Mission improbable for Sunwolves
Jamie Joseph’s Sunwolves must have grimaced when the Super Rugby schedule was released.
The winless Japanese side have it all in front of them on their New Zealand tour, tackling the two most recent champions over the next fortnight.
They meet the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday and six days later back up against the Hurricanes, who took out the 2016 title.
Most expect the Sunwolves to be on the end of some ugly scorelines, given their lack of competitiveness since joining Super Rugby in 2016.
The Sunwolves have won just three of 37 games and are 0-7 in
2018.
Rather than be daunted, former All Black Joseph said it was a chance for the team to gain respect and players to lock down starting spots.
‘‘To be honest, these types of tours aren’t as tough mentally on the players because they’re playing the best teams.
‘‘Outside of the 23 guys in the circle over there, no-one gives them a shot. I know what that feels like as a rugby player.
‘‘We can come into the stadium [on Saturday] without any expectation, which is a burden for us in Tokyo and swing our sword.’’
The Sunwolves have shown glimpses of their ability this season, pushing the Lions in Johannesburg, where they lost
40-38, and sticking with the Brumbies and Blues in Tokyo before losing.
Putting it together for 80 minutes and matching the physicality of their more-fancied rivals had been a concern, something Joseph was eager for the side to improve on.
Staying strong mentally given their lack of success was challenging, but Joseph praised his team’s ability to remain upbeat.
Joseph, who guided the Highlanders to the 2015 title, is a busy man.
He has been coach of the Japan national team since 2016 and took on the responsibilities of the Sunwolves this year.
Fellow former Highlanders coach Tony Brown has dual duties with Japan and the Sunwolves too, working as Joseph’s assistant.
With Japan only playing a smattering of tests each year, Joseph came on board to spend greater time with the national players in the Sunwolves. The majority of the Sunwolves are in the Japan team.
Several foreign players in the Sunwolves are close to becoming eligible for Japan, which gave Joseph a good chance to look at them. Former Highlanders and Chiefs fullback Robbie Robinson is among those overseas-born Sunwolves, who can play for the national side.
Next year is a pivotal one for Japanese rugby with the 2019 World Cup being held in the country.
‘‘Three or four test matches in June and November just wasn’t enough, so Browny [Tony Brown] and I jumped in and said let’s take the Sunwolves for a year and see how we go.
‘‘We’ve just got to be smarter and creative in different environments for both teams.’’
Among the issues confronting Joseph with the Sunwolves is players don’t get a sufficient break, going straight from the Top League domestic competition into Super Rugby.
While New Zealand players get several months over summer to recuperate and undergo operations, Japan’s best players aren’t so fortunate.
‘‘[The Sunwolves] don’t have two months to prepare, so they’re not as strong or fit as they need to be. Gradually as the competition goes on, they start to get that match fitness.’’
Joseph is contracted with Japan through to the end of the 2019 World Cup, but was coy when quizzed on whether the All Blacks job held appeal if Steve Hansen stepped down.
He expected the All Blacks coaches to carry on after the tournament.
‘‘Right now I’m just really consumed with coaching three teams. We’ve got the junior Japan side, we’ve got the Sunwolves and the national team.
‘‘I know at the end of the World Cup, I’m going to have to re-look at things, but all my energy is dedicated towards the Japanese cause at the moment.’’