Japan hoping for warm weather for PNC opener

YOKOHAMA (May 24) – Japan coach Eddie Jones said he was hoping for the warm weather to continue as Japan gets set to open the IRB Pacific Nations Cup with the first ever test in Kanagawa Prefecture.

The Brave Blossoms take on Tonga at Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium on Saturday and the players trained there Friday under a blazing sun.

“The grounds in fantastic condition,” Jones said. “I’ll love it if it is like this tomorrow. Tonga want an arm wrestle but we want to play. So the faster the pitch and the hotter it is the better it is for us.”

Jones said he had picked a big side to match the physicality of the Tongans and stressed that it would need a 23-man effort to beat the Pacific islanders.

“We need 23 players to play well for 80 minutes,” he explained. “We will be tested tomorrow.”

Jones said his squad contained a good mix of experience and youth but stressed that the game would be unlike any of the younger players had ever played.

“Three of the Tongan front row forwards play in Europe. Another with the Melbourne Rebels. They scrum for a living so it’s going to be a totally different ball game. Then you’ve got players like Hale T Pole and Nili Latu who do everything on the edge of the laws. We need solutions if things don’t go our way.”

Jones said the leadership skills of Takashi Kikutni would be needed, but added that he thought the No. 8 — leading the side in place of the injured Toshiaki Hirsoe — was the perfect choice.

“Last year he rejoined the squad at 98 kg as the fourth choice lock. He’s now 105 kg and the first choice No. 8. He’s reborn as a player.”