Much work still to be done ahead of RWC 2019

As rehearsals go for Rugby World Cup 2019, Japan’s three-test series in June and the nation’s performance, both on and off the field, drew mixed reviews.

On the playing front, the win over Romania and two defeats to Ireland left coach Jamie Joseph in no doubt that the Brave Blossoms have much to work on if, as hosts in two year’s time, they are to repeat their heroics of RWC 2015.

Joseph commented that there were glimpses of the style of rugby which Japan is endeavouring to play, but the two defeats against Ireland seemed to hi-lite the gap between the Tier 1 rugby nations and where Japan currently finds itself.

The stadiums also showed glimpses of the good and bad, with the superb atmosphere ruined somewhat by some basic necessities not provided to the level expected of a World Cup.

Back in April, Joseph admitted his first few games in charge had been tough and that perhaps he had not chosen the right players. While he will now have a better idea of some of the players that will form the basis of his squad for the next few years, question marks still exist in a number of key positions.

In the backs, Tokai University student Ryuji Noguchi had an outstanding series and will surely only get better once he rids himself of the shackles of collegiate rugby.

Akihito Yamada, Kenki Fukuoka and Kotaro Matsushima also showed good form and demonstrated — as they did in England two years ago — that they can trouble any defense in the world.

The problem is, who will get them the ball?

Injury and fatigue affected some key inside backs while Japan struggled in a number of positions in the pack.

The year-round rugby played by most of the squad — many of whom were on a flight to South Africa just hours after the final whistle last Saturday ahead of this week’s Sunwolves’ game against the Lions — is taking a huge toll.

Japan’s game plan and its reliance on kicking also came under fire as players were often unable to carry out its three requisites: — timely accurate kicks, good organized chases, and good first-time tackles.

Next up for Joseph and his crew are the autumn tests, and Joseph will be hoping his players stay injury-free in the Top League, which starts just five weeks after Super Rugby ends.

At least attack coach Tony Brown will be in Japan on a full-time basis and the one-on-one coaching he will provide should lead to a better understanding of how Joseph wants the team to play.

The games against the World XV in Fukuoka and Australia in Yokohama, before the team heads to Europe, will also be a chance for the Japan Rugby Football Union and the organizing committee for the World Cup to show they too have learned from mistakes made in June.

The problem is that, according to a number of sources, the two parties are not exactly on talking terms, as was evident the last few weeks.

At Kumamoto, journalists turned up to discover one of the press tribunes had been reserved for VIPs, the table and power points apparently more necessary for host city officials than the working press, whose job was made no easier by less-than-reliable wi-fi at all three stadiums.

More importantly, fans also vented their frustration at the accessibility of the stadiums and the services on offer when they got to the ground.

At Kumamoto, for example, Egao Kenko Stadium is accessed by a two-car train on a single line followed by a shuttle bus. Not that bad for Japanese people used to cramped rush-hour commutes but farmers from New Zealand and South Africa will struggle.

And as for the decision to play a number of preseason games at the same time as the Brave Blossoms, World Rugby Hall of Famer was gobsmacked, saying simply “The national team must be the No. 1 priority.” With opening night just 27 months away, it is clear that much work is to be done still if the RWC is to be executed successfully. The eyes of the world will be on the host nation as the grand daddy of sporting events looms large for 2020, where Japan will be hosting the Summer Olympic Games too.

#2019RugbyWorldCupinJapan #BraveBlossoms