Rugby Japan national team head coach Jamie Joseph held a press conference about half a year before the opening of the World Cup.
That's the main statement.
Japan National Rugby Team Jamie Joseph Head Coach
I started as the head coach of the Japan national team in 2016, and the last World Cup was a really great tournament.
And we can start gathering players again.
I am very excited.
He had test matches against Uruguay, France and others last year.
After a short break, the game started again and the players have been playing ever since.
We want to give our players some rest after League One this season.
Of course, in the meantime, I would like to have them continue their individual practice and call the players again in June.
After a long season, players believe that good rest will help them perform well.
Give some rest to players from teams that didn't make the Top Four after the regular season of League One.
They will then meet on June 9th for a training camp ahead of their match against New Zealand's second team.
If we compare the training camp to a jumbo jet, we would like to gradually raise the plane over the course of June and July.
New Zealand's second team is made up of players who weren't selected for the All Blacks and are very motivated.
I think we need to play a tough match there.
After that, they will play against Samoa, Tonga and Fiji in test matches.
I become very strong physically.
In particular, Samoa will be our opponents in the World Cup, so it will be a valuable experience for us to play against them before that.
After that, the training camp will be moved to Italy to play against the Italian national team.
Italy is the perfect team to play against before the World Cup.
Although he is ranked 13th in the world, he beats the Australian national team.
They are showing great performance in the "Six Nations" where 6 strong European teams compete.
In terms of knowing our current situation, playing against Italy at the end before the tournament will be a good match for the World Cup.
Q&A with Joseph Head Coach
Q.
narrowing down of members.
A.
We are trying out a lot of players in test matches.
I know there are a lot of great players in League One as well.
I have been coaching in Japan for seven years, but the level of League One and the level of the international are different to some extent.
This year, I would like to take steps to select players.
Q.
About League One this season.
A.It
is important that the top teams compete with each other.
Playing a lot of games like that, the players will grow by getting through the games.
I think it is important to have such games before the World Cup.
Every player has a chance.
When reviewing the members in June, I would like to take a closer look at the players.
The purpose of the training camp is to connect with each other.
I want to convey a consistent message to the players.
Q.
Half a year ago, what is your current state of mind and determination?
A.
The 2019 World Cup and building a team for it was a great experience.
That process is still the same.
The success of 2019 was not just me.
For the World Cup, we have to make sure that the players reach their peak.
First of all, the first match against Chile is the most important match.
After that, the match against England is very important.
The basic idea is the same, but we want to move forward one game at a time.
Q.
What do you want to strengthen?
A.
When the Japanese national team fights Tier 1, they will target their scrum.
In the match against England last year, we were targeted for that and got a penalty and lost confidence as a team.
But when we can do what we do in set-pieces, we can put pressure on our opponents, like we did against New Zealand.
First, it is important to perform the forward set plays well.
The second reason is that the backs of the Japanese national team do not have many large players, so the opponents often use kicks.
Forwards must put pressure on their opponents.
Last but not least is defense.
Japan's players are very fit and have a lot of skill, but more than half of the game the opponents have possession of the ball and they have to tackle for a long time.
That's why I think it's important to strengthen the defense.
Q.
communication with the players.
A.
Last year, I think it was the first time for the Japanese national team to play 5 tough matches against Tier 1 players, and it was a great experience.
He talked a lot with the players and discussed how he should play.
The key is to connect with the players again.
He was highly motivated as a player and he felt he was preparing well.
I think feedback to the players is very important.
Talking face to face with the players is worth it.
Until now, due to the influence of Corona, there are some parts that could not be done easily.