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Borthwick's 'up the mountains outside Tokyo' induction with Japan
Steve Borthwick has retained vivid memories of his unusual mountainside introduction to Japanese rugby. The current England head coach began his coaching career in 2014 after he finished playing at Saracens, taking up Eddie Jones’ offer to assist the Japanese in the lead-up to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
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Eight years later, having succeeded Jones as the England boss last winter, Borthwick is now set to coach against Japan at the World Cup this Sunday night in Nice.
Ahead of that Pool D rendezvous on the French Riviera, Borthwick has reflected on his time helping the Japanese which culminated in the famed Miracle of Brighton – the ambushing of the Springboks at the finals in England.
“I learned a huge amount from my experience over there,” admitted Borthwick about his two-year coaching apprenticeship in Japan. “The overriding memories are the incredible hospitality, generosity, friendliness of the Japanese people who welcomed me and my family into Japan.
“The players worked so very hard and were so passionate about Japanese rugby. It’s an incredible place.
“One of the first camps after I moved, we went up to the mountains outside Tokyo in the summer. Every flat piece of ground was a rugby pitch and teams were going training there through the summer as it was a bit cooler up in the mountains.
“They stayed in the ski resorts there in the middle of the summer and the players at altitude worked like I had never seen players work. It was an incredible welcome for me into Japanese rugby and into the Japanese way of doing things.
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“I have a very strong link; I was very privileged to live in Tokyo for a couple of years. Japan is a very special place and the Japan team is a very special team. Now, for England going into this game, we know we are going to have to defend exceptionally well.
“With the ball movement of the Japan team is exceptional and they test you in a way that most other teams don’t test you so we have prepared thoroughly for that this week. I feel the team is really well prepared. I think the team is energised and excited for going out there on Sunday night.”
While England were busy winning their opening match at the 2023 World Cup in Marseille last weekend against Argentina, Japan were taking care of business versus Chile in Toulouse.
“I thought that Japan played in the way that Japan has played over the last eight years really, the Japan way,” surmised Borthwick.
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“The ball speed is fast, they move the ball, they have tremendously skilled players and added to that they have a real threat around the set-piece, scoring off the back of the lineout, breaks off the back of the lineout.
“We saw a very good team and you look at this coaching team that has been with them for eight years now really, over two World Cup cycles, and you can see that identity in the team.”
Foremost in that identity is the longevity in the back row of talisman Michael Leith. “He is a tremendous player,” Borthwick volunteered. “I was privileged to work with him in the build-up to the 2015 World Cup.
“He is a really intelligent player and he is at the very heart of everything that is good about Japanese rugby. He is a man who I have tremendous respect for. I think he is an excellent player. That doesn’t change the fact we want to make sure we outperform them on Sunday night, but he is a tremendous player.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
1 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
3 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
6 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
6 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
6 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to commentsWe only have 12 teams - and probably should only have 10. If we cut it down to 10, had a single round robin format, and only had semi-finals and a grand final, the final game would be on the first weekend of May. Meanwhile the AFL (similar to the NRL) runs until the last weekend of September and starts almost a full month after Super Rugby. At least the players would get plenty of rest!
6 Go to commentsAs article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
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