Throwing to Kruis has got Sakate on form

ATSUSHI Sakate believes the decision of the Lions to invite Japan to play them ahead of the tour to South Arica shows the progress made by the 2019 World Cup hosts in the last decade.

Sakate, one of Japan’s hookers at the World Cup, plays for the Panasonic Wild Knights and says that throwing at the lineout to George Kruis, a 2017 Lion, has helped him improve in a league where leading internationals from all over the world are passing on their knowledge and knowhow to local players.

“It is an honour for Japan to be playing such a prestigious team,” said Sakate. “Rugby here is on the up and it is becoming famous in Japan. People here are watching it in numbers they did not before and they are enjoying it. Our game is growing and growing and next year’s changes to the Top League will reflect that.

“We had world-class coaches in the last two World Cups and the hard work we did with them helped us compete against strong opposition. The Top League has grown to the point where it attracts leading players from all over the world and that helps the development of players here.”

Sakate, below, is set to take over from the veteran hooker Shota Horie who was left out of the 52-man squad named by Jamie Joseph earlier this month.

“I learned a lot from him and I will do everything to earn my spot in the team,” said Sakate. “The last time we met as a squad was in 2019 and as we have not gathered since then, preparation will be key. We will only have a short time together and with new players coming in it will be all about communication ahead of a game everyone is looking forward to.”