Japan get set to kick off A5N campaign

FUKUOKA (April 19) – Japan coach Eddie Jones was confident his side would be able to put aside the limited time it has spent together and get its 2013 HSBC Asian 5 Nations campaign off to a winning start.

“We are not perfectly prepared for tomorrow and I expect some rustiness,” he said Friday following the team’s traditional captain’s run ahead of Saturday’s game against the Philippines at Level 5 Stadium.

“We will need to work hard, especially the way we play with ball in hand, but I am expecting a pretty solid game tomorrow. It’s going to be a good first-up test for us.”

The game marks the start of the qualifying process for the 2015 Rugby World Cup with the winner of next year’s A5N guaranteed a place in England in two year’s time, and the runners-up getting a shot at qualifying through the repecharge.

But Jones said that hadn’t affected the way he had prepared for the game.

“I always want to play well. This is the best 23 given everyone’s condition. We will continue like this for the next game and then make a decision based on performance and the tournament structure for the final two games.”

Jones said there were areas the team needed to develop talent, and said the reason he had picked such a big pack was out of necessity.

“As we did in Europe last year we have picked a left and right flanker rather than a specialized No. 7, because we have not found the right player yet who can play 7 at international level.”

Jones also said the front row forwards had worked very hard on improving their strength but there was still a long way to go.

Team captain Toshiaki Hirose said the team had prepared well and that he was hopeful of getting the season off to a good start.

When asked about Saturday’s opponents – who have six players based in the Japan Rugby Top League – Hirose said: “Their backs are physical and good players. We need to keep our shape, work on our communication and linkage and play to our strengths.”