Japan’s Head Coach Drops Rugby Star Ahead of Game against France

Fri Nov 18 2022
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PARIS: Japan’s Rugby team head coach Jamie Joseph said on Friday ex-Clermont winger Kotara Matsushima was dropped from the team for Autumn Nation Series game against France.

Japan Head Coach interaction with media 

He said that the player had been dropped to the bench due to physicality problems. Shogo Nakano has replaced Matsushima for Sunday’s match in Toulose. Head coach of Japan told the media that they want a physicality and Kotara Matsushima is a key on attack but they get a lot of pressure on defense.

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The head coach of Japan has also made four changes in the in the team since lost match against English team. Josehp said that their approach behind their team is to give these men an opportunity to test their abilities under high pressure. He remarked that it is significant for the World Cup to make a good team.

japan regby
TOPSHOT – France’s Dylan Cretin (L) and Yoan Tanga (R) tackle Japan’s Wimpie van der walt (C) during the rugby union international Test match between Japan and France at Toyota Stadium in Toyota City, Aichi prefecture on July 2, 2022. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Squad

  • Ryohei Yamanaka
  • Dylan Riley
  • Shogo Nakano
  • Ryoto Nakamura
  • Siosaia Fifita
  • Seungsin Lee
  • Naoto Saito
  • Kazuki Himeno
  • Pieter Labuschagne
  • Michael Leitch
  • Jack Cornelsen
  • Warner Dearns
  • Jiwon Gu
  • Atsushi Sakate (capt)
  • Keita Inagaki

Replacements:

  • Kosuke Horikoshi
  • Craig Millar
  • Shuhei Takeuchi
  • Wimpie van der Walt
  • Tevita Tatafu
  • Yutaka Nagare
  • Hayata Nakao
  • Kotaro Matsushima

Coach:

  • Jamie Joseph

APP

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