Japan wing Yamada reveals bizarre fish sting injury
Injuries are part and parcel of rugby union, but Japan's Akihito Yamada was subject to a particularly peculiar setback.
What started as a nice relaxing swim to recover from one of the greatest Rugby World Cup upsets in history resulted in one of the tournament's most bizarre injuries for Japan's Akihito Yamada.
The winger was a part of the team that shocked two-time World Cup winners South Africa in a 34-32 victory last weekend, but he was absent for Wednesday's defeat against Scotland.
Yamada was unavailable for selection after being stung by a weever fish when swimming off the sea in Brighton during a recovery session.
The swelling on the fourth toe of his left foot meant he was unable to wear a shoe until Thursday, and has left Yamada vowing to never go in the sea again.
"The day after the South Africa game, when we were doing our recovery in the sea, I got stung by a fish," Yamada said.
"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 is now ready to return for Japan's third Pool B match against Samoa next Saturday, and is hopeful that the attention the team have received from their Springboks upset can continue to grow the game back home.
"I finally feel good again. I'm not hurting anywhere now," he added. "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."