Japan player ratings vs South Africa
Unfortunately for Japan, their quarter-final against South Africa proved to be a bridge too far for the World Cup hosts as they fell to a 26-3 defeat in Tokyo.
The Brave Blossoms have delighted fans the world over for the last month, but the power game of the Springboks, particularly in the second half, was too much for Jamie Joseph’s side to deal with. They had their moments, including in the scrum, but it was a domineering second half from South Africa.
RugbyPass has rated Japan’s players below in what was a valiant but disappointing end to their World Cup campaign.
- Ryohei Yamanaka – 7
Yamanaka’s positioning at the back was solid for Japan and, as the game went on, he became more involved as an attacking influencer. His footwork and soft hands helped find holes in the South African defence and link play with those around him.
- Kotaro Matsushima – 6
Not the most free-flowing attacking performance Matsushima will ever have, although his defensive and aerial work in a game as tight as this one was influential. He won a number of aerial contests, forced a knock-on in the tackle and was smart in the scramble defence, denying South Africa a try from a three-on-one in the first half.
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- Timothy Lafaele – 5.5
Lafaele had a couple of flashes of his slick handling and incisive carry-and-passing ability, though they were isolated to the first quarter of the match. He was kept quiet by the stranglehold the South African defence put on the 13 channel and made a couple of poor reads in defence.
- Ryoto Nakamura – 5.5
The inside centre interchanged with Yu Tamura on a couple of occasions to good effect and his soft hands created chances for the Blossoms. He drifted out of the game the longer it went on, though.
- Kenki Fukuoka – 6
Fukuoka’s speed and footwork were electric in Tokyo, albeit in the limited opportunities he got to showcase it. If Japan could have manufactured more space for Fukuoka in the first half, it could have been a different story.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1185956451208052736
- Yu Tamura – 4.5
It was a nightmare start for Tamura who was lucky his under-kicked cross-field kick wasn’t returned for a try. He also threw a forward pass and missed the tackle on Makazole Mapimpi for South Africa’s first try, all within the first five minutes. He had some effective moments with the ball in hand, although he was also guilty of overplaying at times.
- Yutaka Nagare – 6
Nagare pushed the tempo well and was clearly in charge of his pack throughout. He helped facilitate the incisive play of the Japanese back line with that tempo, although he didn’t take any of the increasing space himself.
- Keita Inagaki – 7
The loosehead contributed to an effective scrum against the Boks, including the quick hook on attacking ball. In the loose he showcased his good handling skills, regulary shifting the point of contact.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1185954686349840385
- Shota Horie – 5
Not the best game Horie will ever have at the set-piece, missing his jumpers on four occasions, though his hooking at the scrum was solid. He couldn’t quite get his game in the loose going, as he was generally met by powerful Springbok tackles as soon as he received the ball.
- Jiwon Koo – 7
After taking a bit of a shunting in the first scrum of the game, Koo went to work on the South African unit, including working a penalty of Steven Kitshoff. He was a willing carrier, too, as he helped Japan stay competitive in the power stakes close to the ruck.
- Luke Thompson – 6
The lock contributed at the lineout and in the defensive line, without it being one of his more influential performances.
https://twitter.com/RugbyPass/status/1185893273803591680
- James Moore – 6
Moore was the primary jumper at defensive lineouts for Japan and given the success the Springboks had with the driving maul, the lock’s ability to disrupt on two or three throws was important for Japan.
- Michael Leitch – 7.5
A typically industrious and all-action performance from Japan’s talismanic back rower. He was the primary carrying and lineout option for the Blossoms, as well as contributing heavily at the breakdown and offloading to keep phases alive and stretch the South African defence.
- Lappies Labuschagne – 7
With Leitch and Kazuki Himeno given licence to roam, Labuschagne helped shore up Japan offensively and defensively in the tighter confines. He wasn’t able to impact in attack too strongly, though the physicality of his tackling, including a rip in contact, were vital for Japan.
- Kazuki Himeno – 6.5
Himeno was one of the few Japanese forwards to engage South Africa in the power game. He had moments of success and failure in that, although it was a solid performance in general, with his handling skills and work rate suiting Japan’s high-tempo game.
Join @jimhamilton4 as he gives his alternative commentary of the #JPNvRSA match ????
Link – https://t.co/RBuRSUjLvC#RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/xNhdfzV0k1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 20, 2019
Replacements
- Atsushi Sakate – N/A
Didn’t have long enough on the field to impact the game, unfortunately.
- Isileli Nakajima – 5
Was given a tough time at the scrum by Vincent Koch and coughed up a needless infringement away from it, too.
- Asaeli Ai Valu – 6.5
Added a potent carrying threat, although it was too little too late for Japan.
- Wimpie van der Walt – 6
Looked physical after coming on, although wasn’t able to influence the game too significantly in a similar fashion to the starting locks.
- Amanaki Mafi – 5.5
The loose forward was physical in defence, although didn’t add the attacking impetus that Joseph would have hoped for.
- Fumiaki Tanaka – N/A
Like Sakate, Tanaka came on too late to have a real impact on the game, with South Africa already cemented as comfortable winners.
- Rikiya Matsuda – 6
Matsuda did well, despite South Africa being in control of the game by the time he arrived. He didn’t make the mistakes of Tamura by overplaying.
- Lomano Lemeki – 5.5
Struggled to add anything after replacing Yamanaka, although the momentum had shifted in South Africa’s favour at that point.
