Outsmarted by Japanese scrum
LEITCH: NOW WE MUST MATCH SAMOANS’ PHYSICALITY
Japan got a lift from their scrum in their shock victory over Pool A favourites Ireland and captain Michael Leitch said his team’s 8-on-10 drills in the lead-up had paid off.
“For one week we were constantly focusing on putting together our best scrum,” Leitch told reporters yesterday.
“The same way we prepared for the South Africa match, we did 8-on-10 scrums to practice holding up against the opponent’s pressure. I think the players’ scrum (against Ireland) was their best ever.”
The Brave Blossoms were less successful against the Springboks, wilting 41-7 in their pre-Rugby World Cup warm-up match earlier this month.
But they turned it on when it counted, stunning the world No 2 Irish 19-12 on Saturday to win their second match of the tournament and put themselves in prime position to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time.
Japan won all six of their scrums. And during an Irish attacking scrum just before halftime – in what turned out to be a key momentum changer – the lighter Japanese pack drove back the Irish front eight before winning a penalty.
Ahead of the match, Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek had flagged the Japanese scrum as one of the big challenges they would face.
The Japanese next take on Samoa on October 5, and Leitch said matching the Samoans’ physicality would be crucial.
Mindful of their pool-stage exit in England four years ago despite winning three matches, the hosts are taking nothing for granted despite their perfect 2-0 start.
“Samoa will be a really important game. Their players are of course strong and in the last tournament were very physical. Defence and pressuring them will important,” Leitch said. –