RUGBY TEST MATCH: Russians Take on Japan

06.11.2010
Russia v Japan in Tokyo

Venue: Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground

Referee:

Preview
A strong Russian team arrived in Japan mid week to do battle with Japan this Saturday in Tokyo. It has been six years since these two teams last clashed. For both this is a vital test as part of their preparations towards the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Japan ranks higher than the Russians.

Japan had a dreadful match against Samoa last weekend. Head Coach John Kirwan will want a good win from his Japanese team. He has revamped the side from that which lost 10-13 to Samoa including two new caps, at fullback and bench flanker. I can't help thinking that the Japanese front row has an inexperienced look about it and will be Japan's weak spot against a tough Russian pack.

The Russians arrived after playing two international matches against the Argentina Jaguars, both played in Moscow. Russia lost both games 10-20 and 6-32. Russia will be looking for a vast improvement with what looks like a very experienced side.

Last Five Encounters
27.05.2004 Japan 29-12 in Tokyo (Superpowers Cup)
25.05.2003 Russia 43-34 in Tokyo (Superpowers Cup)
19.05 2002 Japan 59-12 in Tokyo

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-Japan 13th, Russia 20th

IRB Ranking Points
Japan 71.22, Russia 65.80

Prediction: Japan by 12 points

Teams

Russia squad
Vasily Artemiev (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Vladamir Boltenkov (Imperia Penza) New cap
Artem Fatakhov (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Victor Gresev (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Alexander Khrokin (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Igor Kluchnikov (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Oleg Kobzev (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Alexey Korobeynikov (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk)
Vladislav Korshunov, Capt (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Kirill Kushnarev (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Andrey Kuzin (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Alexey Makovetskiy (Krasny Yar)
Evgeny Matveev (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Nikita Medkov (Slava Moscow)
Vladimir Ostroushko (Yug Krasnodar)
Alexey Panasenko (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Sergey Popov (Slava Moscow)
Ivan Prishepenko (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk)
Evgeny Pronenko (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk)
Sergey Sergeev II (Montauban, France)
Alexander Shakirov (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Alexey Shcherban (Enisey-STM-Krasnoyarsk)
Alexey Travkin (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Sergey Trishin (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Alexander Voitov (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Alexander Yanushkin (VVA-Podmoskovje)
Head Coach: Nikolay Nerush

http://www.rugby-japan.jp/hm/1011_lipod/11russia.html#1106menjapan

Japan
15. Atushi Tanabe (Sanyo) New Cap
14. Kosuke Endo (Toyota) 33 tests
13. Koji Taira (Suntory) 23
12. Ryan Nicholas (Suntory) 24
11. Alisi Tupuailei (Canon Eagles) 10
10. Bryce Robins (NEC) 23
9. Koji Wadi (Toyota) 4
8. Ryuko Holani (Sanyo) 13
7. Michael Leitch (Tokai University) 12
6. Takashi Kikutani, Capt. (Toyota) 34
5. Toshizumi Kitagawa( Toyota) 32
4. Hitoshi Ono (Toshiba) 44
3. Nozomu Fujita (Honda ) 3
2. Hiroki Yuhara (Toshiba) 4
1. Hisateru Hirashima (Kobe) 18
Replacements
16. Shota Horie (Sanyo) 9
17. Naoki Kawamata (Sanyo) 10
18. Luke Thompson (Kintetsu) 26
19. Itaru Kanuguichi (Kobe) New Cap
20. Fumiaki Tanaka (Sanyo) 21
21. James Arlidge (Northampton, England) 24
22. Yuta Imamura (Kobe) 27
Head Coach: John Kirwan

Out-Ayumu Gorumaru (Yamaha), Kensuke Hatakeyama (Suntory), Horotoki Onozawa (Suntory) and Toetu’u Taufa (Kintetsu)

http://www.rugby-japan.jp/hm/1011_lipod/11russia.html#1106menjapan