ON-FIELD REACTION
Martin Sigren, captain:
On his reaction to the defeat:
“We gave it everything and we can be proud of our performance. We gave a good fight, maybe not right to the last minute, but we really enjoyed it, which is a really important part of it as well.
“There were little opportunities that you have to take advantage of and that is where we lost it.”
On facing Samoa next on Saturday, 16 September:
“It will be a physical battle and we need to let our bodies recover. It will be a short week compared to this one but we have to get ready.”
Pablo Lemoine, head coach:
On his team’s performance:
“It was tough but I think it was a great start. It is difficult when you play your first game of a World Cup, especially against Japan. They are a team with a lot of ambition.
“We were OK for 60 minutes but in the last 20 minutes we missed some experience to manage the game and Japan were amazing with their efficiency.”
MEDIA CONFERENCE
Pablo Lemoine, head coach
On his pride in the players on Chile’s Rugby World Cup debut:
“We are always proud because I know where they come from. It was very emotional for me. Many countries will understand that we are ready for the World Cup and we are there. So I was proud and I have always been proud. But today, I think we created a new image, a great one.”
Martin Sigren, captain
On Chile making their Rugby World Cup debut:
“Seeing all the Chilean people, we understood why we worked so hard. We should be proud.”
On the two yellow cards and whether they were the turning point of the game:
“They scored a lot at the end of the game. There was an impact but we struggled physically in the end of the game, maybe because we fought for 20 minutes with 14.”
On his thoughts on Japan:
“We fought hard. The Japan team were what we expected – fast, seeing opportunity and managing the ball. But defence-wise we played well. We were able to hurt (them) and put pressure on their lines. We played until the last 20 minutes. Our hope gave more energy to the game.”
On what he felt in the game:
“A lot of emotions. It’s amazing to see your family in the stand. It’s difficult to describe it but I will never forget them.”
On the future for Chile rugby:
“This is a responsibility on us when we step on the pitch. We want to make rugby popular because football is at the moment. This World Cup may help, we don’t want this to be the first (and only) one. It wasn’t easy to qualify. We want this to happen in the future.”