WATCH: Highlights as Japan give second best to South Africa at the World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
The Springboks tried going down the road of only picking home-based players and it was an unmitigated disaster in 2016 and 2017. Picking overseas-based players has been one of the main reason the Boks have done so well since 2018, not only because of the quality Rassie could call on, but because of the knowledge and experience those players brought into camp from England, France and Japan. With some of the big names playing abroad it also gave younger players in SA the chance to break through at franchise level. Would we have seen the emergence of a Ruan Nortje if RG and Lood were still at the Bulls? Not so sure. I understand why Jake would want to block players leaving since his job depends on good results but it’s an approach that would take Bok rugby back to the bad old days and no South African wants to see that.
8 Go to commentsExeter were thumped by 38 points. And they only had to hop on a train.
34 Go to commentsI am De Groot.
1 Go to commentsHad hoped you might write an article on this game, Nick. It’s a good one. Things have not gone as smoothly for ROG since beating Leinster last year at the Aviva in the CC final. LAR had the Top 14 Final won till Raymond Rhule missed a simple tackle on the excellent Ntamack, and Toulouse reaped the rewards of just staying in the fight till the death. Then the disruption of the RWC this season. LAR have not handled that well, but they were not alone, and we saw Pau heading the Top 14 table at one stage early season. I would think one of the reasons for the poor showing would have to be that the younger players coming through, and the more mature amongst the group outside the top 25/30, are not as strong as would be hoped for. I note that Romain Sazy retired at the end of last season. He had been with LAR since 2010, and was thus one of their foundation players when they were promoted to Top 14. Records show he ended up with 336 games played with LAR. That is some experience, some rock in the team. He has been replaced for the most part by Ultan Dillane. At 30, Dillane is not young, but given the chances, he may be a fair enough replacement for Sazy. But that won’be for more than a few years. I honestly know little of the pathways into the LAR setup from within France. I did read somewhere a couple of years ago that on the way up to Top 14, the club very successfully picked up players from the academies of other French teams who were not offered places by those teams. These guys were often great signings…can’t find the article right now, so can’t name any….but the Tadgh Beirne type players. So all in all, it will be interesting to see where the replacements for all the older players come from. Only Lleyd’s and Rhule from SA currently, both backs. So maybe a few SA forwards ?? By contrast, Leinster have a pretty clear line of good players coming through in the majority of positions. Props maybe a weak spot ? And they are very fleet footed and shrewd in appointing very good coaches. Or maybe it is also true that very good coaches do very well in the Leinster setup. So, Nick, I would fully concurr that “On the evidence of Saturday’s semi-final between the two clubs, the rebuild in the Bay of Biscay is going to take longer than it is on the east coast of Ireland”
11 Go to commentsWhat was the excuse for the other knockout blowouts then? Does the result not prove the Saints were just so much better? Wise call to put your eggs in one basket when you’ve got 2 comps simultaneously finishing.
34 Go to commentsReally hope Kuruvoli and his partner rock the Canes.
1 Go to commentsI wonder what impact Samson has had on their attack, as the team seems less prone to trundle it up the middle, take the tackle and then trundle it up again. I lost faith in the coach last year as the Rebelss looked like a 2nd/3rd rate South African team. I also disliked Gordon standing back, often ignored as the forward battle went on and on. Maybe its our Aussie way of not getting off our A***’s until the enemy is at the gate.
86 Go to commentsThanks for the write up. Great to see the Rebs winning, I am a little interested in how they will go against the remaining kiwi teams, I think they’ve only played Hurricanes and Highlanders but how great to see these players performing!! I also see Parling has a job beyond June 30! A good move by RA? Also how do you fix the Rebels previously scratchy defence?
86 Go to commentsbe smart - go black
13 Go to commentsNext week the Crusaders hopefully have Scott Barrett back. Will be great to have the captain back. Hopefully he will be the All Black captain as well.
12 Go to commentsExciting place to be for the young fella. I expected he was French Polynesian when I saw him included in the France 6N squad (after seeing him in NZs), and therefor be strong grounds we might loose him to rugby down here. Good, in that he is good enough to warrant such a profile, and from a journalism’s fan interaction aspect, to finally get a back ground story on the fella. Hope he has settled into NZ OK and that at least one rugby country will fit with him to help his development, which, if so, he should surely continue for a few years, and then that he can experience France to it’s fullest with a bit more maturity and less reliance on family than you would have at his current age. A good 3 or 4 years before he would be ready for International duty if he wanted to wait. Of course he already sounds good enough to accept a call up, and to cap himself, in the more immediate future (he’d have to be very very good in the case of the ABs), and he’ll get a great taste of that being with the Canes who have a bunch who are just a few years further into their career and looking likely Internationals themselves.
13 Go to commentsI remember towards the end of the original broadcasting deal for Super rugby with Newscorp that there was talk about the competition expanding to improve negotiations for more money - more content, more cash. Professional rugby was still in its infancy then and I held an opposing view that if Super rugby was a truly valuable competition then it should attract more broadcasters to bid for the rights, thereby increasing the value without needing to add more teams and games. Unfortunately since the game turned professional, the tension between club, talent and country has only grown further. I would argue we’re already at a point in time where the present is the future. The only international competitions that matter are 6N, RC and RWC. The inter-hemisphere tours are only developmental for those competitions. The games that increasingly matter more to fans, sponsors and broadcasters are between the clubs. Particularly for European fans, there are multiple competitions to follow your teams fortunes every week. SA is not Europe but competes in a single continental competition, so the travel component will always be an impediment. It was worse in the bloated days of Super rugby when teams traversed between four continents - Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The percentage of players who represent their country is less than 5% of the professional player base, so the sense of sacrifice isn’t as strong a motivation for the rest who are more focused on playing professional rugby and earning as much from their body as they can. Rugby like cricket created the conundrum it’s constantly fighting a losing battle with.
8 Go to commentsOh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
34 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
8 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
8 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
13 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
11 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
11 Go to comments