He served eight years as Hansen’s assistant and beat Scott Robertson to the position

Rassie Erasmus named coach of the year with Jamie Heaslip receiving merit award

Steve Hansen fronts up and offers no excuses after crushing semi-final defeat to England

Outgoing coach has left a blueprint behind, Jamie Joseph will have plenty of options

Brave Blossoms wilt against South Africa as they set up a semi-final meeting with Wales

Rugby World Cup: Brave Blossoms have brought game to new levels in host country

Ryohei Yamanaka replaces William Tupou at fullback for South Africa quarter-final

Decision to go ahead despite typhoon vindicated by uplifting performance from hosts

South Africa coach impressed with hosts’ improvement through Rugby World Cup

Hosts send an intoxicating air through rugby’s old order as they dump out Scotland

Ireland will now play world champions New Zealand in the last eight next Saturday

The Japanese public has taken to devouring rugby stories as it gets to know its heroes

Ireland accentuate the positive after 35-0 victory over Russia on a rainy night in Kobe

Joe Schmidt’s side look to get their tournament back on track against Bears in Kobe

Unlike four years ago, favourable schedule in the pool will now suit the Brave Blossoms

Luke Thompson. Michael Leitch and Shota Horie all put in huge performances in Shizuoka

Host nation take full advantage as Ireland let standards drop in Shizuoka

Ireland outhalf takes the positives from Japan defeat ahead of return against Russia

Tale of three outhalves quickly becoming Schmidt’s downward spiralling swansong

Jamie Joseph: ‘We’ve been preparing for this game for a hell of a lot longer than what the Irish have’

Famous victory for the Brave Blossoms was a shock but it was also thoroughly deserved

Misery in the heat for tourists as the Brave Blossoms run the ball and take a famous bow

Hosts can swing from the hip with opportunities to come against Samoa and Scotland

‘There’s a lot less experience without him. Johnny Sexton is a key player’

Jamie Joseph: ‘if we’re going to win it’s going to come down to the last five or 10 minutes’

Sexton has been unable to train this week, after being hurt against Scotland on Sunday

Fullback hoping to win a starting role for crucial clash against Ireland on Saturday

Remote hotel an ideal location for Schmidt and his squad to hone their game plan

Host nation well aware of strengths and opportunities ahead of Saturday’s game

Brave Blossoms thrill Tokyo crowd as they run out 30-10 winners over Russia

Hosts slow out of the blocks in Tokyo but pull away to start home tournament with a bang

Rugby World Cup timetable puts Ireland in strong position for quarter-final showdown

New Zealand beat Japan by 128 points in 1995 Rugby World Cup with the outhalf starring

Letter from Japan: Home side love their rules but several illogical demands will need to be broken

Kiwi has proved a remarkable servant for Brave Blossoms and is looking forward to fourth RWC

Prop enjoyed moment of glory in Ireland’s 43-19 defeat to New Zealand

Versatility could help press the case of the likes of Ryan, Porter and Bealham

Tournament hosts will be hoping for a repeat of their famous win over Springboks in 2015

Super Rugby will revert to a purely southern hemisphere affair in blow to Japanese rugby

Mutual respect is obvious as Martin Johnson and Paul O’Connell means good TV