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Matsushima veut soigner son retour en France
Après avoir retrouvé la motivation pour le rugby lors de son passage à l’ASM Clermont Auvergne en Top 14, Kotaro Matsushima, la star japonaise est prêt pour commencer la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023, à l’aune de son retour en France.
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Matsushima, qui se prépare pour sa troisième Coupe du Monde, semblait avoir le monde à ses pieds il y a quatre ans. Ses cinq essais, avec notamment le premier triplé pour un joueur japonais, ont aidé les Brave Blossoms à réaliser l’exploit d’atteindre les quarts de finale, sur leur propre sol.
Jamie Joseph, l’entraîneur du Japon avait surnommé Matsushima la « Ferrari » de son équipe lors de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2019. Une fois l’effervescence de la compétition retombée, le talentueux arrière a eu du mal à continuer à avancer.
Jusqu’à ce qu’il reçoive, en 2020, une offre de la part d’une des grosses écuries du Top 14, l’ASM Clermont Auvergne. À ce moment-là, il part en Europe et jouera deux saisons au Stade Marcel-Michelin.
« Tandis que je jouais des matchs de haut niveau en France, ma motivation et mon envie de jouer pour le Japon sont revenues », explique Matsushima.
Ses exploits, notamment les quatre essais pendant la Champions Cup, sous le fameux maillot jaune de Clermont, lui ont permis de figurer parmi les nommés pour le titre de Joueur EPCR de l’Année en 2021.
Désormais de retour en France avec l’équipe du Japon, Matsushima est optimiste quant au fait qu’il peut « montrer un rugby plaisant et divertissant » à ceux qui l’ont supporté lors de son aventure en Top 14.
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Il est également persuadé, tandis qu’il prépare le match d’ouverture de la poule D avec les Brave Blossom dimanche 10 septembre face au Chili, qu’il est un meilleur joueur aujourd’hui que lors des deux dernières éditions de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
S’il a joué ailier lors des deux précédentes éditions, il est arrivé en France avec un rôle d’arrière cette fois-ci, afin d’aider le groupe de trois-quarts, dont trois d’entre eux – Jone Naikabula, Semisi Masirewa et Siosaia Fifita – vont vivre leur première Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
« Je peux mieux m’exprimer au poste d’arrière. J’ai plus l’occasion de toucher plus le ballon et ça m’aide à faire ce que je pense être le mieux au meilleur des moments, je peux plus communiquer avec mes coéquipiers », assure Matsushima.
« J’aimerais notamment jouer intelligemment au pied, puisque je sais que je vais toucher plus de ballons. »
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Matsushima a connu une année 2023 assez riche. Pour son retour au Tokyo Sungoliath, il a aidé le club de la Japan Rugby League One à se hisser en demi-finale, puis il a connu sa 50e sélection pour les Brave Blossoms au mois d’août.
Il y a également fêté ses 30 ans en février, mais l’arrière insiste sur le fait que ça ne l’a pas ralenti.
« L’âge m’importe peu. Je veux me plonger dans la compétition à venir et me donner à fond », dit Matsushima.
Il est l’un des 13 joueurs dans la sélection de Jamie Joseph pour la RWC 2023 à avoir l’expérience des éditions passées. La moitié du groupe arrivée à Toulouse le 2 septembre se prépare donc pour sa première Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
Les résultats du Japon au cours des cinq matchs de préparation en juillet et en août, sous des températures très élevées, ont été assez erratiques avec quatre défaites pour une seule victoire.
Toutefois, Matsushima voit le côté positif et insiste sur le fait que le temps passé en commun par l’équipe s’avérera inestimable et que les performances se sont améliorées à l’orée de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023.
« Il faisait tellement chaud que l’on ne pouvait rien produire en attaque à certains moments. Et les matchs se déroulaient sur des périodes de préparation très intense », ajoute-t-il.
« Il y avait des moments où l’on ne pouvait pas bouger comme on le voulait ou comme on aurait dû le faire pendant les matchs.
« Lors des derniers entraînements (après la sélection du groupe pour la RWC 2023), nous avons mieux joué, sans faire d’erreur et ce, malgré les fortes chaleurs.
« Nos automatismes et nos combinaisons s’améliorent. On peut être encore meilleurs. »
Après la rencontre face au Chili, au Stadium de Toulouse ce dimanche, le Japon affrontera l’Angleterre, les Samoa et Argentine dans ce qui apparaît comme une des poules les plus relevées du tournoi.
Matsushima est déterminé à faire en sorte que les Brave Blossoms atteignent les phases finales de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby pour la seconde fois d’affilée. La Ferrari est à nouveau prête à rugir.
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting article. I think the answer lies in a comment Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup. Asked whether it bothers him that the Bok team doesn’t get more credit he said: “We don’t play for people to respect us: we play for each other and we play for South Africa.” The Springbok team is a brotherhood - an incredibly tight unit, most of whom are good friends off the pitch as well. Not only do they not want to let South Africa down, but they fight like crazy not to let their teammates down. Not saying they don’t care about their club teammates, but I think the bond shared in the Boks is just much, much deeper. Tough to forge the same sort of bond at a club over a handful of years. That must translate into superior performances for country over club.
8 Go to commentsThere is very little creativity in the 9-10 axis for SA. 10 needs to be solid, put the work in and kick the points. the SA counter is almost always via the edge or a kick through for a winger. When was the last offensive backline score from SA against a top team? Perhaps the ultra physical nature of the SA teams means players they get to hit more stats in those games. Maybe the SA pleyers are perfectly suited to the SA system. In other Words they are not club players gathered to play SA Internationals. They are SA International players adapting to play club.
8 Go to commentsJust what you want your prop doing 😂
1 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
2 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
8 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
8 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
2 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“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.)
4 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.
2 Go to comments