Leitch: We can inspire country
SKIPPER: HE ADMITS TO BEING NERVOUS FOR OPENER
Japan captain Michael Leitch said yesterday he has been “all over the place” in training in the run-up to this week’s Rugby World Cup opener against Russia.
The skipper, who missed a chunk of the year with a groin injury, was named in a strong side by coach Jamie Joseph for tomorrow’s Pool A clash in Tokyo.
But Leitch, joined by stalwarts Yu Tamura and Shota Horie in an experienced starting line-up, admitted he has been taken aback by the scale of the media attention on the hosts.
“This is no normal turnout,” Leitch told a news conference.
“I’m so nervous I’ve been making all sorts of mistakes in training – there’s so many people and so many cameras. But I’m very proud to be part of the World Cup and to be captain of the team.”
Leitch, who orchestrated Japan’s jaw-dropping 34-32 victory over South Africa in their opening game on England’s south coast four years ago, predicted that the home side would make history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time.
“In 2015 everyone expected us to lose – even the Japanese public,” said the Japan flanker.
“But when we beat South Africa, all eyes were on us. The next game against Scotland 30 million people watched on TV and even though we lost, it inspired Japan.
“This time we’ve got the opportunity to inspire Japan again. We’ve trained well, prepared well and this will be Japan’s best World Cup ever.”
Joseph, who will be without flying winger Kenki Fukuoka (thigh strain), insisted Japan would not go into tomorrow’s game as favourites, despite the weight of evidence.
“I’ve never really considered us to be the favourites,” said the former All Black, pointing to a narrow 32-27 win over a hulking Russian side last November. – AFP