25 Sports Thursday, September 19, 2019 Bag of nerves: Japan’s Leitch tense before World Cup opener ‘I’m so nervous I’ve been making all sorts of mistakes in training’ TOKYO: Japan captain said yesterday ‘SCARY’ RUSSIANS that he has been “all over the place” in practice in the “I never read Japanese newspapers but I’ve never run-up to this week’s opener against really considered us to be the favourites,” said the former Russia. The talismanic skipper, who missed a chunk of All Black, pointing to a narrow 32-27 win over a hulking the year with a groin injury, was named in a strong Russian side last November. “We have a lot of respect for Brave Blossoms side by Japan coach for Russia,” he added. “We were very lucky to win last time tomorrow’s Pool A clash in Tokyo. we played. I wouldn’t say we were favourites — I’d say But Leitch, joined by Japan stalwarts and we were even going into this Test match and if we don’t in an experienced starting line-up, admit- play our best we’re going to struggle.” ted he has been taken aback by the scale of the media Despite the absence of Fukuoka, Joseph has enough attention on the hosts in the run-up to the game. firepower in the shape of and “This is no normal turnout,” Leitch told a packed to leave Russia chasing shadows in news conference. “I’m so nervous I’ve been making all Tokyo. “We think we have the best guys for the job,” sorts of mistakes in training — there’s so many people insisted Joseph, who has kept Japan among the world’s and so many cameras. But I’m very proud to be part of top 10 rugby nations since taking over from Eddie the World Cup and to be captain of the Japan rugby Jones. “The team has prepared as well as ever before team.” Leitch, who orchestrated Japan’s jaw-dropping and we look forward to Friday night.” 34-32 victory over South Africa in their opening game Leitch called on Japan to thrive on the pressure of on England’s south coast four years ago, predicted that kicking off the tournament. “There’s been pressure for the home side would make history by reaching the over four years,” he said. “We’ve talked about it, con- knockout stage for the first time. fronted it. In terms of hyping the boys up, I don’t need “In 2015 everyone expected us to lose — even the to do that. We don’t need permission to play well — Japanese public,” said the Japan flanker. just go out and enjoy it.” However, the Japan captain “But when we beat South Africa, all eyes were on us. ended on a cautious note, warning of Russia’s feisty The next game against 30 million people nature. “Their mentality is quite scary,” he said. “Their watched on TV and even though we lost, it inspired martial arts fighters are so tough — even their sumo Japan. “This time we’ve got the opportunity to inspire wrestlers. I’m sure they’re going to bring it.” Japan again. We’ve trained well, prepared well and this TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) is presented jerseys of Japan’s national rugby team by the team’s will be Japan’s best World Cup ever.” Japan (15-1) captain Michael Leitch (2nd R) during a courtesy call by officials as part of the Webb Ellis Trophy Joseph, who will be without flying winger Kenki William Tupou; Kotaro Matsushima, Timothy tour, at Abe’s official residence in Tokyo, ahead of the start of the 2019 Rugby World Cup on September 20. —AFP Fukuoka (thigh strain), insisted Japan would not go into Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Lomano Lava Lemeki; Yu tomorrow’s game as favourites, despite the weight of Tamura, ; , Pieter van der Walt; Asaeli Ai Valu, Shota Horie, . Ji-won, Luke Thompson, , , evidence. Labuschagne, Michael Leitch; James Moore, Wimpie Replacements: Atsushi Sakate, Isileli Nakajima, Koo , . — AFP

nificant and there’s a completely different feel, so I sup- phase, likened Gregor Townsend’s Scotland side to a ‘Brewing’ Ireland pose that’s a culmination of what’s happened over the “box of tricks”, saying they liked to take calculated last couple of months into this week. risks while playing at a high tempo. “The build-up, the week, the buy-in, the grabbing “We need to expect the unexpected and try to get chomping at the hold of the week by not just the senior players but ahead of the game. “We need to make sure we create Russians plot everyone in the group has been very significant.” opportunities from our defence to combat that.” Farrell bit: Farrell Farrell, a former Wigan and Britain rugby league legend confirmed that centre , who missed the Japan shock in who had a brief spell in union as a player during which opening two games of the 2015 World Cup, was out for time he won eight caps for England and appeared at the weekend, but added that he was expected to be YOKOHAMA: World Rugby’s number one ranked team the 2007 World Cup, said experience was showing back for the second pool game, against Japan. WCup opener