Japan flanker Hare Makiri has dismissed the critics who claim maulings of the sort Australia handed out to his side are unhealthy for the image of rugby.

The Wallabies ran in 13 tries in a 91-3 thrashing of the Cherry Blossoms in the Pool B opener in Lyon, and the gulf in class and power between the two sides was noticeable.

Many believe the World Cup, which has 20 participants this year, should feature less teams, in order to increase the competitiveness of the tournament.

That could mean leaving out the likes of Japan, who have won just one game in the six World Cups they have been involved in.

Makiri, a New Zealand-born flanker who yesterday made his 18th appearance for his adopted country, believes that would be a wrong move for rugby chiefs to make.

The 29-year-old told PA Sport: ``These World Cups are the best thing that could happen to us.

``We are getting exposure. There's always something you can take out of a game, they are never pointless.

``It's a bit overwhelming but playing against Australia is a chance you only get once in a lifetime.

``They are a world-class team, but there were more positives than negatives to come out of it.''

Makiri's is an interesting case. Six years ago, he received a phone call from a Kiwi coach in Japan, asking him whether he would like to uproot and experience life in the Far East.

Makiri, who was playing for Super 12 outfit The Chiefs at the time, was given a week to think about it.

He did not need that long and, after talking to his wife, he took the plunge and decided to move to Japan with his young family.

He was playing for the national team within two years, and admits he could not be happier.

``It was the best decision I have ever made. I have absolutely no regrets,'' added the back-row forward, who has three children.

``After playing in Japan for six years and being brought up in the Japanese culture, every time I put the jersey on, I now get quite emotional.''

Makiri, who plays for Fukuoka Sanix Blues - one of 14 professional teams in Japan's top flight - feels it is only a matter of time before the country becomes competitive in world rugby.

That notion may appear hard to believe after yesterday's defeat to the Wallabies, but that was Japan's second team and the domestic game is making huge progress.

``Each side in Japan has four or five top-quality foreigners that have been brought in, mainly from New Zealand and Australia,'' he added.

``An academy started this year, and there is more and more money being ploughed into development and coaching. There are links between universities and club teams.

``The competition has improved so much with the foreigners coming into the country and with the Japanese getting used to playing these foreigners.

``The level of rugby has improved dramatically so we just need to transfer that onto the international stage.

``What the public don't see is the passion and the willingness to win a game that the boys show in training. It's just unfortunate that we can't always put it out on the pitch and give it back to all the supporters who have flown out all this way.

``The Japanese just want to learn all the time, and whoever puts the jersey on is willing to die for the country.''

Japan coach John Kirwan, who will play his big guns in the winnable game against Fiji on Wednesday, backed up Makiri's words.

``I still believe the future of the game is in Asia,'' said the former New Zealand winger, a World Cup winner in 1987.

``Some people have said less teams is the answer. That is wrong.

``Stirling Mortlock and Lote Tuqiri came into the dressing room after the game and that is good for my players.

``The future is in Asia. That's where the game needs to grow. If we are going to change the structure of World Cup, we need to make it grow around the world.

``You can't train for games like these (against Australia), you have to live them.''