- Title: After 10 year wait, hosts Japan ready to face Russia in World Cup opener
- Date: 18th September 2019
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (SEPTEMBER 18, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** JAPAN TEAM STRETCHING DURING GYM SESSION FLYHALF YU TAMURA STRETCHING HOOKER SHOTA HORIE STRETCHING CAPTAIN MICHAEL LEITCH STRETCHING VARIOUS OF PLAYERS STRETCHING HORIE STRETCHING FORWARD WIMPIE VAN DER WALT STRETCHING JAPAN HEAD COACH JAMIE JOSEPH ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE JOSEPH SEATED NEWS CONFERENCE STARTING (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPAN HEAD COACH, JAMIE JOSEPH, SAYING: "I never considered us to be the favourites, simply because of what you were saying, we have never been the favourites. Thankfully I don't read the Japanese newspapers because I don't understand kanji so that doesn't affect me personally. We have got a lot of respect for Russia and we were very lucky to win the last time we played Russia." BRAVE BLOSSOMS LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPAN HEAD COACH, JAMIE JOSEPH, SAYING: "I will say that the players are really excited, they have been waiting a long time, like everybody has in Japan for the day to arrive, which is, as I've said, only a couple of days away. Everybody feels relaxed at the moment. The training today was particularly accurate, which is a really good sign. Even though weather-wise there was quite a bit of rain here, the accuracy and certainly the intent was where we wanted it to be." PROP ASAELI AI VALU STRETCHING LOCK ISILEI NAKAJIMA STRETCHING CENTRE TIMOTHY LAFAELE AND PLAYERS STRETCHING ON FLOOR LAFAELE STRETCHING (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPAN HEAD COACH, JAMIE JOSEPH, SAYING: "Mano (Loman Lemeki), last time when he played Tonga, we felt he played reasonably well but there were opportunities he could have created for others and his decision making was a wee bit off. I felt that night that he decided he wanted to penetrate and attack by himself. So we need players who have the skills to be able to do that but also create for others. But he has learned that and he knows he has got an opportunity." VARIOUS OF PLAYERS EXERCISING WITH FOAM CUSHIONS FLANKER PIETER LABUSHAGNE EXERCISING LEITCH AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPAN CAPTAIN, MICHAEL LEITCH, SAYING: "But I am very, very proud to be the captain of the Japanese rugby team. I know we have got a very diverse side with a lot of foreign influence and Japanese rugby is getting better each year. So, I am very, very proud to be part of the World Cup and to be their captain." VARIOUS OF PLAYERS EXERCISING WITH FOAM CUSHIONS (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAPAN CAPTAIN, MICHAEL LEITCH, SAYING: "Well, in 2015, everyone expected us to lose. Even the Japanese public expected us to lose. So when we beat South Africa all eyes were on us, so the next game against Scotland we had 30 million people watching Japan versus Scotland. Although we lost, you know, we inspired Japan and this time round, at a home World Cup, we have got an opportunity to inspire Japan again." FOOT ON FOAM CUSHION PLAYERS LEAVING TRAINING SESSION NUMBER EIGHT AMANAKI LELEI MAFI LEAVING SESSION LEITCH LEAVING SESSION
- Embargoed: 2nd October 2019 08:23
- Keywords: Japan Russia World Cup Japan 2019 Jamie Joseph Michael Leitch Rugby Union
- Location: TOKYO, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Rugby Union,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001AX6N7LR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:With the weight of an expectant nation on their shoulders and a governing body desperate for the hosts to succeed in the first Rugby World Cup in Asia, Japan will head into the tournament opener on Friday (September 20) under arguably more pressure than any other team.
Fortunately, Japan head coach Jamie Joseph probably couldn't have picked a better match-up to begin their campaign as they prepare to face Russia, ranked 20th in the world and making only their second World Cup finals appearance, at Tokyo Stadium on Friday.
Japan now see themselves as too good for many of the other Tier Two nations and are looking to disrupt the established world order by reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Although results against other Pool A opponents Ireland, Scotland and Samoa will likely define Japan's World Cup campaign, a big opening win in front of an expected record television audience will build belief that history can be made.
Joseph has been quick to dismiss the favourites tag ahead of Friday, pointing out that Japan only managed to sneak a 32-27 win when they faced Russia in November.
"I never consider us to be the favourites, simply because… we have never been the favourites," Joseph said on Wednesday (September 18).
Japan will have to play on Friday without two of their key players - winger Kenki Fukuoka and loose forward Amanaki Mafi - after the pair failed to recover from injury in time.
Both players sustained injuries in the loss to South Africa earlier this month.
Fukuoka, who has scored 21 tries in 34 tests, went down with a calf injury early in that game whilst Mafi later suffered a shoulder injury.
Joseph has selected maverick Lomano Lemeki as Fukuoka's replacement and is hoping the 30-year-old has learnt from an erratic display in the recent win over Tonga.
(Production: Jack Tarrant) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None