WARWICK, 26 Sept. – Japan's Rugby World Cup win against South Africa will live long in the memory, but the morning after is also one Akihito Yamada will never forget.

The day after Japan's greatest rugby victory, the Brave Blossoms wing was stung by a weever fish during a recovery session in the sea off Brighton, forcing him to miss the second game against Scotland.

In what is sure to go down as one of the most unusual injuries in RWC history, Yamada (pictured above) suffered the sting on the fourth toe of his left foot, which swelled to a point where he could not wear a shoe until two days ago.

After training on Saturday, Yamada could only laugh and shake his head in disbelief as he recalled the freak incident.

“The day after the South Africa game, when we were doing our recovery in the sea, I got stung by a fish,” Yamada said.

Hurt like crazy

“It hurt like crazy. At first, I thought I sliced my foot on a rock but the pain kept getting worse and worse and the locals told me it was a weever fish. I can’t believe I’m the only one who was stung when we were all in the wide open water.

“I’m never going in the ocean again.”

Yamada expects to make a full recovery in time for Japan’s next Pool B game against Samoa in Milton Keynes on 3 October.

“I finally feel good again. I’m not hurting anywhere now,” he said. “I was hoping to play in every game at the World Cup so it’s a little disappointing, especially after we played so well against South Africa.

“We all worked so hard for this so I’m glad it’s paying off. I hope rugby becomes even more popular than it’s become in Japan. We have to keep doing well to keep it going for rugby.

"It’s been very rewarding so far. The reception we’ve been getting wherever we go has been incredible.”

Asked how it felt to be sidelined by a small fish as opposed to a mighty Springboks player, Yamada said, “Size doesn’t matter.”

RNS sk/kd