20 June,2014
Jones expects tough battle in season finale
TOKYO (June 20) – Japan coach Eddie Jones said he expected Italy to play a tight physical game when the two sides meet Saturday at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
Jones made special reference to three veterans in the pack – hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, lock Marco Bortolami and flanker Mauro Bergamasco – when he asked what game plan the Italians would bring to the stadium, for what is the final test of the season for both sides.
“They are going to play to their strengths,” Jones said. “They’ve got a hooker with over 60 caps Bortolami has over 100 and Bergamasco is going to play his 100th test. So I doubt they will play away from that.”
Jones then pointed out that the levels of rugby generally played by the players was vastly different.
“We play in the Asian 5 Nations and they play in the Six Nations,” he said. “So let’s not kid ourselves. We will have to play at our very best to win. But if we get our maul and scrum defence right then I am confident we can win. But it will be tough.”
Jones said it was vital his side got off to a good start in what is their only game against a Six Nations side before Rugby World Cup 2015.
“We need to be in front at halftime,” he said. “We can’t meander into the game and give them a chance. In test rugby there are no second chances. Hopefully we can play our best 80 minutes of the season tomorrow. But we need to take the game by the throat.”
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