The tournament has just been turned upside down but so has the Irish team's world and they will be desperate to win well against Russia and Samoa and hope that other results go their way so they get back to the top of their pool and avoid a quarter-final against New Zealand who have the ability to hurt them far more consistently than Japan did.
What was strange was that the Irish appeared to have the Japanese worked out. The hosts were vulnerable under the high ball in their opening win over Russia and they were in the first half in Shizuoka when giving up two tries after being outjumped in the first quarter.
But rather than build on their advantage the Irish withered in the face of the Japanese comeback. Initially it was a slow burner but the flames grew by the minute and once the crowd sensed an upset the house was fully ablaze.
Once replacement back Kenki Fukuoka scored to put his side ahead in the 58th minute the Irish were in big trouble because their physical presence had all but disappeared and normally dominant forwards such as Peter O'Mahony and Rory Best looked like old men who couldn't handle the pace.
Is this result an aberration or a sign of things to come? All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has said a few times recently that, currently, defence is king in rugby but that attack will slowly but surely find a way to overcome before the cycle repeats itself.
Ireland's defence was virtually impregnable against Scotland, and they remain dangerous sudden-death opponents – especially in wet conditions. But clearly they are vulnerable to teams playing with energy, enthusiasm and ambition and so far in this tournament the All Blacks top that list of qualifications along with Japan, South Africa and possibly France.
The All Blacks were in a bit of bother against the Boks in Yokohama in the first quarter but turned the match on its head with two pieces of magic in five minutes. They could have had another try in the second half when Beauden Barrett broke from his own line.
The Irish don't appear to have that ability to conjure something from nothing when under pressure, and with key playmaker Johnny Sexton carrying a thigh injury, it's suddenly not so rosy for the men in green.
Japanese eyes are smiling though, and the supporters of fellow pool nations Scotland and Manu Samoa probably just got a lot more interested and in fact that should go for the rugby world in general. Attack is king; long live attack.
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