Japan looking forward to Scotland test

EDINBURGH (Nov. 9) – Japan head into Saturday’s game with Scotland in confident mood despite last weekend’s loss to New Zealand.

“The players are excited though they will be a little nervous,” said stand-in head coach Scott Wisemantel following Friday’s captain’s run at Murrayfield. “But we are here to play (and win) and that’s why the level of excitement and anticipation is high among the players.”

Wisemantel said that while the team was disappointed with last week’s 54-6 loss to the world champions, he believed the players had benefited.

“To play the All Blacks and come out with confidence after playing well for the first 25 minutes was invaluable to the team,” he said.

Captain Toshiaki Hirose said the Japan players were excited about playing at such a big stadium and he was hopeful they would put on a good show.

“When the players got here today they couldn’t control their emotions,” he said. “We need to mentally prepare for 80 minutes. The key to winning will be our attack and our attack shape. We need to move the ball around.”

Lock Luke Thompson said he was looking forward to the atmosphere at the ground and that the fans would hopefully appreciate the Japan Way of playing.

“We need to attack, play at speed and play to our strengths,” he said in Japanese. “The Scottish forwards will be big so we need to move them around.”

Wisemantel and Scotland coach Scott Johnson are long-time friends and used to play together for the Eastwood club in Sydney.

“I am sure they will play expansive rugby,” Wisemantel said. “Scott is quite innovative and they will have one or two trick plays, so I am looking forward to it. Scott and I have worked together a lot (with the Wallabies and Waratahs) and share a similar philosophy so it should be a good battle.”