it really was a miracle. 

“If I had a spare $10, I probably wouldn’t have put it on Japan to win that game myself.” 

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