Brave Blossoms star calls for Japanese inclusion in major international tournament
Brave Blossoms star Michael Leitch has called for the inclusion of Japan in a regular competition against tier one nations.
Speaking to worldwide media on a Japan Rugby League One conference call earlier this week, Leitch said regular fixtures against rugby’s elite teams is crucial both for the development of the game in Japan, and for the national team.
“In terms of national side, the more games we play against top tier one sides, the better we are going to get, so if we can get consistent games against the top sides in the world, it’ll be great for Japanese rugby,” he said.
“If we were to join a league where we get to play teams week-in, week-out that are very competitive, then that’s going to be great for Japanese rugby going forward.”
Arguments have been made that Japan merit inclusion in an annual, top-quality test competition like the Rugby Championship or Six Nations on the basis of their recent performances at the last two World Cups.
In 2015, the Brave Blossoms stunned the world by defeating the Springboks and became the only team in World Cup history to win three of their four pool matches and not qualify for the knockout stages.
Four years later, in a World Cup hosted on home soil, Jamie Joseph’s side beat Ireland and Scotland to top their pool and qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
Since then, there has been a persistent narrative Japan warrants inclusion in a major international tournament, although Leitch refrained from giving his input about whether the Rugby Championship is the most logical of those tournaments.
However, the 33-year-old loose forward reinforced his view that Japan need to continue to mix and mingle with the world’s best teams in order to continue their rapid development in the test arena.
In saying that, he made note that it is also Japan’s responsibility to help the growth of other emerging nations by playing them in test matches as well.
“If we go back 10 years, we had our Asian Five Nations, which was a great tournament on his own, but in terms of developing our own standards of play, we had to play opposition that were immensely stronger than us,” he said.
“We had a really long period of playing within tier two, occasionally against tier one, but the key for us going forward is to be able to keep playing those tier one games on a regular basis.
“At the same time, it’s Japanese responsibility to help other emerging nations grow in their preparations for other World Cups.
“For Japan going forward, the Japanese teams needs to keep playing against strong opposition.”
Leitch’s comments are reflected by Japan’s two-test series against Uruguay, who have qualified for next year’s World Cup in France, next month before staging two tests against Les Bleus in July.
Leitch said the upcoming matches against France, this year’s Six Nations Grand Slam champions who are widely considered as favourites for next year’s World Cup, will provide the Brave Blossoms with a stern test in the midst of Japan’s summer.
“First challenge would be the heat. It’s going to be extremely hot. July in Japan is one of the toughest times to play. It’s going to be wet, it’s going to be humid, so that’s one challenge,” he said.
“The second challenge is to be able to meet that physicality head-on.
“The French are very physical up front, so coming from a League One environment, coming into camp and then tyring to replicate what that physicality is going to look like is going to be a challenge for us going forward.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments