author

 
 
 Andrew MCKIRDY

Meta

Twitter

@Andrew_McKirdy

Andrew MCKIRDY
Andrew McKirdy is a sports writer for The Japan Times. His main beat is soccer, but he has also covered rugby, tennis, volleyball, golf and even tug-of-war. A native of the Scottish Borders, he has written for The Scotsman newspaper and organized filming for a program on Japanese soccer for ITV television.
Japan Times
LIFE / Lifestyle
Nov 30, 2019
Step up to the plate: Breaking world records in Japan
Have you ever wondered what it must feel like to be the best in the world at something?
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 3, 2019
World champion Springboks hope victory will inspire nation
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus expressed hope that his team's victory in the Rugby World Cup final against England on Saturday can inspire his nation, but dismissed the notion that the Springboks were under pressure at the tournament.
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 2, 2019
South Africa 32, England 12: Springboks take home RWC trophy for third time
South Africa lifted the Rugby World Cup for the third time after a clinical 32-12 victory over England in Saturday's final.
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 2, 2019
Steve Hansen says World Cup pain will fuel All Blacks
Outgoing New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen warned the rest of the rugby world to expect a backlash from the dethroned Rugby World Cup champions over the next four years, after leading the All Blacks to a third-place finish on Friday night.
Japan Times
Rugby
Nov 1, 2019
New Zealand hammers Wales in bronze-medal match
New Zealand claimed third place at the Rugby World Cup with a 40-17 win over Wales on Friday night.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 31, 2019
England coach Eddie Jones makes no changes for Rugby World Cup final
England head coach Eddie Jones has warned Rugby World Cup final opponent South Africa that his team is capable of improving on last week's semifinal destruction of two-time defending champion New Zealand when the two sides meet in Yokohama on Saturday.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 30, 2019
Springboks keeping eyes on prize ahead of RWC final
South Africa's Rugby World Cup players know how much lifting the trophy for a third time on Saturday would mean to their country — but they are looking no further than final opponent England.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 28, 2019
Triumphant Springboks carrying national pride into Rugby World Cup final
South Africa's Rugby World Cup players are hoping an "inspirational" groundswell of support back home can help them lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a third time this coming Saturday, after booking their place in the final on Sunday with a nerve-shredding win over Wales.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 27, 2019
South Africa outlasts Wales in semifinal thriller to reach Rugby World Cup final
Handre Pollard slotted a penalty with four minutes remaining to send South Africa into the Rugby World Cup final after a nail-biting 19-16 win over Wales on Sunday.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 27, 2019
Ice-cold England channels inner peace to reach Rugby World Cup final
England captain Owen Farrell credited his team's Zen-like inner peace for carrying it into the Rugby World Cup final after ending New Zealand's eight-year reign as champion on Saturday night.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 26, 2019
England ends All Blacks' reign in Rugby World Cup
England ended New Zealand's reign as Rugby World Cup champion in the semifinals on Saturday, beating the All Blacks 19-7 to reach the final for the first time since 2007.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 25, 2019
England players united for battle with All Blacks
England fullback Elliot Daly says his team is more united than ever as it prepares to face New Zealand in Saturday's Rugby World Cup semifinal.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 25, 2019
Springboks will rely on pack against Wales
South Africa standoff Handre Pollard believes his team's backs have the pace and skill to trouble Wales in Sunday's Rugby World Cup semifinal — if they can get the ball off their forward teammates for long enough.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 24, 2019
Coach Steve Hansen says pressure is on his All Blacks — but on England too
New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen on Thursday brushed off attempts to add spice to his team's Rugby World Cup semifinal against England, dismissing claims of spying by England head coach Eddie Jones as "clickbait."
Japan Times
JAPAN
Oct 23, 2019
Fans toast beer hawkers' debut at Rugby World Cup
Dilemma: You are watching a Rugby World Cup game at a stadium and you fancy a beer, but you don't want to take your eyes off the action.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 23, 2019
Wales hopes to reach first final by matching Springboks' physicality
Wales hooker Ken Owens says his team is ready to stand up to South Africa's physical might and fight fire with fire when the two teams meet in Sunday's Rugby World Cup semifinal.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 21, 2019
Brave Blossoms rue quarterfinal exit, but take pride in their Rugby World Cup heroics
Japan's Rugby World Cup players expressed mixed feelings as their incredible campaign came to an end with a quarterfinal defeat to South Africa on Sunday, with pride in their achievements largely crowding out the disappointment.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 20, 2019
South Africa routs Japan to advance to Rugby World Cup semifinals
South Africa ended Japan's phenomenal run at the Rugby World Cup with a 26-3 win in Sunday night's quarterfinal.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 20, 2019
Barrett hails All Blacks' quick start in quarterfinal romp over Ireland
New Zealand star Beauden Barrett paid tribute to his team's ability to shake off the cobwebs in Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal demolition of Ireland, as the All Blacks returned from a two-week layoff to set up a semifinal showdown against England.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 19, 2019
New Zealand torches Ireland to reach Rugby World Cup semifinals
Two-time defending champion New Zealand cruised into a Rugby World Cup semifinal matchup against England after dismantling Ireland 46-14 on Saturday night.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?