Japan seek consistency as desperate Samoa await
Focused Australia primed for ‘Grand Final’ against Uruguay
TOYOTA CITY, Japan, Oct 3, (RTRS): Japan’s stunning 19-12 victory over Ireland last weekend set them on course for top spot in their Rugby World Cup Pool A but that hard-earned advantage will be largely undone if they do not see off Samoa at the City of Toyota Stadium on Saturday.
Expectations have been raised significantly in the host nation since their Irish success, not just because of the result but also the accomplished way the side disposed of a team who entered the tournament ranked as number one in the world.
But with the euphoria comes an extra dose of pressure to maintain that standard, especially after the heartbreak of 2015 when the Brave Blossoms became the only team in World Cup history to win three pool matches but not advance to the quarter-finals.
Coach Jamie Joseph has made three changes to his starting line-up, including the return of squad captain Michael Leitch, who replaces Kazuki Himeno on the side of the scrum as the latter switches to number eight for the injured Amanaki Mafi.
Hooker Shota Horie, man of the match against Ireland, drops to the bench and is replaced by Atsushi Sakate, while Wimpie van der Walt takes over from Luke Thompson at lock.
“They’ll be hurting, they’ve had some tough times but they are the sorts of things that usually bring the team tight together, so we’re expecting a really physical and tough game.” Samoa’s stuttering start to their World Cup has been largely self-inflicted with an unconvincing 34-9 victory over pool minnows Russia followed by a dismal 34-0 defeat to Scotland.
The Pacific islanders have not been helped by four yellow cards so far in the competition, and coach Steve Jackson joked he might have to cosy up to Saturday’s referee, Jaco Peyper.
“We’re going to take him out for dinner and then go to have a drink,” Jackson told reporters.
“Our captain will be talking more to the referee but it’s about what we can do possibly in the game.” Jackson added that the investment made by Japanese rugby in their national team should be a blueprint for other nations, such as Samoa, to follow.
Loose-head prop Jordan Lay will also start, with his brother, tight-head prop James, among the replacements.
Lock Piula Faasalele, scrumhalf Dwayne Polataivao, flyhalf Ulupano Seuteni and wing Ah See Tuala are the others to have been drafted into the team.
Having had the best part of a week to process the anger, disappointment and confusion of their World Cup defeat to Wales, Australia are looking forward to getting back into the thick of it against Uruguay in Oita on Saturday.
Already fuming over the three-game suspension of winger Reece Hodge after the Fiji opener, the Wallabies were enraged after their 29-25 loss to Wales in Tokyo, with coach Michael Cheika condemning refereeing decisions and claiming World Rugby had made the game unappealing for fans.
Leaving the neon and clamour of the Japanese capital behind them, Australia have pledged only to focus on the much-improved South Americans as they seek to get their World Cup on a firmer footing on the southwestern island of Kyushu.
“It’s obviously disappointing with the result we had (against Wales) but essentially now it’s Grand Final week for us,” prop James Slipper told reporters, using the traditional Australian term for a championship decider.
“Both teams have to win. We’re preparing like that every game. So, for us, it’s just about getting back into work, training hard, making sure we come out and win the game.” The Wales loss was hardly terminal for the Wallabies’ hopes of a third World Cup triumph but it may mean a tougher quarter-final opponent against the winner of Pool C, rather than that group’s runners-up.
England lead Pool C ahead of second-placed France.