International Rugby: Can Japan Make it Two in a Row?

21.11.2009
Canada v Japan in Tokyo

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground

Referee: Vincent Munro (New Zealand) 1st test

Preview
I cannot believe that Canada could play two bad games in a row. Japan played extremely well last Sunday in the first test, but I'd expect Canada to up their game. The score line of 46-8 was unbelievable. Canadian captain Pat Riordan talks about the game. "The team supporters at home should know the guys are well aware of the shortfall and disappointed in the result. That to play your best and lose is one thing.... but to play poorly and lose is much more difficult as all true rugby players know. According to the official rugby web site, players needed stitches following some brutal training seesions post that result. Looks like we can expect the Canaks to jump out of the starting gate fired up on Saturday.

Canadian captain Pat Riordan reflects on a bad outing last Saturday. Image thanks to www.rugbycanada.ca

Japan certainly looked impressive in the first test. Coach John Kirwan was pleased with all aspects of the display except the lineouts. Japan were dominant at scrum time and were first to the ball in the loose. They played the game at a hectic pace and fed on the Canadian's mistakes as the visitors tried to play an expansive game.

Kirwan has a few changes to the squad of 22. Tupuailei moves into centre with Ryan Nicholls moving in a place. Yoshida has a run at scrum half whilst two new players move onto the bench. Kirwan is still blooding new players whilst maintaining the nucleus of the team that played so well last Sunday.

I'd expect the Canadians to play a tighter game and try to out muscle the Japanese up front.

Last Five Encounters
15.11.2009 Japan 46-8 in Sendai
25.09.2007 Drawn 12-12 in Bordeaux (World Cup, Pool B)
29.05.2005 Canada 15-10 in Tokyo (Super Cup, Final)
30.05.2004 Japan 34-21 in Tokyo (Superpowers Cup, Final)
08.07.2001 Japan 39-7 in Tokyo (Pacific Rim; Playoff 3rd-4th)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Japan 13th, Canada 15th

Prediction: Canada will be a different team but psychologically Japan has the advantage, Japan by 10.

Teams

Japan
15 Go Aruga (Suntory) Age 25, 13 Tests
14 Kosuke Endo (Toyota) 28, 24
13 Alisi Tupuailei (Honda) 29, 1
12 Ryan Nicholas (Suntory) 30, 16
11 Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory) 31, 53
10 Shaun Webb (Coca-Cola) 27, 15
9 Tomoki Yoshida (Toshiba) 27, 19
8 Takashi Kukutani, Capt. (Toyota) 29, 27
7 Philip O’Reilly (Yokogawa) 29, 10
6 Michael Leitch (Tokai Univ.) 21, 8
5 Toshizumi Kitagawa (Toyota) 28, 24
4 Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba) 31, 36
3 Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory) 24, 9
2 Shota Horie (Sanyo) 23, 1
1 Naoki Kawamata (Sanyo) 24, 4
Replacements
16 Takeshi Kizu (Tokai Univ.) New cap
17 Hisateru Hirashima (Kobe) 26, 9
18 Shinya Makabe (Suntory) 22, New cap
19 Toetuíu Taufa (Kintetsu) 28, 8
20 Yuki Yatomi (Yamaha) 24, 13
21 James Arlidge (Newport, Wales) 30, 15
22 Ayumu Goromaru (Yamaha) 23, 9
Head Coach: John Kirwan

http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=723&Itemid=31

Canada
15 James Pritchard (Bedford Blues, England) Age 30, 30 Tests
14 Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 9
13 Matthew Evans (Hartpury College, England) 21, 7
12 Nicholas Blevins ((Velox Valhallians) 20, 1
11 Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley, England) 25, 19
10 Ander Monro (Castaway Wanderers) 28, 18
9 Sean White (James Bay Athletic Assoc.) 21, 1
8 Aaron Carpenter (Coventry, England) 26, 29
7 Adam Kleeberger (Rotherham Titans, England) 25, 22
6 Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers) 25, 8
5 Tyler Hotson (Plymouth Albion, England) 24, 11
4 Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 10
3 Douglas Woolridge (Cowichan) 23, 3
2 Pat Riordan, Capt. (University of Victoria) 30, 25
1 Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) 33, 51
Replacements
16 Mchael Pletch (Velox Valhallians) 26, 23
17 Daniel Pletch (Oakville Crusaders) 26, 23
18 Chauncey OíToole (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 3
19 Marc MacSween (Balmy Beach) 23, New cap
20 Phil Mack (University of Victoria) 24, 5
21 Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria) 21, 3
22 Sean Duke (University of Victoria) 21, 4
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley

http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=723&Itemid=31