Jones proud of side after narrow loss

TOKYO (Nov. 8) – Japan coach Eddie Jones said he was disappointed with the result but thought his players were outstanding in their 20-18 defeat to the Maori All Blacks on Saturday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

“I am really proud of the performance,” he said. “The set piece was outstanding, our shape in attack was better, our breakdown work was better and our defence was better. There are a lot of positives to take out of this game. We just need to learn how to close these games out.”

Jones said the game highlighted the talent New Zealand has saying it was “the envy of every country in the world.”

The three tries given up in the narrow loss, as opposed to the eight given up seven days ago, were he said a result of Japan really struggling with a side that moves from side to side.

“We have a tendency to get too tight and it is an area we need to keep working on.”

Jones said his side trained harder than any side he had ever coached and he likened their journey to a man climbing a mountain.

“For the first 1,000 metres it’s really enjoyable and exciting. Then when you get higher up the winds get strong, the ground becomes unstable, your feet get sore and you get frostbite. But when you get to the top it is so exciting and you want to do it again.”

“We are past the first 1,000 metres and still a way from the top but we are moving in the right direction. Having games like this and getting positive feedback is so important as it reinforces that what we are doing is paying dividends.”

Japan head to Europe now to take on Romania and Georgia and Jones said that while it was important to keep the confidence of the players high it was also important for the team to keep challenging themselves.

“We are using every game for a purpose leading up to the World Cup.”