Goromaru to lead Japan against Hong Kong
TOKYO (May 20) – Ayumu Goromaru will lead Japan on Saturday as they look to wrap up their Asia Rugby Championship campaign with victory in Hong Kong.
The 29-year-old fullback, who will be winning his 47th cap, is part of a backline that shows just one change from the side that started the game against South Korea two weeks ago – a 66-10 victory that saw the Brave Blossoms claim the title with a game to spare.
That change sees scrumhalf Yuki Yatomi start a test for the first time since 2009 as head coach Eddie Jones looks at his options ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The forwards, meanwhile, show four changes with Ryuhei Arita and Shinnosuke Kakinaga joining Hisateru Hirashima in the front row and Luke Thompson back alongside Shoji Ito in the engine room.
In the back row, Hayden Hopgood is promoted from the bench to join Ryu Koliniasi Holani and Justin Ives.
“Obviously we want to keep our unbeaten record in the Asian championship so beating Hong Kong is a priority, but as we move closer to the World Cup, selection for the World Cup takes paramount interest,” said Jones. “We’ve picked the best 23 for this week and it’s given an opportunity to a number of players who have been working hard and haven’t had much game time. Guys like Kakinaga, Arita and Hopgood.”
The replacement bench also shows a number of changes with prop Ryu Sioapelatu Holani, younger brother of the No. 8, set to play his first test for Japan.
Michael Broadhurst returns to national colors for the first time since November 2013 while Hitoshi Ono will be hoping to add to his Japan record 87 caps.
“Sioa and (reserve scrumhalf Keisuke) Uchida on the bench have been working hard in camp and deserve an opportunity to play against Hong Kong. We going to have a tough preparation and make sure the team understands World Cup selection is on the platter but the first priority is to beat Hong Kong and beat them well.”
Saturday’s game at Aberdeen Sports Ground will be preceded by a women’s test with the Sakura XV a win away from joining the men as champions of Asia.
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