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Japan have captured the world's hearts... and a host of future stars are primed to keep the ball rolling after 2019
It’s official, Brave Blossoms fever is taking over the rugby world. Japan’s clean sweep of Pool A at the World Cup has helped them knock off the likes of Fiji and Tonga as everyone’s favourite second team.
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Having delighted fans and pundits alike with not only their high-octane style of play but also their underdog victories over Ireland and Scotland, Jamie Joseph’s side are now preparing for a quarter-final with South Africa, the team they famously beat four years ago in Brighton.
When asked in a press conference on Friday whether or not his side would be drawing on that famous day on the English south coast, the New Zealander was unequivocal. “No, we won’t be drawing on that at all. In fact, I have been trying to forget about it for the last four years.
“Everyone talked about it but we are a different team, different players. Yes, we have got some same players but that was an amazing achievement at the last World Cup. We are working on our own things and we won’t be alluding to it.”
With the Japan team named for the quarter-final, only Shota Horie, Luke Thompson, Michael Leitch and Kotaro Matsushima retain their starting spots from the 2015 victory, while Fumiaki Tanaka, the starting scrum-half that day, drops to the bench. Keita Inagaki, Amanaki Mafi and Yu Tamura – all on the bench in Brighton – are also set to be involved on Sunday.
(Continue reading below…)
There are 13 entirely new players in the matchday 23 and Joseph’s point is an important one as there is inevitably plenty of change between World Cups with teams freshening up their squads with injections of new talent and/or changes in the coaching department bringing about a shift in game plan and the players required to fulfil it.
With Joseph reportedly close to agreeing terms on a contract extension, the latter seems less likely moving forward for the Blossoms, though the former is certainly a consideration.
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Here, RugbyPass takes a look below at a handful of players who can help Japan maintain their current success and step up to the senior side over the next World Cup cycle and further press their country’s case for inclusion in an annual tier one competition.
Sounds like cash is nothing compared to the memories Japan are making at World Cup 2019https://t.co/T3hRdZnepR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 17, 2019
Kosuke Horikoshi (hooker)
The 24-year-old front row is a natural long-term replacement for Horie, with the former Japanese captain set to turn 34 next year. He was unlucky to miss out on selection for this World Cup and although Atsushi Sakate has done an admirable job deputising for Horie, it’s a role that Horikoshi will have his eye on.
A graduate of Teikyo University and the Japanese under-20 pathway, Horikoshi is a reliable set-piece hooker who can help Japan maintain their efficient scrum while also being effective in the loose, if not quite the influential figure that Horie currently is.
Having spent a number of years in the university system, Horikoshi is one of the examples of high-end talents who would have perhaps been better served by entering the professional arena at a younger age, as he now makes up for lost time with Suntory Sungoliath.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doN5w4lTWrk
Halatoa Vailea, (winger/flanker)
Vailea was one of the Japan under-20s standout players last year in the World Rugby U20 Championship where he excelled as a winger, blending an impressive combination of speed and strength. This year, at the U20 Trophy competition, he moved to the flank and put in displays that were reminiscent of Tom Croft and Pierre Spies as he marauded his way through would-be tacklers.
He is more likely a winger at the senior level against more competitive opposition, something which could see him evolve into a player that can partner Matsushima in the back three, especially if Kenki Fukuoka goes ahead with his plans to turn his back on rugby and commit to becoming a doctor. He is another example of a player who should be playing professionally.
Shota Fukui (flanker)
If Joseph is looking for a successor to Leitch or Lappies Labuschagne for the next cycle, with both players currently in their 30s, he need look no further than current Japan under-20 captain Fukui. The Panasonic Wild Knight has eschewed the traditional university pathway in Japan and instead signed professional terms with his club side after he left school.
While that university pathway is the right move for many players, he has profited from going immediately into a professional environment and is a strong candidate to make the step up to the senior side as soon as next year.
Between Fukui and Kazuki Himeno, Japan and Joseph could have one of the most feared flanker pairings in world rugby moving forward, with the former blending his mobility and contact area work with the physicality of the current World Cup standout.
A few positional changes… (Special mention to the whole Japanese team) #RugbyWorldCup #rwc2019 pic.twitter.com/JdFW3AQBnD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 15, 2019
Tevita Tatafu (No8)
A contemporary of Horikoshi in the under-20s, Tatafu delivers ball-carrying, offloading and a menacing physical presence in the No8 jersey and his game has plenty of the hallmarks that have made Mafi one of the more dynamic players around.
Thankfully for Joseph, Tatafu does not seem to share Mafi’s proclivity for incidents and controversy off the pitch and his introduction alongside Himeno and Fukui would give Japan a great transition plan in the back row, as they say goodbye to the iconic figure of Leitch in the coming years.
Both Tatafu and Horikoshi having already made their debuts for the Blossoms and look set to be at the heart of the group’s preparation for the 2023 World Cup in France.
Honourable Mentions…
There is no lack of scrum-half talent coming through the ranks, with Atora Hondo and Shinobu Fujiwara knocking on the door, although it is difficult to see Yutaka Nagare giving up his spot anytime soon. Fly-half Takuya Yamasawa is rated highly in the country and could eventually replace Tamura as Japan’s primary playmaker, while Yuto Mori doesn’t lack for ability either.
One area that Japan have struggled to produce players in has been the second row, although that could be about to change with Itsuki Kodama looking like a particularly talented young lock. He could be joined by Katsuto Kubo, with both having impressed at the under-20 level. Finding a replacement for the talismanic Thompson will be one of Joseph’s first priorities after this World Cup.
WATCH: Jim Hamilton looks head to a massive weekend in the rugby calendar in the latest episode of Don’t Mess With Jim
Comments on RugbyPass
What a dagg in more ways than one
5 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
5 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
3 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
38 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to comments