Ireland are peaking at just the right time, assistant through in a squad boasting almost 1,300 caps. “The progress has been great and he’s hitting all the coach said yesterday ahead of their World “We trained unbelieveably well on Monday,” he said. markers as far as a return to training etc so they’re hap- Cup opener against Scotland on the weekend. “As coaches we didn’t need to be on the field because py with how he’s progressing and hopefully he’ll keep TOKYO: Russia coach Lyn Jones said yesterday Such was the bite and desire at training, Farrell said, of the ownership. “We have experienced players... and that upward curve,” he said. Aside from hosts Japan, he had a cunning plan to ambush hosts Japan in that the coaches didn’t even need to be on the paddock they know what it takes to build through this week. Pool A also includes Russia and Samoa. this week’s Rugby World Cup opener, revealing in some sessions. “This week, there’s certainly a feel of “That’s what you want, they’re sorting themselves Progression from the pool for the two top finishers only that it involves a little mayhem. The something that’s brewing that’s of major importance to out and that’s where we want to be. “We are building would set up quarter-finals against the winners and Russians, known as the Bears, will tower over the squad,” said Farrell, who will take over from Joe because we don’t want to reach boiling point on runners-up from Pool B, likely to be a permutation of their opposite numbers when they line up in Schmidt after the Kiwi stands down as Ireland head Wednesday or Friday.” Farrell, who was defence coach and South Africa. That means Farrell Tokyo tomorrow, but few people are giving them coach after the World Cup. for England at the last World Cup when they became might only get to pitch himself against his son, current much chance of springing an upset against the “The intensity, the bite that’s in training is very sig- the first host nation to fail to progress from the pool England playmaker Owen, from the semi-finals. —AFP world’s 10th-ranked side. “With structured and organised sides like Japan you need to create chaos to get them to think for themselves,” Jones told AFP after nam- The big question: ing a full-strength side led by his skipper . “I don’t know if they’re educated to do that, Who will win but it’s all theory anyway. “We do have a plan,” added the former Wales international. “We have Rugby World Cup? got a formula and we think we can take Japan on and make life as difficult as possible for them.” Russia gave Japan a fright the last times the TOKYO: The 2019 edition of the Rugby World Cup is teams met in November, the Brave Blossoms being hailed as the most open ever, with several teams scraping a 32-27 victory in Gloucester. “We just considered serious contenders. Here are the main chal- need to enter that last 20 minutes with every- lengers: thing to play for,” said Jones. “Let’s be realistic — there’s probably a 20 NEW ZEALAND: THREE IN A ROW? percent of us winning the game,” he admitted Bookmakers’ favourites to win an unprecedented ahead of the Pool A fixture. Jones pointed to third straight title, the mighty All Blacks tuned up for wingers Kirill Golosnitskiy and German Davydov their Cup defence with a 92-7 demolition of and as potential match-winners for Russia if the with three former World Rugby Players of the Year in Japanese fail to fire. their ranks, they remain the team to beat in Japan. “They’re fantastic players and they know the Coach has challenged his players to way to the line,” the former flanker, who only embrace the pressure and it will take a momentous per- took charge of Russia last year, said. “But we formance to prise the trophy from the likes of Beauden appreciate the 10 years advantage Japan have Barrett, and Kieran Reid. over us and that they’re entering the game as But some chinks in the armour have emerged. They firm favourites. relinquished the Rugby Championship to South Africa “We’ve fit four years of preparation into one after being held 16-16 at home, and slumped to a year,” he added. “We don’t know what to expect record defeat to the Wallabies after Scott Barrett’s con- but we know it’s going to be fast and furious.” troversial red card. Russia’s results have been a mixed bag in the They also lost their long-term position as the world’s TOKYO: Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe points at the Webb Ellis Trophy during a courtesy call by World Rugby build-up to their second World Cup appearance, number one team, first to Wales and then Ireland, and officials as part of the Webb Ellis Trophy tour, at Abe’s official residence in Tokyo. —AFP and first since 2011, which included a record 85- head into the World Cup second in the rankings. 