Joseph Hopeful Players Will Perform to Potential

TOKYO (Nov. 4) New Japan coach Jamie Joseph said the coaches had done their bit, it was now up to the players to perform when Japan take on Argentina at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on Saturday.

“We have done a lot of talking this week,” he said. “I feel as coaches we have done a good job preparing the players. Tactically we have given them an understanding of how we can perform well and beat these guys but now it’s really up to the players.”

Joseph said the set piece would be a key area and if Japan can be competitive in the tight then they could carry that over to other areas of the game.

“The big point for us is that we can handle their set piece and make sure they don’t put us under too much pressure when it comes to scrum and line-out. One way of doing that is not making mistakes so we don’t have any scrums. We also want to keep the game really fast.”

“We have to be a smart rugby team because we don’t possess the same physical attributes as the opposition. We need to play to our strengths and be confident in our plans and abilities.”

Harumichi Tatekawa, one of the two co-captains in the squad said the first 20 minutes would be very important.

“They have strong forwards so we need to be patient and control the game,” he said. “In the forwards we need to attack the ball carrier and in the backs we need good line speed and make sure there is no space for their No. 10.”

There will be a minute’s silence before the game to honour former national team captain and coach Seiji Hirao and Joseph, who played under Hirao for Japan at Rugby World Cup 1999, said it would be an emotional moment.

“It does have a special meaning for me. I enjoyed being coached by Hirao-san. (Scrum coach) Shin (Hasegawa) and I have been talking all week about Seiji and what a huge loss he has been to rugby. He will be sorely missed and we will acknowledge him tomorrow before the game.”