Title: Japan’s Rugby Team Prepares to Take on England’s Traditional Playing Style
The Japan national rugby team is gearing up to face their upcoming opponents, England, with confidence and determination. According to the team’s scrum coach, Shin Hasegawa, England has been playing the same way for the past 100 years, known for their strong forwards and physicality upfront.
Hasegawa emphasizes the importance of “smashing” England before being “smashed” in order to secure a victory. He believes that adopting a proactive approach is crucial for Japan to have a chance at triumphing over their formidable rivals.
Head coach Jamie Joseph will announce the team lineup for Sunday’s game in Nice on Friday. Despite suffering an injury, prop Gu Ji Won remains hopeful that he can participate. Gu faced difficulties in the scrum when Japan played against England in November 2022 and is eager to seek redemption.
In a lighthearted moment, hooker Shota Horie jokes about former teammate George Kruis, who is now a spot coach for the England team. Horie states that Kruis doesn’t understand Japanese, so the Brave Blossoms will be fine. However, Horie acknowledges Kruis’s knowledge about the scrum, line-out, and maul, and believes the team must consider his input.
On a positive note, Captain Kazuki Himeno shows no signs of the calf injury that kept him out of the opening weekend, boosting team morale. Additionally, despite sporting a head bandage, center Tomoki Osada is expected to be named in the lineup.
Japan currently leads Pool D following their win against Chile, while England trails behind by one point after their victory over Argentina. Horie stresses the importance of focusing on playing their game and making sound decisions. He believes that if the team can effectively shift the ball, they will be fine.
As the clash between Japan and England approaches, all eyes are on how Japan’s team will adapt their strategy to counter England’s traditional playing style. The stage is set for an intense and thrilling match that will test the mettle of both teams. Forever Sports Online will provide live coverage to bring you the latest updates on this highly anticipated encounter.
