Japan player ratings vs Chile | Rugby World Cup 2023
Japan player ratings: The scoreline might trick you into thinking Japan were brilliant today. They were anything but. A disjointed performance was made to look much better by an inflated scorecard. Chile gave as good as they got but ran out of steam. Better teams won’t succumb to the same problems and Japan will have to find a higher gear as quickly as they can. Still. A win is a win and as things stand the Brave Blossoms are top of their pool.
15 – Semisi Masirewa – 5
Too many aimless kicks and not enough contributions with ball in hand means Japan’s full-back cops a disappointing score. Was rightly hooked on 55 minutes for Lomano Lemeki.
14 – Kataro Matsushima – 7
One of the world’s most dangerous runners with the ball proved his value when he got it. He wasn’t blistering throughout but did show enough menace to give Steve Borthwick something to think about this week. Beat a couple off defenders with some nifty footwork too.
13 – Dylan Riley – 6
A largely quiet match that saw him yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on as Chile were attacking down the right wing. That he didn’t play a single pass tells a story.
12 – Ryoto Nakamura – 6
Struggled to make a dent on defence, missing four of the five tackles he was asked to make. But he did score a neat try when he joined the line and cut a delicious angle against the grain off the back of a scrum.
11 – Jone Naikabula – 7
Some busting runs from the wing, he was largely kept quiet. Still, with 47 metres made he was the most prolific Japanese player according to that metric.
10 – Rikiya Matsuda – 7
Accurate off the tee and controlled when kicking from hand. Perhaps should take some criticism for his side’s disjointed backline performance, but kept the scoreboard ticking over.
9 – Yutaka Nagare – 5
A lack of cohesion across the pitch is surely a blight on the scrum-half. Was noticeable when he made way for Naoto Saito on the hour mark.
1 – Keita Inagaki – 5
Japan’s scrum struggled both in the shove and when forming before the feed. Not the best show on his 50th appearance for his country. Replaced by Craig Millar on 57 minutes.
2 – Atshushi Sakate – 5
Japan’s set-piece was a bit of a mess. Their line-out didn’t function and their maul was all over the place. Sakate’s hand in both areas was conspicuous by its absence. Subbed for Shota Horie on 49 minutes.
3 – Jiwon Gu – 5
Copped a nasty blow to his knee when he was hit late without the ball. Still, when he was on the pitch he lacked that necessary grunt up front. Replaced at half time for Asaeli Ai Valu.
4 – Amanaki Saumaki – 6
Missed only one tackle from 12 attempts he stood firm when Chile gained steam in the first half. Subbed for Warner Dearns on 54 minutes,
5 – Amato – Fakatava – 8
Two first half tries were just reward for the towering lock who was industrious throughout the piece. He beat two defenders, carried for 26 metres and made 17 tackles. Though the Japanese maul spluttered at times, their No 5 remained imperious.
6 – Michael Leitch – 8
The former skipper’s presence wasn’t always noticeable, but when he stepped forward to pinch the ball or make an important tackle his contributions were noteworthy. One tackle in particular on a Chilean counter attack cut down Domingo Saavedra and brought a halt to a counter attack that looked destined to end in a try.
7 – Kanji Shimokawa – 6
Contributed around the park. But for a flanker that’s hardly glowing praise. Will need to show more next week when he takes on England. Replaced on 49 minutes for Shots Fukui.
8 – Jack Cornelsen – 7
Three line-out steals underlined his versatility as he also contributed with a couple of set-piece wins on his own team’s throw. He provided some heft around the pitch with impressive carries and a slew of tackles in the energy-sapping heat.
16 – Shota Hoire – 6
A slick off-load in the first half was a standout moment for a Japanese front-rower.
17 – Craig Millar – 6
Improved the scrum when he came on but didn’t exactly monster his opposite number.
18 – Asaeli Ai Valu – 6
Like Millar, helped improve things at set-piece when he joined the party.
19 – Warner Dearns – 7
Some big carries when things slowed down as a consequence of the heat. Scored a try as well to cap off a handy cameo from the bench.
20 – Shota Fukui – 6
Kept his lane clear from Chilean runners. Stood firm in the heat without making the game his own.
21 – Naoto Saito – 6
Improved control at the base of the ruck when he came on. Some neat kicks round the corner might have earned him a starting berth for England.
22 – Took Osada – 6
Didn’t see much of the ball but injected a bit of gas when he came on just after the hour mark.
23 – Lomano Lemeki – 6
Fared better than the man he replaced. Still, England won’t fear either of Japan’s fullbacks and will likely test them with continuous high balls when given the chance.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments