Japan Remain Upbeat Despite Loss to Pumas

TOKYO (Nov. 6) – Japan may have fallen to a 54-20 defeat to Argentina on Saturday, but new head coach Jamie Joseph and the players remained upbeat as they head to Europe for tests against Georgia, Wales and Fiji.

“In that first 20 and last 20 you saw the attitude I’m looking for out of this team,” Joseph said.

“At the start we had plenty of energy, put pressure on Argentina and created a lot of opportunities. And with the game gone in the last 20 we saw the attitude of a team that never wants to give in. That try of (Lomano Lava) Lemeki is a sign of things to come.”

It was a theme expanded on by Harumichi Tatekawa, who is one of two co-captains in the squad.

“They were very strong, but we never gave up until the end and I think the team will continue to improve. We just need to keep believing in ourselves. We played the game at tempo and managed to score some tries, which was good. We have a lot to things to work on and we need to start looking toward the next game right away.”

Joseph pointed out the side had had limited time together in comparison to the Pumas, who played in the Rugby Championship.

“Argentina have played New Zealand, South Africa and Australia twice each, while we’ve had one scrum session,” he said.

The former Japan and New Zealand international also said his side had struggled slightly with the physical intensity of the visitors.

“I thought the intensity of the game was at a level that we’re not used to in the Top League. Even though we had a lot of passion, we were put under a lot of pressure and made a lot of mistakes and conceded some easy tries.”

Shota Horie, the other co-captain in the squad, said the side had “made mistakes when we tried to maintain possession … We have to look at what did and didn’t work ahead of the match against Georgia.”

“This team has just begun. I hope the players and fans work together as ‘One Team’ as we head toward Rugby World Cup 2019.”