Eddie Keogh

Japan's Christchurch-raised first five-eighths Kosei Ono and head coach Eddie Jones celebrate victory over South Africa at the Rugby World Cup in Brighton.

Christchurch-raised Kosei Ono is keen to continue to play his part in Japan's rugby rise but plans to eventually call New Zealand home.

The 28-year-old was born in Nagoya, but moved to Christchurch at the age of three and is one of six graduates from the Christchurch Boy's High School international first five-eighths factory-line.

Ono played a pivotal role in Japan's Rugby World Cup upset win over South Africa and his delight was there for all to see in pitch-side photograph with coach Eddie Jones and Kiwi Karne Hesketh, who scored The match-winning try.

Asked if the 34-32 win over the Springboks was the highlight of his career, Ono said: "It's a hard question to answer. It feels surreal, and I suppose it's something we will reflect back on when we hang the boots up.

"I don't think anyone realises the enormity of what we've done because were are all focused on [playing] Scotland."

Ono insists Japan's win over the 'Boks was no overnight success, but the culmination of four years assiduous planning by Jones, who he rates as "the most detailed coach you could get".

But it's a dream come true for Ono, whose ties to Christchurch are so strong that he came home last year to play some club rugby for High School Old Boys, a club which has also hosted his Japan team-mates, hooker Shota Horie and No 8 Hendrik Tuli.

His father operates the Ono Sports Clinic in Avonhead and the Ono family settled here around 25 years ago. 

Kosei went to Avonhead Primary School and was "six or seven when my mate's old man asked me to go down and play club rugby at Burnside".

He had five valuable years in the Christchurch Boy's High School rugby system, culminating in a two-year stint in the first XV.

The Boy's High side was unbeaten in his final year, 2004. "We drew the national final against Wesley College."

His CBHS team-mates included current All Blacks first five-eighth Colin Slade and tighthead prop Owen Franks, who won RWC winners medals in 2011.

Ono played second five-eighth outside Slade that season, and said he enjoyed "having a catch up with Owen Franks" when Japan hosted the All Blacks in a test in Tokyo in 2013.

After school, Ono played a year of colts rugby with HSOB and a season of senior footy at New Brighton.

He was planning to complete his physical education degree at the University of Canterbury before venturing overseas, but "got the opportunity to go over to Japan in 2007 and be involved in the 2007 Rugby World Cup."

His path from club rugby in Christchurch to the World Cup stage "happened within six months".

After the RWC tournament he signed for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues where he spent five years and played alongside Hesketh, the ex-Otago NPC wing.

He switched to his current club, Suntory Goliath in 2012, playing his first season under Jones' coaching before the former Wallabies boss moved into the Japan national coaching role."I'm in my fourth year at Suntory. I play with [Springboks] Schalk Burger and Fourie du Preez there. We are really good mates."

Ono has forged a fine understanding with halfback du Preez and made the Top League team of the season in 2012 and 2013.

He missed selection for the 2011 Rugby World Cup with Shaun Webb, the former CBHS pivot, one of the first fives preferred by Japan's Kiwi coach John Kirwan.

But Jones recalled Ono in 2012, more than four years after his last cap, and the Christchurch product has played virtually every test since and now has around 30 caps.

Ono said beating the 'Boks was four years in the making. 

"Since Eddie has been coaching, he's been saying we have one chance at history."

Ono said Japan's "reputation as the Brave Blossoms" was evidenced by their ability to "come back from 20 points behind. It's been the trademark of the team."

He said: "You don't beat a team like South Africa by a fluke".

"Under Eddie, we've beaten Wales and Italy and we came pretty close to beating the Maori All Blacks last year. So there was belief within the team."

Ono said there was also a resolve to go to the Rugby World Cup and win a game for the first time since 1991.

"We knew we would only get to play the Springboks once and we needed to step up and make sure we leave something behind."

But he said while it was a great feeling to topple a team of South Africa's stature, the Brave Blossoms haven't lost sight of their bigger goal.

Jones joined his players on the pitch at Brighton and quietly implored them to "enjoy it and celebrate" the South African victory. But he also reminded them "the dream is the quarterfinals; that's been the long-term goal," Ono said. 

He said the team were able to enjoy the moment, but the short turn-around before Thursday's crucial clash with Scotland, meant they quickly re-focused and were physically and mentally ready to face Vern Cotter's Scottish team.

Ono believes Japanese rugby is now on the cusp of something special with a Japan team set to join the Super Rugby ranks next year and the nation due to host the next Rugby World Cup tournament in 2019.

Japan's Top League professional competition is "getting better every year with the amount of resources they are putting into developing the game".

"There's a lot of foreign influence, but the Japanese players have been willing to change the way they train and the nature of the game we play."

Ono said the Rugby World Cup tournament was "a global showpiece" which provided opportunities for players to further their careers.

He's happy in Japan, but would "never say never" to playing back in New Zealand one day.

"When I finish playing rugby, I am going to live in New Zealand with my family."

But that's a long way off yet. Playing in 2019 RWC tournament in Japan "would be unreal", he admitted.  But that's a long way off. There's that quarter-final spot to secure yet.

 - Stuff