Japan confident ahead of Russia test

COLWYN BAY (Nov.14) – Japan go into Friday’s test with Russia in confident mood despite having arrived in North Wales on the back of two straight losses on the European tour and three including the game against the All Blacks in Tokyo.

“We know what we need to do in the game,” said captain Toshiaki Hirose. “We have been improving little by little. I am not worried we lost the last two games. We just need to do what we have to. Our attack has gradually improved. We just need to eliminate the silly mistakes. We are ready for the game.”

Stand-in coach Scott Wisemantel praised the medical staff for getting the team ready for their third game in six days.

“We had to give every player the best possible chance to be selected,” he said, referring to the delay in announcing the team. “That’s the biggest difficulty in the short turnaround. The staff and players have done very well preparing for the game.”

Wisemantel said he had picked “the best members at moment in the best condition,” and that the squad had worked hard in training.

“We have spoken a lot about the breakdown over the last two days, especially the way it is refereed over here,” he said. “It seems to be more of a contest over here.”

Hitoshi Ono said the key to the game would be the breakdown and the ability of the forwards to provide quick ball for the backs.

He also said that Japan needed to make sure they gave away as little ball as possible for Russia’s dangerous back three to exploit.

“We can’t go back to Japan with any more losses,” he said.