Brown says Japan well prepared for RWC opener

TOKYO (Sept. 19) – Japan assistant coach Tony Brown said Thursday his team had prepared well and were ready to begin their Rugby World Cup campaign against Russia on Friday at Tokyo Stadium.
     “It’s been an enjoyable week and they have not been nervous at all,” he said. “The players played against the All Blacks here so no problem with them being too nervous against Russia, it’s not an issue for us.”
     “The players are keen to get out there but we have an experienced group of leaders so those guys have got the team under control and they understand what they have to do.”
     One of those leaders is scrumhalf Yutaka Nagare.
     “I have a great sense of responsibility,” the 27-year-old said. “I know the team and the country have high expectations playing in the first game and I want to play with responsibility. I believe I’ll be nervous but I will try to communicate with as many players as I can and control the game by linking them together.”
     Nagare said the key to beating Russia was to play fast-paced rugby and execute the game plan installed by Brown and head coach Jamie Joseph.
     “The first thing is to carry the ball into space,” he said. “Whether it’s through a pass, a run or a kick depends on where the space is and what the particular situation is like.”
     Brown, meanwhile, said he expected Russia to employ a kicking a game.
     “Russia are good at kicking the ball but we need to be pressuring them and turning them into counter attacks. We are good in the air with the high ball and being able to move the ball quickly will be important.”

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