Wisemantel: Positives despite loss

GLOUCESTER (Nov. 12) – Despite the score, Japan stand-in coach Scott Wisemantel said there were still positives to be taken from Tuesday night’s 40-5 loss to Gloucester, “We showed that we were very positive with ball in hand but we have got to work on our skill issues,” he said after the game.

It was a point also highlighted by game captain Takashi Kikutani.

“We put ourselves in a position to score many times but our individual skill and fundamental play let us down,” the No. 8 said. “It’s something we need to fix.”

Wisemantel said one of the main issues that needed to be addressed was Japan’s tendency to give up the ball at the breakdown, allowing the dangerous Gloucester backs the chance to launch counter-attacks.

“We put so much into attack and then turned the ball over that there was space for them to attack,” he said. “We need to react quicker and look at why we are turning the ball over.”

When asked about the officiating, Wisemantel said that the team had struggled with Ian Tempest’s interpretation, especially at the breakdown and scrum.

“We’ve got to adjust, it’s part of the game,” he explained. “We’ve got to look at how the laws are interpreted and adjust.”

Kikutani said the Gloucester defence wasn’t as tough as he had thought it would be, and said the Japan players needed to read the situation better and then retain the ball.

Japan should be back in the West Country city in two year’s time as Asia’s representative at Rugby World Cup 2015 has two games at Kingsholm.

“It was good to play here and get a test run of the ground and facilities,” said Wisemantel.