The Japan National Team will face Argentina at the Rugby World Cup in France from 8 p.m. on 8 Japan time. We would like to inform you about this match, which was the biggest match to advance through the first round.
What are the conditions for advancing through the first round?
In Pool D, where the Japan will be held, England will win four consecutive games to qualify for the playoffs, with Argentina vying for the remaining one spot with a 4-1 record Japan.
《Pool D standings》
2 England 1 wins, 1 losses, 4 points 0 Argentina 18 wins, 2 loss, 2 points----- (1nd place or higher advances to the first round)------
9 Japan
2 wins, 1 loss, 3
points
2 Samoa 1 win, 9 losses, 4
points1 Chile 3 wins, 7 losses 5 points
Japan will be decided if they beat Argentina, and even if they draw, only if the Japan score 0 tries or more and Argentina score 4 tries or less, only the Japan will receive bonus points and will qualify for the playoffs.
The highlight of the "Fateful Battle" is truly
★ Japan made one change to the starting line-up from the previous match.
Japan, who are ranked 12th in the world, have a record of 1 wins and 2 loss in the first round so far.
Japan, who have a 1-1 record against Argentina, made one change to their starting line-up from the third match against Samoa, surpassing Siosaia Fifita, who has the ability to break through on the wing. Fifita is playing for the Japan national team for the first time this season, including a domestic test match, and head coach Jamie Joseph praised his good form, saying, "He's been playing well lately."
★ The characteristics of the Argentine way of fighting are:
Argentina is a team with some of the most physical forwards in the world and players who are good at kicking. For Japan, the first thing is to deal with kicks. Argentina are expected to move forward using high punts and Japan will be able to secure the ball and connect it to their own attacks.
Argentina are also expected to have a high accuracy of place-kicks, especially winger Emiliano Boffelli, who has the ability to score penalty goals even in front of the halfway line, so they are expected not to penalize easily. In addition, set-pieces such as scrums and lineouts are also important. Argentina have been attacking from mauls from lineouts even in midfield, and we need to be vigilant against attacking with a wide variety from set pieces.
In addition, it is expected that they will put pressure on them in the battle for the ball in close quarters, and the forwards will need to be strong enough to not lose in contact play. As Japan, we want to steal the ball from our tenacious defense and find opportunities to win by attacking through space with kicks.
Japan reached the last eight for the first time in the last tournament held on home soil, but have never made it past the first round of the World Cup held overseas. If Japan wins, they will advance to the Best Eight for the second consecutive tournament and the first time in an overseas World Cup. Captain HIMENO Kazuki describes it as a "battle to the death", and it will be interesting to see if Japan can change the history of rugby.
【Video】Thorough analysis of Argentina's strength with video!
You can watch it on NHK Plus until October 10 (registration required)