15 pummelling by Italy. The Pool B clash between the All Blacks and the “Look we’re not playing a different level — Springboks promises to be the crunch match of the tournament ranked top after beating Wales home and of Brighton”. This time around, England boast enviable we’re playing a different sport,” shrugged Jones, early stages and could have a huge bearing on who away in warm-up games. Much rests on the shoulders firepower up front with number eight and whose side face further pool games against emerges victorious in Yokohama on November 2. of current World Player of the Year Johnny Sexton, with lock capable of making significant line Ireland, Scotland and Samoa. “The ball is the the 34-year-old playmaker suffering a drop in form in breaks, and pace out wide with Jonny May and Elliot same shape, but it’s tier-one rugby and it’s some- SPRINGBOKS: CAN HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? recent months. Daly. They have twin playmakers in and thing we don’t play very often.” South Africa waited 12 years between their two And the injuries that have blighted previous cam- George Ford and come into the tournament with confi- Artemyev, his country’s record try scorer, World Cup triumphs in 1995 and 2007 and are hoping paigns — an injury-ravaged squad lost 43-20 to dence high after destroying the Irish 57-15 at called on Russia to rise to the challenge. the pattern repeats itself in 2019. If Siya Kolisi, the first Argentina in the 2015 quarter-final — already threaten Twickenham. “Through the last week we’ve had an unprece- black player to captain the Springboks at a World Cup, to strike again, especially in the back line. But the canny Jones is taking nothing for granted. dented amount of attention,” said the 32-year- lifts the , it would be an image to rival Star centre Robbie Henshaw has a hamstring injury “Are we moving in the right direction? Yes. Are we old. “It’s a bit unusual for our boys — we’re the famous picture of then skipper Francois Pienaar that has ruled him out of Ireland’s critical first Pool A ready to win the World Cup now? No,” he said after quite humble players and don’t get this exposure receiving the trophy from Nelson Mandela. encounter with Scotland, and they are also sweating on the Ireland match. in Russia. Coming off the back of their first southern hemi- the fitness of fullback . “But it’s going to be awesome and everyone is sphere title in 10 years, the Springboks will fancy their But Joe Schmidt’s Ireland have shown they can beat WALES: CAN THE DRAGON ROAR? hugely motivated. We’ve put in the work and chances and the advantage of having the All Blacks in the best, with two historic wins over the All Blacks — The proud rugby nation will be hoping to send talis- now we’re looking to get results.” their pool is that they cannot face them again until the one on neutral territory in Chicago — and the will want manic skipper Alun and Kiwi coach Warren final. Coach Rassie Erasmus has been lauded for a to give the departing coach a World Cup to add to his Gatland out on a high after a run of 11 home wins from Russia (15-1) “miraculous” turnaround in South Africa’s rugby for- three Six Nations titles. 2017 that saw them briefly occupy the top of the world Vasily Artemyev; German Davydov, Vladimir tunes, only two years after suffering a 57-0 humiliation rankings. But while Gatland has led Wales to three Ostroushko, Dmitry Gerasimov, Kirill at the hands of arch-rivals New Zealand — the heaviest ENGLAND: THE JONES EFFECT? Grand Slams, limited success against the southern Golosnitskiy; Yury Kushnarev, Vasily Dorofeev; defeat in the history of the Green and Gold. Never has a host team failed to make the World Cup hemisphere powerhouses — including 11 straight losses Nikita Vavilin, Tagir Gadzhiev, Vitaly Zhivatov; “Rassie has taken us out of a dark space and put us quarter-finals. Yet that was the humiliating fate suffered against the All Blacks — has raised doubts about their Bogdan Fedotko, Andrey Ostrikov; Kirill in a good place,” said South African rugby boss Mark by England in 2015 and they will be desperate to make World Cup-winning pedigree. Injuries have also Gotovtsev, Stanislav Selskii, Alexander. How good a place only time will tell. amends in Japan. blighted Wales’ preparation, with influential number Replacements: Evgeny Matveev, Andrei Their not-so-secret weapon? Australian coach eight Taulupe Faletau and in-form fly-half Gareth Polivalov, Azamat Bitiev, Andrey Garbuzov, Anton IRELAND: BREAKING THE Q-F CEILING? Eddie Jones, who has extensive experience in Japan Anscombe not making the plane to Japan, while assis- Sychev, Dmitry Perov, Ramil Gaisin, Vladislav Desperate to overcome the jinx of never having won after leading the Brave Blossoms, who memorably beat tant coach was sent home over an alleged Sozonov. — AFP a World Cup knock-out match, Ireland come into the the Springboks 34-32 in the 2015 World Cup’s “miracle breach of betting regulations. —AFP