Tokyo (AFP)
Japan, host country of the World Rugby Championship (20 September-2 November), is ready to give "150%" to reach at least the quarterfinals of the World Cup, assured Thursday the coach Jamie Joseph, by announcing his list of 31 players.
"The team's goal is to be in the top eight for the first time in the history of Japanese rugby," Joseph told reporters.
For this, Japan can rely on Michael Leitch, his iconic captain, back from injury.
At the 2015 World Cup, the Japanese, then led by Eddie Jones, had won three games, including an astonishing victory over South Africa (34-32).
For this World Cup, "the staff and players will give themselves 150%, will that be enough, only time will tell," said Joseph.
"Our game is based on speed, skill and structure," added the former All Black. "But the main difference this year is that we are fit enough to put this game in. We are training at a level 25% higher than our matches - I think it's our main weapon."
Japan will enter the World Cup against Russia in the opening match of the competition on 20 September in Tokyo.
Currently 9th in the world rugby hierarchy, the Japanese are in group A which includes, besides Russia, Ireland, Scotland and Samoa.
The group of 31 players:
Forwards (18): Keita Inagaki, Yusuke Kizu, Koo Ji-won, Isileli Nakajima, Asaeli Ai Valu, Takuya Kitade, Atsushi Sakata, Shota Horie, Luke Thompson, Wimpie van der Walt, Uwe Helu, James Moore, Hendrik Tui, Yoshitaka Tokunaga, Michael Leitch (captain), Pieter Labuschagne, Kazuki Himeno, Amanaki Mafi
Back (13): Kaito Shigeno, Fumiaki Tanaka, Yutaka Nagare, Yu Tamura, Rikiya Matsuda, Kenki Fukuoka, Ataata Moeakiola, Lomano Lemeki, William Tupou, Ryoto Nakamura, Timothy Lafaele, Kotaro Matsushima, Ryohei Yamanaka.
© 2019 AFP