Japan make 2 changes for game against U.S.

TOKYO (June 12) – Japancoach Eddie Jones named his side Thursday for the game against the United States at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Saturday (Sunday 11.30 a.m. Japan time).

 

Jones was forced to make one change in the backs with Yoshikazu Fujita ruled out after injuring his right shoulder scoring the first of Japan’s three second-half tries last week as they fought back to beat Canada 34-25 in Burnaby, British Columbia.

 

Kenki Fukuoka returns from injury to replace Fujita on the wing, with the other change coming in the pack.

 

Japan’s most capped player, Hitoshi Ono, drops to the bench with Shoji Ito starting in the second row alongside Luke Thompson, who along with Justin Ives was singled out for his performance against the Canadians.

 

Ives, captain Michael Leitch and Ryu Koliniasi Holani will pack down behind Thompson and Ito in the back row, with Shota Horie, Masataka Mikami and Kensuke Hatakeyamalooking to repeat their good form in the front row.

 

Fumiaki Tanaka partners Harumichi Tatekawa at halfback, Male Sa’u and Yu Tamura line in the centres, withFukuoka, Akihito Yamada and Ayumu Goromaru forming the back three.

 

The reserve bench once again sees the Brave Blossomsemploy a 6:2 forwards, backs split.

 

Hisateru Hirashima, Takeshi Kizu and Hiroshi Yamashita cover the front row, Ono and Shinya Makabe the second row and Hendrik Tui the back row.

 

Atsushi Hiwasa is the reserve scrumhalf while former captain Toshiaki Hirose will cover the rest of the backs.