Leitch: prepare for a big shock
BULLISH: JAPANESE CAPTAIN CERTAIN THEY CAN WIN
Tokyo
Japan captain Michael Leitch said yesterday that the Brave Blossoms were capable of pulling off a shock victory over a weakened All Blacks team today. The New Zealand-born skipper evoked the spirit of Japan’s astonishing 34-32 win over South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup on the eve of the clash in Tokyo.
“When you look at the number of Test matches collectively in the team, it’s not so much and their Test match experience is not so much there,” said Leitch, pointing to a second-string New Zealand squad that includes eight new caps.
“There is an opportunity to pressure the leadership group. If we are going to take the All Blacks down, then it is going to be tomorrow.”
The world champions have met Japan three times in the past, racking up a combined 282 points, including a World Cup record 145-17 demolition in South Africa in 1995.
But All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made wholesale changes to the team that beat their arch-rivals Australia 37-20 last weekend, sending his big-hitters to Europe early to prepare for Tests against England, Ireland and Italy.
His new-look squad has just 178 Tests between them and Leitch believes Japan could take advantage.
Japan, once the whipping boys of the World Cup, went on to record further victories against Samoa and the United States at the 2015 tournament under former coach Eddie Jones after stunning two-time champions South Africa.
They have ticked over solidly since under former All Black Jamie Joseph, but Leitch also praised the influence of assistant John Plumtree, who has been helping the 2019 World Cup hosts as defence coach since last October.
“Plumtree has been excellent for us,” said Leitch. “Him coming into the team has been fantastic. He’s one of the best defence coaches in the world.” –