Having reached new heights on the previous two tournaments, Japan face an uphill battle replicating their success at this yr’s Rugby World Cup in France.
Jamie Joseph’s males will deal with heavyweights England and Argentina in Pool D on the Sept. 8 to Oct. 28 World Cup and should beat a minimum of considered one of them to succeed in their objective of a second straight journey to the knockout stage.
They may even have to survive an at all times bruising encounter with Samoa and keep away from dropping factors towards first-time qualifiers Chile within the spherical robin, which they may begin with considerably much less preparation time than prior to now.
The Courageous Blossoms served discover to the rugby world in England in 2015 by upsetting giants South Africa in a match dubbed the “Brighton Miracle.” They made additional inroads 4 years in a while dwelling soil, advancing to their first quarterfinals after toppling conventional rugby nations Eire and Scotland within the pool stage.
(From L) Japan’s Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch and Keita Inagaki sing the nationwide anthem forward of a Rugby World Cup Pool A match towards Samoa on Oct. 5, 2019, in Toyota, central Japan. (Kyodo)
Earlier than each tournaments, the nationwide squad went into prolonged camps targeted solely on the World Cup. For 2019 in Japan, that they had a seven-month buildup with the additional advantage of the Joseph-coached Tremendous Rugby crew Sunwolves serving as a digital coaching facet for the Courageous Blossoms.
This time round, they may have below 4 months from the top of the Japanese membership rugby playoffs till the World Cup, having performed fewer high-level video games within the four-year interim as a result of COVID-19 pandemic and dissolution of the Tokyo-based Sunwolves.
The condensed timeframe makes the home competitors, now in its second season below its Japan Rugby League One rebranding, extra necessary to worldwide gamers than ever, in keeping with prop Keita Inagaki, a member of the defending champion Saitama Wild Knights.
“We’ve got to take care of the talents, bodily situation and mentality wanted to tackle the world,” stated Inagaki, whose membership is prone to as soon as once more be concerned till late within the postseason.
Inagaki, a veteran of the previous two World Cup campaigns, stated Japan’s success trusted elaborate game-planning and being higher drilled than their greater, extra bodily worldwide opponents.
“If we play simple rugby just like the stronger nations, we’ll lose out bodily,” he stated. “Every participant wants a deep understanding of his position, and that does not develop as quickly as you get collectively.”
Japan’s Atsushi Sakate (L) runs with the ball alongside Ryoto Nakamura throughout the second half of a rugby match towards Australia A on Oct. 8, 2022, in Fukuoka. (Kyodo)
Inagaki’s Wild Knights teammate Atsushi Sakate is ready to captain Japan at a World Cup for the primary time after taking the reins final yr. The 29-year-old hooker has large sneakers to fill as he follows within the footsteps of predecessor Michael Leitch, who was an inspirational determine in 2015 and 2019.
Sakate has thus far appeared as much as the duty whereas captaining his nation in check matches towards Uruguay, France, New Zealand and England in 2022. Whereas their solely wins got here in a two-test sweep of the South Individuals, the Courageous Blossoms gave each the visiting Bleus and All Blacks a scare in Tokyo.
A lopsided loss to England at Twickenham in November, in the meantime, was a extra sobering reminder of rugby’s world order.
“It was an incredible expertise having the ability to play matches towards one of the best groups,” Sakate stated.
World No. 10 Japan haven’t crushed a higher-ranked nation because the 2019 World Cup, however sturdy showings by a few of their rising gamers towards top-class opponents are cause for optimism.
Lee Seung Sin of Japan kicks a penalty throughout the first half of a rugby check match towards France on Nov. 20, 2022, in Toulouse, France. (Kyodo)
Amongst these to have made their mark are flyhalf Lee Seung Sin and scrumhalf Naoto Saito, who marshalled the assault in a carefully fought 20-15 defeat to France within the second of two July assessments.
“I developed the mindset that I can do it,” 21-year-old Kobe Steelers star Lee stated.
New Zealand-born Warner Dearns was additionally a standout for the Courageous Blossoms in his second yr as a global. The 201-centimeter lock produced one of many highlights of Japan’s 38-31 loss to the All Blacks in October, charging down a kick to attain a second-half attempt that gave the hosts a shot at a historic upset.
Though now not captain, the 34-year-old Leitch stays an integral member of the nationwide squad, offering management on and off the sector forward of his fourth World Cup.
The Courageous Lupus Tokyo again rower has undertaken intensive rehabilitation for groin and knee accidents to be able to return to rugby’s greatest stage.
Michael Leitch (C) of Japan pulls away from a deal with throughout the first half of their rugby check match towards New Zealand at Tokyo’s Nationwide Stadium on Oct. 29, 2022. (Kyodo)
“Folks round me say this can be my final (World Cup) however I am not going to say it’s going to undoubtedly be my final,” stated Leitch, who feels absolutely match as he approaches a profession milestone.
“Solely a choose group of individuals can obtain (4 World Cups). I am within the type of my life.”
Whereas Japan will accomplish their said objective in the event that they attain the final eight once more in France, Leitch desires his teammates to set their sights increased.
“I’ve a dream of Japan successful (the World Cup),” he stated. “We are able to do it sometime if we improve the variety of gamers who intention for it. I need to go for it.”
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