The Samoa National Team, who will face the Japan National Team in their third match of the first round of the Rugby World Cup in France, are characterized by powerful rugby that makes the most of their physical strength. In addition, experienced players who have played for strong teams have been added to this tournament, making them a more formidable team than ever.
How should Japan fight? The key is likely to be "the scrum that has been strengthened."
table of contents
Players who have played for the national team of a strong team join
Powerful rugby is alive and well in this tournament
Samoa's challenges are:
For Japan to win
Open Table of Contents
table of contents
table of contents
Players who have played for the national team of a strong team join
Powerful rugby is alive and well in this tournament
Samoa's challenges are:
For Japan to win
【Click here for details】Japan National Team to face Samoa Squad announcement Himeno etc.
【Click here for details】What are the conditions for Japan to advance through the first round?
Players who have played for the national team of a strong team join
This is the third consecutive World Cup match between Japan and Samoa, with Japan winning the previous edition in England in 3 and the last Japan in 2015.
In the World Cup, Japan won two consecutive tournaments (2)
2015 World Cup: Japan 26-5 Samoa 2019 World Cup: Japan 38-19 Samoa
However, the Samoa National Team in this tournament is different from the previous teams.
In 2022, the international governing body of rugby, World Rugby, established a rule that allowed players to change the national team only once, and players who played for the powerhouse New Zealand and Australia national teams were added to the squad, greatly strengthening the squad. Veteran players were added to the team, adding a wealth of experience.
Former Australia international Christian Lealifano
【Former New Zealand National Team】
▽Steven Ruatua (FL・NO8) ▽Charlie Faumuina (PR)
[Former Australian National Team]
▽Christian Lealifano (SO), etc.
Former New Zealand international Ruatua, 32:
"Of course we can give experience, but we're not here to instruct other players, we hope they can set a good example by doing their job and take something out of it."
Jonathan Taumateine
Scrum-half Jonathan Taumateine, who is making his World Cup debut, spoke about the importance of the team's presence.
Taumateine
: "They bring a lot to us, the number one thing is leadership, which unites us and makes the team stronger."
Powerful rugby is alive and well in this tournament
The biggest feature of the Samoa National Team is their powerful rugby that makes the most of their physical strength.
In the first match against Chile, the forwards dominated the lineout and scrum, and all five tries were scored from set-pieces.
【Click here for details】Samoa National Team against Chile
【Click here for details】Samoa National Team against Argentina
Argentina match Strong tackles one after another
Despite the loss against Argentina, they made 141 successful tackles, nearly double Argentina's 76, and conceded only one try.
Towards the end of the match, the forwards pushed in front of the goal and scored a try.
Ahead of the next Japan match, Samoa National Team head coach Baobasamanaia Seilala Mapusua is determined to dominate with power.
Baobasamanaia Seirala Mapsua HC
Head Coach
Mapusua: "I enjoy the physical side of the game, I enjoy the collisions. I think that's our true strength. I don't worry too much about the game plan or think too much."
Samoa's challenges are:
Samoa have become a more formidable team than ever with experienced players added to their strength, but the challenges against Argentina became clear.
It's a mistake in the game.
Preempted at a numerical disadvantage
In the match against Argentina, one player was sent off for 1 minutes due to a yellow card for a tackle in the air, and the opponents were allowed to take the lead despite the small number of players.
Despite trailing by six goals, they committed a foul in the closing minutes of the match and scored a penalty goal against their opponents, and were unable to earn the bonus point "6" awarded for "losing by 7 points or less".
Argentina match PG to widen the gap
The two teams scored one try each, and the difference between Argentina and Samoa scored 1 on penalty goals.
For Japan to win
Japan is the point to win.
▽ Forwards compete equally on set-pieces, especially in
scrums that Japan have strengthened ▽ Make sure that they do not miss the opponent's mistakes and make sure they score
England scrum stabilizes
Although we lost to England in Japan, we have been able to combine equally in terms of scrums, and the players have become more confident.
In the test match held in July before the tournament, Japan lost to Samoa by a narrow margin of 7-22, but it will be interesting to see how they improve from there.