International Rugby: Canada Begins Tour of Japan

15.11.2009
Canada v Japan in Sendai (First Test)

Venue: Yurtec Stadium

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)

Preview
Canada played its first two international rugby tests against Japan, back in early 1932. Japan won both tests, 9=-8 and 38-5. Over the years contests between these two Pacific nations have been close.

The last time these two rugby nations met was during pool play at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. "In a dramatic ending, replacement centre Koji Taira scored in the corner and it was then left to inside centre Shotaro Onishi, who was suffering from rib damage, to land the pressure kick from 5 metres in from the right-hand touchline. To the glee and tears of all his team mates and staff the kick raised the flags giving Japan a well deserved 12-all draw".

Japan looks to be lacking experience in the front row. They have an experienced and dangerous looking backline that could do damage if allowed to. But for me the game will be won by Canada in the forwards. This is a very experienced forward pack. Mind you. I said the same this time last year when the USA arrived in town. They were defeated by what I said was an inexperienced Japanese side that would struggle in the forwards. Having said that, this Canadian side looks more balanced than the USA team.

Former All Black Kieran Crowley is now head coach of Canada. Image thanks to www.rugbycanada.ca

Last Five Encounters
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)
15.07.2000 Canada 62-18 in Toronto (Pacific Rim)

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

Prediction: Very close. Canada by 5 points.

Teams:

Canada
15 James Pritchard (Bedford Blues, England) Age 30, 29 Tests
14 Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 8
13 Matthew Evans (Hartpury College, England) 21, 7
12 Bryn Keys (Moseley, England) 24, 7
11 Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley, England) 25, 18
10 Ander Monro (Castaway Wanderers) 28, 17
9 Phil Mack (University of Victoria) 24, 4
8 Aaron Carpenter (Coventry, England) 26, 28
7 Adam Kleeberger (Rotherham Titans, England) 25, 21
6 Chauncey OíToole (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 2
5 Tyler Hotson (Plymouth Albion, England) 24, 10
4 Joshua Jackson (Bordeaux, France) 29, 21
3 Daniel Pletch (Oakville Crusaders) 26, 22
2 Pat Riordan, Capt. (University of Victoria) 30, 24
1 Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland) 33, 50
Replacements
16 Mchael Pletch (Velox Valhallians) 26, 22
17 Douglas Woolridge (Cowichan) 23, 2
18 Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers) 23, 9
19 Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers) 25, 7
20 Sean White (James Bay Athletic Assoc.) 21, New Cap
21 Sean Duke (University of Victoria) 21, 3
22 Nathan Hirayama (University of Victoria) 21, 2
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley

http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=718&Itemid=31

Japan
15 Go Aruga (Suntory) Age 25, 12 Tests
14 Kosuke Endo (Toyota) 28, 23
13 Ryan Nicholas (Suntory) 30, 15
12 Koji Taira (Suntory) 26, 17
11 Hirotoki Onozawa (Suntory) 31, 52
10 Shaun Webb (Coca-Cola) 27, 14
9 Fumiaki Tanaka (Sanyo) 24, 14
8 Takashi Kukutani, Capt. (Toyota) 29, 26
7 Philip O’Reilly (Yokogawa) 29, 9
6 Michael Leitch (Tokai Univ.) 21, 7
5 Toshizumi Kitagawa (Toyota) 28, 23
4 Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba) 31, 35
3 Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory) 24, 8
2 Shota Horie (Sanyo) 23, New cap
1 Naoki Kawamata (Sanyo) 24, 3
Replacements
16 Yoshimitsu Yasue (Kobe) 25, 2
17 Hisateru Hirashima (Kobe) 26, 8
18 Daniel Quate (Toyota) 29, New cap
19 Toetuíu Taufa (Kintetsu) 28, 7
20 Tomoki Yoshida (Toshiba) 27, 18
21 Alisi Tupuailei (Honda) 29, New cap
22 James Arlidge (Newport, Wales) 30, 14
Head Coach: John Kirwan

http://www.rugbyjapan.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=718&Itemid=31