Rugby World Cup 2011: Japan drums up support | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Support for Japan has "blossomed" in Napier, with a Taiko drumming performance offering locals a sneak peak at tonight's Rugby World Cup pre-match entertainment.

Yesterday a 20-strong group of Japanese drummers from the International Pacific College in Palmerston North performed an energetic rendition of traditional Taiko at Port Ahuriri School.

It was organised by the Japanese Embassy in Wellington, as a practice run for the group who will entertain crowds at McLean Park before tonight's Japan-Canada Pool A match.

Port Ahuriri School principal Glenn France said there was "quite a Japanese community" at the school, with five Japanese families in a roll of just 234. He told the flag-waving students the drumming was to the Brave Blossoms as the haka was to the All Blacks.

Embassy of Japan first secretary Takashi Ato attended the performance and presented the school with two Brave Blossom rugby jerseys signed by the team.

The captain of the drumming team, Misa Sugiura, said the group performed three drumming songs including Buchi, a war song, and Koretsu, an original composition.

"It's traditional music with a story behind it," she said.

A parent at the school, Satomi Yamaguchi, also helped organise the performance due to her involvement with welcoming the team to Napier. Mrs Yamaguchi, who runs the Japanese Sushi Aozara eatery with her husband Keizo in Ahuriri, came to Napier six years ago from Matsusaka City in the Mie Prefecture.

She greeted the team at the airport and was asked to help interpret for media.

"One of the journalists said when they arrived at other province's airports no one welcomed them, but in Napier there were lots of people, the haka and the mayor came and gave an official welcome," she said.

Will Japan break their Rugby World Cup drought at Napier's McLean Park tonight?

The Brave Blossoms, who love to play the game at pace, will certainly have perfect Hawke's Bay rugby weather conditions on their side as they attempt to beat Canada in front of a capacity crowd of 16,000 fans. The temperature is expected to be around 14C for the 5pm kick off.

Japan's only World Cup win came in 1991 when they beat Zimbabwe 52-8.

Having been in the Bay for the last 12 days, seven more than the Japanese, Canada, is likely to have the biggest support. A Canadian win should be enough to secure a top-three finish in Pool A and qualification for the 2015 World Cup.