TOKYO — All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is not one to hand out praise freely. So, when he says he is happier facing Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals than playing Japan, you listen.His comments stand for all of rugby. Over the last few weeks, we’ve fallen in love with Japan all over again. They won our hearts in 2015 in that ‘miracle match’ when they knocked over South Africa on the opening weekend of that World Cup, but now with their eye-catching rugby and inherent selflessness they are everyone’s second team. But behind closed doors, before the start of the tournament, they wanted to prove they were more than just a one-off upset. They wanted to be an established, respected, top-eight side in their own right.When they woke up this past Monday morning after knocking off Scotland 28-21, they were ranked seventh in the world. But don’t for one minute think they are done. Their brilliant captain Michael Leitch hadn’t slept — he was already focusing on the next task. But for those lucky enough to be in the stands in Yokohama on Sunday night, it was like no other atmosphere in world rugby; they cheered scrum penalties…