Rugby Japan National Team “ONE TEAM” showed potential to the world Oct 21 at 0:01
The Japan National Rugby team made a historic achievement in this tournament, although it was defeated in the quarterfinals, making it into the first 8 best. Many foreigners come to the world and show that they can be more than equal to the powerhouses that excel in physique by becoming a “ONE TEAM” where players of various cultures are united strongly. Showed sex.
Indispensable "ONE TEAM"
4 years ago, Japan won the final tournament while winning a historic victory called the “upset of the century” from the strongest South Africa at the previous tournament, and participated in the world ’s highest league, Super Rugby, for the Japan tournament. We have been working to strengthen it.
And three years ago, Jamie Joseph Head Coach took office, and the theme was “ONE TEAM”, a strong unity as a team.
For Japan, which tends to be inferior to the powerhouse, powerful foreign players are indispensable.
The representative of Japan is a multinational team that has people from seven countries, including Japan, and gathers various languages and cultures.
For this reason, raising awareness as a representative of Japan and communicating with each other and having the same vision was indispensable for winning the powerhouse.
Judgment and action
On top of that, what Joseph Headcoach demanded was the autonomy that can be said to be the strength of the spirit that each player judges and acts on their own.
Captain's Reach Not only Michael, but also a leader, regardless of country of origin, was conscious of pulling the team in areas such as attack and defense.
Meetings with only players who were not in the previous tournament will increase, discuss the tactics and plans presented by the coach, ask questions again, and leave them alone.
In addition, we proposed ideas for team building and raised the unity with the consciousness of creating a team called the Japanese national team.
“I love South Africa, but I love Japan. Japan is my team and my new home. I am proud of the team to all of Japan. I was impressed to talk to you.
Growth seen before the tournament and on the stage of the World Cup
In the test match before the tournament, you can see the growth of autonomy to judge the situation on your own, showing flexibility such as frequently using kicks according to the game plan or sealing the kicks in the middle based on the opponent's fighting method. It was.
And the world cup we greeted.
In addition to flexibility, the representative from Japan has a long and rigorous practice of “off-road pass” and other attacks that are not afraid of risk, such as a double tackle with a sharp start, and Irish and one of the strongest players, Scotland. I broke it.
Ireland and Scotland were the world's top 10 teams called “Tier 1”, and this was the first time that they had won “Tier 1”.
Set contents such as scrums and lineouts, which have been weak points in Japan for many years, have been stable, especially in scrums, and there were scenes where they could beat Ireland, symbolizing the evolution of Japan.
In this way, Japan achieved its first best 8 in all four primary league wins.
Behind this excitement, the players who did not participate during the tournament analyzed the characteristics of their opponents, became aware of the intensity of the opponent and became a practice platform, and each played a role There is.
No. 8 Kazuki Himeno, who was a young promising young man and showed his best performance against the world ’s top players, said, “I can say with confidence that the concept of“ Tier 1 ”has been broken. I was able to communicate the ability to devote myself to the world. "
Also, Wing ’s Kenki Fukuoka, who showed a world-class speed, said, “We have overcome the hard camp many times and created“ ONE TEAM ”, and we have a team that can trust each other and fight. "This undoubtedly is a factor in the progress of this tournament, and the support of Japanese people is definitely helping."
However, in the quarter-finals, there were a number of players who hurt their body before the opponent's overwhelming power, although they were in the same half of the first half against South Africa, a candidate for victory.
The second half was inferior due to scrums and crowded defenses, and repeatedly scored in trials and penalty goals by repeated fouls, and the final was a complete defeat.
After the game, appreciative applause was sent from about 50,000 spectators, and a sense of accomplishment came from the appearance of athletes with tears and smiles struggling.
The challenges we saw for further progress
It is the first time that the Japanese national team has collided with strong overseas players for the fifth consecutive week on the world's best stage, and it cannot be denied that physical fatigue has been accumulated. In this tournament, of the 31 players, Japan fought with almost fixed members with no opportunity to participate.
On the other hand, most of the powerhouses that have won the best 8 have all 31 players in the primary league.
Furthermore, the thinness of the layer is also felt in some positions, and it seems that the issue of “players” that Joseph Head Coach has frequently pointed out can be said to have emerged last.
However, it can be said that if the layer can be thickened, the ability to win the World Cup will increase, and in the future, in addition to nurturing young players, such as Ishiri Nakajima who has deliberately supported Scrum, etc. by switching from No. 8 to Prop in Japan It is also important to find human resources.
Under the head of Joseph head coach, “I've sacrificed a lot”, the Japanese players who have accumulated a lot of rugby devoted themselves to the first 8 best in the pride and confidence of the host country Grabbing and showing to the world the strength to be able to cross over with the strong man who wins by physique.
For the French tournament four years from now, by raising the base while inheriting the foundation to win the powerhouse, it became a tournament where the “Sakura Warriors” could see a further leap forward.