Eddie Jones, the head coach of Japan’s rugby team, has declared their intention to take on the All Blacks using a high-speed game strategy throughout the full 80-minute match at Yokohama’s International Stadium on Saturday. Although Japan’s Brave Blossoms have yet to secure a win against New Zealand after five encounters, they came closest to a victory two years ago in Tokyo, with a narrow defeat of 38-31.
Jones expressed his team’s aim at a press conference on Thursday, after selecting his team members. They intend to compete aggressively right from the start against New Zealand, asserting their unique play style non-stop for the entire match duration.
According to Jones, to compete with New Zealand, readiness to confront them head-on is crucial. He believes that, similar to all globally renowned teams, New Zealand can be pressurised by a direct approach. The Japanese team aims to pressurise them using their combined quickness right from the match’s commencement.
Jones’s named substitutes include five forwards, indicating a probable physical duel against the largely unseasoned but robust pack of All Blacks chosen by Scott Robertson the previous Tuesday.
The squad shows five changes from the team which lost 41-17 to Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup’s final game last month, with the notably thrilling young player, Yoshitaka Yazaki, returning as fullback. Fijian-born Jone Naikabula is back as the starting right-wing and ex-captain Kazuki Himeno re-enters as the openside flanker, replacing Kanji Shimokawa.
The team will be led by Harumichi Tatekawa, and new entrants, loosehead prop Opeti Helu and outhalf Takuro Matsunaga, will make their first Test appearances as substitutes. Coach Jones spoke highly of their pre-game performance, explaining that they are the 18th and 19th new entrants of the current season, indicating a period of change. But Jones emphasised the import of performance over transition in this impending game.
Jones acknowledged that Japan may not have possession of the ball for much of the game against the globally renowned New Zealand team, implying the necessity for aggressive and unified defence.
Jones declared that the upcoming match is the ultimate challenge, where they need to maintain their performance over 80 minutes. He voiced his confidence in the team, believing they are ready for Japan’s greatest game against New Zealand. The players have been preparing for this incredible opportunity.
The Japanese team includes: Yoshitaka Yazaki, Jone Naikabula, Dylan Riley, Nicholas McCurran, Malo Tuitama, Harumichi Tatekawa (captain), Shinobu Fujiwara, Takato Okabe, Atsushi Sakate, Shuhei Takeuchi, Sanaila Waqa, Warner Dearns, Amato Fakatava, Kazuki Himeno and Faulua Makisi. The substitutes are: Mamoru Harada, Takayoshi Mohara, Opeti Helu, Epeneri Uluiviti, Kanji Shimokawa, Taiki Koyama, Tomoki Osada, Takuro Matsunaga.
Representing New Zealand are: Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Billy Proctor, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Tele’a, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard, Tamaiti Williams, Asafo Aumua, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), Samipeni Finau, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi. On the bench they’ll have: George Bell, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Josh Lord, Peter Lakai, TJ Perenara, David Havili, Ruben Love.
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