Legal talk undermines Japan run, fumes Joseph
>> YOKOHAMA: Japan coach Jamie Joseph yesterday blasted reports of a formal Scottish protest if this weekend’s Rugby World Cup clash is called off because of a powerful typhoon.
The former All Black said talk that Scotland could take legal measures if tomorrow’s crunch Pool A game against the hosts is cancelled had “undermined” Japan’s sizzling start.
World Cup organisers have already pulled the plug on today’s England-France and New Zealand-Italy matches as Typhoon Hagibis sweeps towards Japan’s east coast.
After reports that the Scottish Rugby Union was considering legal options in the event of a cancellation that would see them eliminated, Joseph arrived at a news conference to name his team in a dark mood.
“I feel they’ve undermined the achievements of the Japanese national team and the significance of Sunday’s Test match against Scotland for Japan,” he said.
“We’ve played and won three Test matches and that’s put us in the best position in our pool,” added Joseph.
“I’d like to remind everybody that hasn’t been a fluke — this team has been in camp for 240 days this year alone.”
In one of four changes to the side who started last weekend’s 38-19 win over Samoa, Joseph handed the captaincy back to talismanic flanker Michael Leitch as the Brave Blossoms chase a first-ever spot in the World Cup quarter-finals.
But his withering opening remarks set a grim tone, with Joseph adamant Japan would not be happy reaching the last eight by default. “Everyone in our squad wants to play the Test match,” he said ahead of the biggest match in Japanese rugby history.
“It’s important for us to wake up on Monday morning and understand we are a worthy topeight team.”
Organisers will assess the impact of the typhoon, set to strike the area today, before deciding to whether go ahead with the match at 7.45pm (5.45pm Thai time) tomorrow.