Jones looking forward to Maori game

KOBE (Oct. 31) – Japan coach Eddie Jones said he was looking forward to Saturday’s clash with the Maori All Blacks, saying it was just the type of game his side needs with the Rugby World Cup less than a year away.

“We need to be tested all the time and tomorrow we will be tested,” he said. “Our preparation hasn’t been perfect but games are never perfect either. We have prepared well and while we are definitely not at 100 percent, we are close to being ready to play.”

With the roof at Noevir Stadium set to be closed, Jones said the game should be an exciting affair.

“It’s going to be fun. There’s plenty of points out on the deck. The Maori have a fantastic strong culture and a strong philosophy about how they play. (Maori coach) Colin Cooper is very positive about the way he wants his teams to play rugby. We coached against each other in Super Rugby when he was with the Hurricanes and I was with the Brumbies and they were some fantastic games of football.”

Japan prop Kensuke Hatakeyama said Japan needed to dominate the scrums and line outs to ensure plenty of possession and allow Japan to play an expansive game.

“The work rate of the forwards needs to be very high all around the field,” he said. “We need to put pressure on them and create scoring chances.”

Fullback Ayumu Goromaru said the Maori had a very attacking back three and that like Japan they thrived on playing counter-attack rugby.

Saturday’s game kicks off at 2:10 p.m. with the second game slated for Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground in Tokyo on Nov. 8 at 2 p.m.