Japan, All Blacks game confirmed
Japan will play world champions New Zealand in Tokyo on Nov. 2, it was confirmed Friday with the game set to played at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Japanese rugby and the national team to move forward,” said Japan coach Eddie Jones. “We will be playing against one of the best teams in the world. In their last 50 tests the All Blacks have won 90 percent. That record is unrivalled in any sport in the world. History shows the average score when we meet is 94-0 so we realise the enormity of the task. But as Winston Churchill once said ‘History is going to be kind to us because we are going to write it.'”
Jones said the opportunity to play the 2011 Rugby World Cup winners was one of the greatest honours a player could have.
“The All Blacks are the No.1 cherry. This is the most exciting game in the world. The players have got to live it and make sure they have nothing left at the end of the game.”
Jones said he would make sure the players went into the game believing they can win, saying that was the only way you could approach the game.
“When you play the All Blacks you have to physically meet the challenge. And you have to make them think. We are going out to win and if we are not good enough then we have to find out what we have to do to be better.”
Jones’ views were backed by Jerome Kaino, one of the stars of the 2011 World Cup winning side and currently a member of Toyota Verblitz.
“Eddie hit it on the head. If you want to beat the All Blacks you have to challenge them physically and make them think,” he said. “Having been in Japan for a year now, I have seen players in the Japan set-up and have no doubt they have the ability to do that.”
“From the All Blacks’ point of view this will be a historical event and a huge event for all the players that travel here,” the 30-year-old said . “Japan have had some great results in their last three tests, most notably against Wales. That will be ringing alarm bells in New Zealand and I’m sure they will not be taking the game lightly.”
Tickets for the game will go on sale in mid-September with the kick-off time to be determined at a later date.