rugby match in Nagai Stadium

Hi all,

I went to the Japan vs Ireland game yesterday at Nagai stadium in Osaka. It's a class stadium and was one of the venues for the World Cup a few years ago. It holds 55000 and I was well impressed. I took a lot of photos so they will be up and running when i get a chance to download them off the camera.

A group of us from work went and it was a good laugh. We managed to get tickets for 350yen (about 3yoyos) from one of the guys who's involved in the rugby set up over here. They were trying to fill the stadium as much as they could as the two games against Ireland are supposed to be a promotional event to stage the 2011 Rugby World Cup here. Well, judging by the pathetic lack of atmosphere I would say they will be hard pushed to get it!! I know the game was poor but it was great to see the boys play and meet lots of ex-pats out here.

Despite the lack of atmosphere, we certainly made our won and had a great laugh. Meehan and I wore multicoloured wigs and we had an Irish flag which Kevin brought. We tied it to a huge bamboo pole and waved it around throughout the game with the intention of getting on tv but alas, i don't think it happened. I was resplendid in my Munster jersey and pissed as a proverbial fart by the end of the game. Met loads of Paddy's at the game and managed to meet the owners of some of the Irish bars that are around Osaka...handy to know :) i am going to one called, surprisingly enough, The Blarney Stone for the first Lions test on the 25th..should be a good laugh.

After the game we played some "street" basketball with of the locals. Loads of gaijins playing and met some lads from Belfast and Dublin who have been here for a couple of years now. Most of the ex-pats I met are teaching english or own bars.

I was delighted with the camera and am looking forward to taking more shots with and setting up a website for them. I'll also post some here when I know how to do that.

Well not much else going on on this side of the divide, boring boring Osaka...well, it's the work that makes it boring, insane hours. Met a Japanese girls who used to work where I am now and she said that it's famous for terrible working hours and conditions. Most people leave because of ill health....brilliant!!!

ok then, I've probably bored you all to death so i am going to bed. Hope everyone is good and enjoying the summer. it's hot and sticky here, that's as close as i'll come to that scenario too I'd say for quite a while...if you know what I mean, hahahaahaaa ;)