Japan head coach Jamie Joseph on Monday vowed to use six warmup games over the six months before the Rugby World Cup to field his best team out in France.
The Brave Blossoms, who reached their first World Cup knockout phase four years ago under Joseph on their home soil, will be looking to repeat the feat — or do even better — this year when they kick off their campaign against Chile on Sept. 10 before facing England, Samoa and Argentina in Pool D.
"We've got to make sure all our players are peaking at the right time," Joseph told a news conference. "We play our (opening) game against Chile, that is the most important game at the World Cup for us."
While the domestic League One playoff final is scheduled for May 20 and his Japan team activities are to kick into gear on June 9, Joseph revealed he plans to visit each club to hold talks with World Cup hopefuls.
"I think it's important for the players to understand that everyone has an opportunity, irrespective of where they are playing in League One," the 53-year-old said.
Two matches against a second-string All Blacks XV will kick off Japan's six-match World Cup preparations in July when they also face Samoa and Tonga. They play Fiji on Aug. 5 before traveling to face Italy on Aug. 26 for their final warm-up game.
After overcoming powerhouses Ireland and Scotland in the pool stage four years ago to reach their first quarterfinals, Joseph believes the Brave Blossoms can aim higher.
"I think the success from 2019, not just for myself but for the whole team, that gives a bit of realization that this team is good enough actually to go the whole way," he said.