SYDNEY -- Japan coach Shogo Mukai and a number of his staff will bid the national team farewell on Monday when the Cherry Blossoms take on the U.S. in Gosford in their final game at the Rugby World Cup.

Having won over this sport-loving nation with their heroics and free-spirited rugby in their opening two games against Scotland and France, the Japanese were brought down to earth on Thursday against Fiji, unable to give their North Queensland fans and the hundreds who had flown over from Japan the win they had craved for.

And Mukai, who has already said he will be standing down after the World Cup, will have his work cut out if he is to lift his squad and give it the win that so many rugby followers feel it deserves.