Japan: From whipping boys to giant slayers
WORLD CUP SPOTLIGHT: That Japan are preparing for the biggest match in their history, a World Cup quarter-final showdown against South Africa on Sunday, is a testament of their rapid improvement over the past five years.
Despite appearing at every edition since the tournament's founding in 1987, until four years ago Japan had just a single World Cup victory under their belts, a 52-8 win over Zimbabwe in 1991.
Routinely whipping boys, Japan were best-known for conceding the largest number of points in a single World Cup match when they were annihilated 145-17 by New Zealand in 1995.
However, under former Wallabies and current England coach Eddie Jones, in 2015 Japan produced the greatest upset in World Cup history, beating twice-winners South Africa 34-32 in their opening pool match.
The victory put Japan on the rugby map and brought a wave of public support for a sport usually relegated below baseball, soccer and sumo wrestling back home.
A then-record 25 million people watched Japan's win over Samoa in 2015. Although the Brave Blossoms failed to qualify from the pool stages following a loss to Scotland, a flame was ignited four years out from hosting the tournament themselves.
Many Japan players believe their current success stems from the confidence gained in 2015, including flying winger Kenki Fukuoka who played then and who in this tournament scored two tries in a man-of-the-match performance against Scotland.
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"The acknowledgment of our ability to play on the world stage was established four years ago, which led to our confident performance this time," Fukuoka said.
The players routinely point to two major factors for their success - preparation and the influence of head coach Jamie Joseph who played for Japan in the 1999 World Cup.
Joseph has had the luxury of nine months with his players, having run a training camp since January after Japan's Top League sides shortened their domestic season.
"It was very clear our players just weren't ready to play test match rugby against tier-one teams," Joseph said in the build-up to the World Cup when reflecting on his time in charge.
"In terms of our fitness and our ability to play at that level of rugby week in and week out, we just weren't fit or strong enough."
That has certainly changed and captain Michael Leitch has also spoken about the impact of the players' exposure to the world's elite, both at international level and for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby.
"The biggest reason is the belief, that is the trigger," said Leitch after the win over Scotland.
"Since 2011, the opponents we have played have been stronger and stronger. We have played more tier-one nations and played in Super Rugby."
For Leitch and many others, this tournament is just the start.
"Looking back, even since 2011, this team has grown so much and it is scary to think about how far this team could actually grow," said Leitch earlier this week.
"The last four games, we are getting better each time, and the confidence is growing."
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Key men post-World Cup
Here, is a handful of players who can help Japan maintain their current success and step up to the senior side over the next World Cup cycle and further press their country’s case for inclusion in an annual tier one competition.
Kosuke Horikoshi (hooker)
The 24-year-old front row is a natural long-term replacement for Horie, with the former Japanese captain set to turn 34 next year. He was unlucky to miss out on selection for this World Cup and although Atsushi Sakate has done an admirable job deputising for Horie, it’s a role that Horikoshi will have his eye on.
A graduate of Teikyo University and the Japanese under-20 pathway, Horikoshi is a reliable set-piece hooker who can help Japan maintain their efficient scrum while also being effective in the loose, if not quite the influential figure that Horie currently is.
Having spent a number of years in the university system, Horikoshi is one of the examples of high-end talents who would have perhaps been better served by entering the professional arena at a younger age, as he now makes up for lost time with Suntory Sungoliath.
Halatoa Vailea, (wing/flank)
Vailea was one of the Japan under-20s standout players last year in the World Rugby U20 Championship where he excelled as a winger, blending an impressive combination of speed and strength. This year, at the U20 Trophy competition, he moved to the flank and put in displays that were reminiscent of Tom Croft and Pierre Spies as he marauded his way through would-be tacklers.
He is more likely a winger at the senior level against more competitive opposition, something which could see him evolve into a player that can partner Matsushima in the back three, especially if Kenki Fukuoka goes ahead with his plans to turn his back on rugby and commit to becoming a doctor. He is another example of a player who should be playing professionally.
Shota Fukui (flank)
If Joseph is looking for a successor to Leitch or Lappies Labuschagne for the next cycle, with both players currently in their 30s, he need look no further than current Japan under-20 captain Fukui. The Panasonic Wild Knight has eschewed the traditional university pathway in Japan and instead signed professional terms with his club side after he left school.
While that university pathway is the right move for many players, he has profited from going immediately into a professional environment and is a strong candidate to make the step up to the senior side as soon as next year.
Between Fukui and Kazuki Himeno, Japan and Joseph could have one of the most feared flanker pairings in world rugby moving forward, with the former blending his mobility and contact area work with the physicality of the current World Cup standout.
Tevita Tatafu (No.8)
A contemporary of Horikoshi in the under-20s, Tatafu delivers ball-carrying, offloading and a menacing physical presence in the No8 jersey and his game has plenty of the hallmarks that have made Mafi one of the more dynamic players around.
Thankfully for Joseph, Tatafu does not seem to share Mafi’s proclivity for incidents and controversy off the pitch and his introduction alongside Himeno and Fukui would give Japan a great transition plan in the back row, as they say goodbye to the iconic figure of Leitch in the coming years.
Both Tatafu and Horikoshi having already made their debuts for the Blossoms and look set to be at the heart of the group’s preparation for the 2023 World Cup in France.
Honourable Mentions…
There is no lack of scrum-half talent coming through the ranks, with Atora Hondo and Shinobu Fujiwara knocking on the door, although it is difficult to see Yutaka Nagare giving up his spot anytime soon. Fly-half Takuya Yamasawa is rated highly in the country and could eventually replace Tamura as Japan’s primary playmaker, while Yuto Mori doesn’t lack for ability either.
One area that Japan have struggled to produce players in has been the second row, although that could be about to change with Itsuki Kodama looking like a particularly talented young lock. He could be joined by Katsuto Kubo, with both having impressed at the under-20 level. Finding a replacement for the talismanic Thompson will be one of Joseph’s first priorities after this World Cup.
Source: AAP & Rugbypass