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Sunwolves set for surprise return for one-off clash against a Japan XV next month
The Sunwolves are set for a surprise return to action against a Japan XV next month more than a year after their axing from Super Rugby.
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The Tokyo-based franchise haven’t featured since they were culled from Super Rugby last year as SANZAAR prepared to revert back to a 14-team competition prior to the arrival of COVID-19.
However, the side which earned cult hero status as Super Rugby’s underdogs due to their exciting, but ultimately unsuccessful brand of rugby that saw them win just nine of their 67 matches, will square off against a Japan XV in Shizuoka on June 12.
The fixture will act as a warm-up fixture for the Brave Blossoms, who are due to play the British and Irish Lions for the first time ever in Edinburgh on June 26 ahead of the latter side’s tour to South Africa between July and August.
The match will be the first time Japan have played a match since the 2019 World Cup, where they reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
The Sunwolves side to play the Japan XV is expected to be made up of players from across the Top League and those not selected in the national team squad to travel to Scotland.
Former Sunwolves boss Naoya Okubo, who is the current coach of Top League club Yamaha Jubilo, will take charge of the side for the one-off clash after having served as an assistant coach in 2018 and 2019, and then as head coach last year.
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“I am very much looking forward to reuniting the Sunwolves to play in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2021 match against the Japan XV in Shizuoka,” Okubo said in a statement.
“The Sunwolves were originally established with the express purpose of driving the development of the Japanese national team.
“With this philosophy in mind, I am delighted that the team will once again contribute to the preparation of the Brave Blossoms ahead of their historic match against the British and Irish Lions.
“While this will be a one-off reunion for the Sunwolves, I am incredibly excited by the prospect of assembling the most powerful and skillful players in the country, to play against the Japan XV.
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“I trust that all Sunwolves fans and fans of Japanese rugby will be looking forward to this great opportunity to see the Sunwolves take to the field once again.”
The Highlanders have been dealt a blow leading into their Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign as head coach Tony Brown will depart the franchise with immediate effect. #Highlanders #SuperRugbyTransTasman #Lions2021 #LionsRugby https://t.co/JsXoSjOcHG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 6, 2021
Japan head coach Jamie Joseph, a former Sunwolves coach himself, added that he is excited that both the Brave Blossoms and the Sunwolves are set to play after lengthy spells without any matches.
“We are delighted to play our first competitive match since resuming national team activities against the Sunwolves at ECOPA Stadium in Shizuoka,” Joseph said.
“The Sunwolves made a massive contribution to Japanese rugby during their time in Super Rugby, so it’s fantastic to see the team reassemble for this crucial match.
“I’m thrilled for our fans who have been waiting so long to see us once again take the field and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this game a reality.
“It’s a hugely important match for the national team ahead of the massive challenge of facing the British and Irish Lions in Edinburgh. We appreciate the ongoing support of all our fans and look forward to their strong support on matchday.”
The Sunwolves will announce their playing roster and coaching staff later this month and will then assemble for a training camp in early June.
Joseph, meanwhile, named a 52-man training squad, featuring a mix of Japanese World Cup stars, former Super Rugby talent, Top League standouts and an array of potential debutants, last month in preparation of his side’s clash with the Lions.
That squad will be trimmed to 35 players on May 24, the day after the Top League final, with the shortened squad then set to head into a two-week training camp in Oita on May 26.
Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga and Codie Taylor have been heralded as the most valuable players in Super Rugby Aotearoa by four former All Blacks. #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/2Xy16exwJ3
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Following the match against the Sunwolves, the Brave Blossoms will then fly out to Scotland on June 16 to play the Lions 10 days later.
Japan assistant coach Tony Brown, who is also head coach of the Highlanders, created a stir on Friday when he announced that he will be part of his side’s training squad later this month.
It means he will miss the entirety of the Dunedin franchise’s Super Rugby Trans-Tasman campaign, which kicks-off against the Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium next Friday.
Highlanders assistant coach Clarke Dermody will step into the head coach role for the duration of the competition, with Brown set to depart for Japan on Thursday morning [NZT].
Brown also confirmed on Friday that Highlanders and Japan loose forward Kazuki Himeno will, however, be available for the Trans-Tasman tournament as he will fly directly from New Zealand to Scotland for the test against the Lions.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments