Speed, agility and brilliant low tackling
THAT’S THE SECRET OF JAPAN’S SUCCESS
One miracle World Cup win could possibly be viewed as a glorious, courageous, once- in- alifetime triumph.
But after Japan’s incredible victory over Ireland on Saturday the entire rugby world must take a serious look at how the Brave Blossoms are taking their game to new heights. We can all learn from them.
By modern standards they are a very small side yet they punch massively above their weight. They counter that lack of bulk with fitness levels that are right off the scale, worthy of Olympic athletes, and this enables them to play at an extraordinary tempo for the full 80 minutes.
This is still fairly unchartered territory for rugby. england achieved great things in 2003 because we were fitter than other sides, it gave us an edge, but I don’t believe rugby generally has kicked on in this respect.
The demands of long domestic seasons played in variable weathers and then perhaps too much international rugby has seen many sides and players opt for durability and reliability so much so that it really is quite an eye opener when a team like Japan — and new Zealand — seem to play with the fast forward button on.
And it is not just the physical speed, it’s being able to think at that speed and to execute basic skill at that tempo. I remember visiting eddie Jones down in Gloucester four years ago just a couple of days after he had masterminded Japan’s famous win over South Africa and was fascinated when he explained some of their training drills.
every drill was done much quicker and for longer than would be demanded in real match situations, players practised passing at a bewildering speed which almost defied the eye. Train hard, play easy. Japan’s way forward was to take full advantage of their natural speed of foot and dexterity, make a virtue of their lack of size. Japan play rugby on their terms and that really challenges the opposition who must have the ability to either match that tempo or the confidence to impose their preferred game plan. But Japan are bringing other strengths to their core game: strong scrum, steady lineout and above all else textbook low tackling that mocks those who claim you can’t tackle legally now in the age of blockbusting 19st runners who you are often forced to confront head on.
Japan use their speed, fitness and agility to manoeuvre themselves into the correct position to hit low and from the side or, if they must make a front on tackle, to get into a low powerful position to execute their hits legally. And having made their hit they are very disciplined at the breakdown that follows. They understand and play to the laws.
There was one point when one of the Japanese players lifts the leg of an Irish ball carrier and shapes as if to drive him towards the ground and you think this might not end well. But what happens next is that the nearest Japan player steps in and together the both safely return the Irishman to ground as the laws demand.
It was a decision on the hoof that prevented a penalty and probably a card. As a coach you just love it when your players are that tuned in to what is needed. The unspectacular and clever stuff is also helping to make this Japan side so effective and good to watch. They have ignited the World Cup and a nation and along with all of you I can’t wait to watch them play again.