Joseph Names Squad to Take on Argentina

TOKYO (Nov. 3) The Japan side to face Argentina on Saturday was named by new coach Jamie Joseph on Thursday.

“I am very proud to be able to read this team out. It is the first test team in this coaching team’s tenure and we are really excited about the match at the weekend,” Joseph said.

Shota Horie and Harumichi Tatekawa will co-captain the side, which contains seven uncapped players in the starting XV and six on the bench.

Horie packs down either side of debutant Satoshi Nakatani and the side’s most experienced player Kensuke Hatakeyama, who will be playing his 76th game for his country.

The second row sees an all new paring of Kyosuke Kajikawa and Samuela Anise, while Amanaki Lelei Mafi is joined in the back row by Uwe Helu and Yuhimaru Mimura, both of whom will be making their international debuts.

Fumiaki Tanaka pairs up again with Yu Tamura at halfback and with Tatekawa at 12, the backs have plenty of experience and leadership.

Tatekawa is partnered in the centres by Amanaki Lotohea, who like wing Lomano Lava Lemeki will be playing his first game for his adopted country.

Akihito Yamada and Kotaro Matsushima make up the rest of the backline

“Against their big forwards we need to be smart, kick and take the ball to space,” said Tatekawa.

Reserve hooker Takeshi Kizu and lock Kotaro Yatabe are joined by six players who will make their debuts if they come off the bench.

Koki Yamamoto and Heiichiro Ito are the back-up props, Malgene Ilaua and Matsuhashi cover the back row, with scrumhalf Takahiro Ogawa and Timothy Lafaele the reserve backs.

“We think the game is going to be really fast and will have its toll on our forward pack so we have decided to have six forwards on the bench and hopefully that will pay dividends for us,” Joseph said.